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Freelance Relay Protection Engineer Jobs in Virginia

VA · On-site

$45.12 - $56.39/hr

Conduct protective relay testing, calibration, and programming for various manufacturers. * Perform circuit breaker and switchgear testing, including timing tests, primary and secondary injection ...

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Freelance Relay Protection Engineer information

What are some common challenges faced by freelance relay protection engineers when working with multiple clients or utilities?

Freelance Relay Protection Engineers often work with diverse clients, each with unique equipment, standards, and expectations. One common challenge is quickly adapting to different protection schemes and relay technologies used by various utilities or industrial facilities. Additionally, freelancers must efficiently manage their time and communication across multiple projects to meet deadlines and maintain quality. Building strong relationships and staying updated on industry standards are essential for overcoming these hurdles and ensuring client satisfaction.

What does a freelance relay protection engineer do?

A Freelance Relay Protection Engineer is a specialist who designs, tests, and maintains systems that protect electrical power systems from faults by ensuring relays and protection schemes operate correctly. They work independently or on a contract basis for utilities, industrial clients, or engineering firms, often performing studies, field testing, and commissioning of protective relays and associated equipment. Their responsibilities often include analyzing system data, troubleshooting protection issues, and helping to ensure the safety and reliability of electrical grids.

What is the difference between Freelance Relay Protection Engineer vs Substation Protection Engineer?

AspectFreelance Relay Protection EngineerSubstation Protection Engineer
CredentialsRelevant certifications in relay protection, electrical engineeringSimilar certifications, often with additional substation-specific training
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based, often remote or on-site at various locationsTypically on-site at substations, working within utility or power companies
Employer & IndustryFreelance/contract basis, consulting firms, power utilitiesPower utilities, electrical engineering firms, substation operators

Freelance Relay Protection Engineers and Substation Protection Engineers share similar technical skills and certifications. However, freelance engineers work independently on various projects, often remotely, while substation protection engineers are employed directly by utilities or companies working on-site at substations. Both roles focus on relay protection systems but differ mainly in employment type and work environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance relay protection engineer?

A Freelance Relay Protection Engineer requires strong knowledge of power system protection principles, relay coordination, and a relevant electrical engineering degree. Expertise in industry-standard software (like ETAP, SEL acSELerator, or PSCAD), as well as familiarity with protective relay hardware and applicable standards (such as IEEE or IEC), is typically necessary. Excellent problem-solving, analytical thinking, and communication skills help in managing projects independently and collaborating with clients or utilities. These competencies ensure accurate system protection, reliable project delivery, and compliance with critical safety and operational standards.
What are the most commonly searched types of Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Freelance Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Virginia? For Freelance Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Freelance Relay Protection Engineer jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Freelance Relay Protection Engineer job openings:

Relay Field Engineer 3 - Caroline County, VA

M.C. Dean, Inc

VA • On-site

$45.12 - $56.39/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago


M.C. Dean rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

287th of 441 rated engineering


Job description

About Modular Mission Critical
ModularMission Critical™ is the manufacturing campus for M.C. Dean’s complex, modular product line for datacenters and critical infrastructure. Located just north of Richmond, VA, this site is growing fast serving customers worldwide. Important openings include assemblers for our production lines and engineers and designers for products and continuous improvement. Join M.C. Dean’s more than 9,000 employees around the world making an impact through innovations in power and technology.

Why Join Us?
Our people are passionate about innovation that improves lives and drives impactful change. Guided by our core values—agility, expertise, and trust—we foster a collaborative and forward-thinking work environment for employees to build long-term careers.

In this role you will lead and perform inspection, testing, troubleshooting, maintenance, repair, and start-up of low and medium voltage electrical distribution equipment, including breakers, transformers, switches, switchgear, relays, and motor control centers, as well as other electrical apparatus both in the field and in a shop environment. An understanding of sophisticated electrical distribution systems as well as the use of complex electrical test equipment is required. You will contribute to a safe working environment for co-workers and customers and help ensure the overall success of projects. Local, regional, and national travel is required, ability to travel internationally is preferred.


