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Freelance Relay Protection Engineer Jobs in Kenner, LA

Job Summary/Purpose Provides leadership for the engineering activities within Relay Settings ... as a protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. The Entergy ...

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Freelance Relay Protection Engineer information

See Kenner, LA salary details

$12

$39

$108

How much do freelance relay protection engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance relay protection engineer in Kenner, LA is $39.01, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.86 and $50.53 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 job categories do people searching Freelance Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Kenner, LA look for?

The top searched job categories for Freelance Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Kenner, LA are:

Infographic showing various Freelance Relay Protection Engineer job openings in Kenner, LA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 5% Nights. Highlights an 73% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 25% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,135 per year, or $39 per hour.

Engineer I-Sr- Risk Controls Relay Protection & Control Engineer

New Orleans, LA • On-site


Entergy

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 85 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

30th of 53 rated energy and utility

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Paid breaks


Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Engineer I-Sr- Risk Controls Relay Protection & Control Engineer
Work Place Flexibility: Onsite
Legal Entity: Entergy Louisiana, LLC
JOB SUMMARY/PURPOSE:
Provide technical reviews of work documents, strategies, and plans, including Protection and Control documents/prints, around the construction or maintenance phase as part of implementing the risk assessment process for all aspects of transmission work which could impact critical customers; Nuclear fleet, Industrial Customers, and other strategic customers. The primary focus of the risk assessment processes is identification of risk and ensuring eliminating or mitigating practices are implemented as applicable.
JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Implements risk control processes throughout transmission by providing input and direction to other groups on the interpretation of the process and procedure for all aspects of the Capital and O&M portfolio which could impact nuclear, industrial customers and other strategic customers. Implementation also involves fulfilling the following:
    • Provide/develop technical reviews of work strategies and documents pertaining to execution of work tasks being performed by all organizations within transmission.
    • Review documents developed to execute protection and control projects and/or maintenance tasks for accuracy pertaining to existing protection schemes and relay prints.
    • Apply knowledge of engineering principles as it pertains to protection and control.
    • Review outage durations to ensure they are appropriate and that no additional opportunities exist to shorten based on scope of work.
    • Review construction strategy to best reduce outage exposure and identify alternative construction practices that may reduce this exposure.
    • Identify risk by reviewing drawings and supporting documents associated with the work planned to take place and ways to manage, mitigate, or eliminate risk while identifying potential work bundling opportunities
    • Identifying mitigations that may include reviewing work instructions, isolations, station onelines, and by-pass options.
    • Serve as a primary contact for questions related to completing risk assessments while working in a team environment evaluating the reliability risk associated with activities in one or more of the following key areas; relay protection schemes, operations and planning, substation and transmission line practices
    • Lead, participate and/or develop procedures, metrics and training materials supporting implementation of risk processes across all of Transmission assets, as well as challenge transmission organizations, including Grid and Capital Projects, to apply consistent risk control process. These organizations will be challenged by asking them project specific questions pertaining to the above mitigations as necessary.
    • Lead critical evolution meetings with all necessary stakeholders centered on the risk profile of the tasks and projects being evaluated
    • Provide input to design engineers, construction engineers, planning, and project managers on ways to reduce the reliability risk while developing their project scope of work.
    • This input will consist of identifying when long duration outages add exposure to critical customers and when design engineers and construction engineers will need to develop alternative construction strategies.
    • Actively participate in project team meetings to discuss risk profiles in early development stages of proposed projects

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum Education:
Bachelor's degree in engineering Discipline (typically Electrical or Computer Engineering) from a four-year accredited institution.
Degrees in engineering technology (typically Electrical or Computer Engineering) from a four-year accredited institution with PE maybe considered.
Preferred: Electrical Engineering Degree
Minimum Experience:
  • Engineer I: 0 - 2 years of experience in an engineering discipline
  • Engineer II: 2 - 4 years of experience in an engineering discipline
  • Engineer III: 4 - 6 years of experience in an engineering discipline
  • Engineer Sr.: 6 + years of experience in an engineering discipline
  • Preferred: at least 2 years of experience in an engineering discipline

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Demonstrated ability to apply engineering principles.
  • Thorough understanding of procedures, programs, and standards in responsible area.
  • Good leadership skills.
  • Good interpersonal skills along with strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Excellent math skills.
  • Excellent project management skills.
  • Good knowledge of Personal Computer operations and related software.
  • Ability to manage multiple activities and changing priorities.
  • Ability to work well under pressure.
  • Required to work safely and follow all Entergy safety policies and procedures.
  • Ability to recognize hazards in the workplace and have the ability to mitigate the hazards.
  • Ability to recognize opportunities for process improvement and have the ability to enact change.

Preferred Skills and Abilities:
  • Proficiency in Short Circuit fault analysis and Relay Protection and Controls
  • Strong technical knowledge in designing protection schemes and relay settings for transmission and distribution assets.

Any Certificates, Licenses, etc.
Preferred: PE, FE
Primary Location: Louisiana-New Orleans Louisiana : New Orleans || Mississippi : Jackson || Texas : The Woodlands
Job Function: Corporate
FLSA Status: Professional
Relocation Option: No Relocation Offered
Union description/code: NON BARGAINING UNIT
Number of Openings: 1
Req ID: 124368
Travel Percentage:Up to 25%

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