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Freelance Relay Protection Engineer Jobs in Washington

Power Systems Engineer

College Park, MD · On-site

$120K - $170K/yr

Protective relays / relay coordination * Building electrical loading calculations * Familiarity with IEEE standards and electrical engineering best practices * Strong understanding of electrical ...

M365 Platform Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$86K - $198K/yr

Join a growing M365 platform engineering team supporting enterprise-scale collaboration ... Protection, Threat Response Auto-Pull, and Secure Email Relay * Experience with PowerShell ...

Senior Electrical Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$121K - $158K/yr

Witness test procedure review, code interpretation, protective settings development ... Review RDB files and relay test reports * Certify mechanical completion on construction complete ...

Senior Electrical Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$121K - $158K/yr

Witness test procedure review, code interpretation, protective settings development ... Review RDB files and relay test reports * Certify mechanical completion on construction complete ...

Showing results 41-60

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 Washington? The most popular types of Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Washington are:
What are popular job titles related to Freelance Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Washington? For Freelance Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Freelance Relay Protection Engineer jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Freelance Relay Protection Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Freelance Relay Protection Engineer job openings in Washington as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Nights. Highlights an 73% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 24% Remote job distribution.

Power Systems Engineer

TAI

College Park, MD • On-site

$120K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

About the Role:
This role places you at the heart of a complex, mission critical energy environment where you'll serve as the hands on electrical engineering lead for major utility and distribution systems. You'll balance real world field engagement with technical analysis-walking systems, assessing conditions, and shaping the reliability and performance of essential electrical infrastructure. From power system studies to guiding upgrades and supporting capital improvements, you'll be the technical driver behind smarter, safer, and more resilient operations. If you thrive in active environments where engineering decisions have immediate, tangible impact, this position offers that challenge every day.
About TAI:
TAI brings together engineering, construction, systems integration, on-site services, and technical services - combining proven execution with trusted expertise to support clients across the entire project lifecycle. Team members at TAI are capable, well-rounded, flexible, and optimistic. We have found that the best employees are the ones who recognize the importance of what they do and the ones who let that guide them in the actions they take. More than any skill, we seek people who make decisions that support the common good. We work for our clients, and we work for one another.
Here's a glimpse into your day to day:
  • Conduct electrical system walkdowns and onsite assessments
  • Review existing electrical distribution systems and identify opportunities for improvement
  • Perform and support power system analysis including:
    • SKM modeling
    • Feeder loading analysis
    • Building electrical loading calculations
    • Relay coordination reviews
  • Evaluate electrical infrastructure reliability and system capacity
  • Review engineering reports, studies, and contractor deliverables
  • Provide technical recommendations and feedback on electrical system performance and improvements
  • Support preventative maintenance and reliability initiatives
  • Coordinate with operations, maintenance, engineering, and project teams
  • Assist with troubleshooting and root cause investigations
  • Ensure designs and recommendations align with IEEE standards and engineering best practices
  • Support instrumentation review and industrial process equipment evaluations as needed

You'll be a perfect fit if you have:
  • SKM modeling
  • Feeder loading analysis
  • Protective relays / relay coordination
  • Building electrical loading calculations
  • Familiarity with IEEE standards and electrical engineering best practices
  • Strong understanding of electrical distribution systems and infrastructure reliability
  • Ability to work onsite in an operating plant environment

Preferred Skills:
  • Experience supporting CAPEX or infrastructure upgrade projects
  • Central utility plant or campus energy system experience
  • Industrial process machinery exposure
  • Preventative maintenance and reliability program experience
  • Instrumentation review and design experience
  • Experience reviewing engineering studies and making technical recommendations
  • Experience working in critical infrastructure environments

Compensation and Benefits:
  • Pay: $120,000-170,000 annually (depending on experience)
  • Eligible for overtime pay
  • Annual Profit Sharing Bonus (variable)
  • PTO and Paid Holidays
  • Health Benefits: Employee through family level coverage for medical, dental, and vision insurances. Company funded life and long-term disability insurances. Short Term Disability, FSA, HSA, EAP, and supplemental life insurances (employee - family) are also available!
  • 401(k)with employer match

Other Offerings:
  • The opportunity to make a real impact on a variety of industry-leading projects.
  • The ability to balance your work and family activities.
  • Flexible work schedule
  • Work in a dynamic and collaborative environment that values creativity and innovation.
  • A chance to learn and grow alongside some of the brightest minds in engineering.
  • Professional Development, Tuition Reimbursement, and Association Membership Reimbursements.

Discover what makes TAI a top-20 manufacturing partner, according to Engineering News-Record (ENR), and one of the top-50 fastest-growing private companies in the Baltimore Business Journal. Learn more about us at www.tai.inc.