  • Coordinate, lead, and support multiple projects both onsite and in-house utilizing various company software systems, review and maintain job documentation, ensuring completeness of information from receipt of order to invoice.
  • Perform testing of low and medium voltage cables, instrument and power transformers, switchgear, breakers, electro-mechanical and solid-state relays, and other electrical apparatus.
  • Contain material costs by eliminating wasteful practices and implementing appropriate control measures.
  • Rotate emergency on-call duty and if called respond to customer emergencies in a timely manner.
  • Promote an attitude of continuous improvement and teamwork.
  • Electronics Installation and/or Maintenance on Multiple Systems.
  • Using trade drawings e.g.: architectural, electrical, mechanical and civil to identify potential design and installation problems.

  • Applicants selected must have a minimum of 5+ years of relevant electrical experience with HS Diploma/GED OR an associate’s degree with minimum of 4+ years of relevant electrical experience OR a bachelor’s degree with minimum 3+ years of relevant electrical experience
  • Possess a valid/active U.S. Work Authorization

Expectations of Expertise & Knowledge:

  • NETA / NICET certification (preferred) or equivalent hands-on experience in electrical testing.
  • Strong understanding of ANSI, IEEE, NETA, NFPA, NEC, and OSHA electrical safety standards.
  • Ability to interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical manuals.
  • Proficiency in operating and troubleshooting protective relays, circuit breakers, transformers, switchgear, and other electrical equipment.
  • Experience with test equipment such as Doble, Omicron, Megger, Vanguard, and Fluke meters.
  • Understanding of insulation resistance, power factor, contact resistance, and high-potential (Hi-Pot) testing procedures.
  • Knowledge of medium and high-voltage systems (up to 500kV), including arc flash hazard analysis.
  • Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills with the ability to diagnose system failures.
  • Willingness to travel as needed and work in industrial, data center, and utility environments.
  • Ability to work safely under minimal supervision and follow industry best practices.
  • Perform acceptance and maintenance testing of electrical power systems, ensuring compliance with NETA standards
  • Conduct protective relay testing, calibration, and programming for various manufacturers.
  • Perform circuit breaker and switchgear testing, including timing tests, primary and secondary injection testing.
  • Troubleshoot electrical faults and perform root cause analysis for system failures.
  • Conduct transformer testing, including turns ratio, insulation resistance, and power factor testing.
  • Ensure adherence to electrical safety protocols, including lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures and PPE compliance.
  • Maintain detailed test reports and documentation for compliance and client review.
  • Collaborate with engineers, project managers, and clients to ensure efficient system commissioning and startup.
  • Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior technicians as needed.

Desired / Advantageous Qualifications:

  • OEM certified field service training program.

We offer an excellent benefits package including:

  • A competitive salary
  • Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • 401k Retirement Plan
  • Military Reserve pay offset
  • Paid maternity leave

Abilities:

  • The position requires the ability to lift, carry, and move objects weighing up to [50 pounds] on a regular basis. Candidates must demonstrate physical strength and stamina to perform various tasks, including but not limited to, loading, and unloading, operating equipment, and assisting in the transportation of various materials. Proper lifting techniques and safety protocols must be followed to ensure personal and team safety.
  • Relocates a 12-foot stepladder without assistance.
  • Works at various heights up to 60 feet and can climb and maintain balance on scaffolds, aerial lifts, catwalks and all types of ladders.
  • Walks, climbs, lifts, squats, crawls, kneels, pushes, pulls and reaches overhead on a routine and repetitive basis.
  • Possess good vision (may be corrected vision), the ability to see in color, and the ability to hear and communicate in English.
  • May use a standard ladder without exceeding the weight limit while carrying tools.
  • Tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (including finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • See details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

USD $45.12 - USD $56.39 /Hr.

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About M.C. Dean

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence®. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most recognizable mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. The company's capabilities include electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life-safety, instrumentation and control, and command and control systems. M.C. Dean is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, and employs more than 5,100 professionals who engineer and deploy automated, secure, and resilient power and technology systems; and deliver the management platforms essential for long-term system sustainability.

Industry

Engineering professional services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Tysons, VA, US

Year founded

1949

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