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Nerc System Operator Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Lead Professional, Electrical Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$181K - $189K/yr

Plan and incorporate future-ready techniques, concept development, operating strategies, and ... systems, and infrastructure. * Review electrical calculations for loads, equipment sizing ...

Lead Professional, Electrical Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

$181K - $189K/yr

Plan and incorporate future-ready techniques, concept development, operating strategies, and ... systems, and infrastructure. * Review electrical calculations for loads, equipment sizing ...

SCADA Project Manager

Washington, DC · On-site

$105K - $130K/yr

Invenergy is North America's largest privately held developer, owner, and operator of power ... Strong technical background and understanding of SCADA systems, PLCs, RTUs, and communication ...

Invenergy is North America's largest privately held developer, owner, and operator of power ... Strong technical background and understanding of SCADA systems, PLCs, RTUs, and communication ...

Senior Electrical Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$122K - $160K/yr

Incorporate future-ready techniques, concept development, operating strategies, and various design ... end-users, systems, and infrastructure. * Support senior engineers with research and ...

Senior Electrical Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$122K - $160K/yr

Incorporate future-ready techniques, concept development, operating strategies, and various design ... end-users, systems, and infrastructure. * Support senior engineers with research and ...

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Showing results 1-20

Nerc System Operator information

See Washington salary details

$12

$37

$94

How much do nerc system operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for nerc system operator in Washington is $37.02, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.07 and $43.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Nerc System Operator position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a NERC System Operator, you need a solid understanding of electric power systems, grid operations, and regulatory compliance, often supported by a degree in electrical engineering or a related field and the NERC certification. Familiarity with energy management systems (EMS), SCADA systems, and outage coordination tools is critical. Strong decision-making abilities, communication skills, and the capacity to perform under pressure help operators excel. These competencies ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the power grid in compliance with federal standards.

What is a typical workday like for a NERC System Operator?

A typical day for a NERC System Operator involves monitoring real-time grid conditions, responding to alarms, coordinating planned and unplanned outages, and communicating with field personnel and neighboring utilities to maintain system reliability. Operators often work in a control room setting, using advanced software and monitoring equipment to oversee power flows and facilitate rapid responses to disturbances. The role requires vigilance, as operators must be ready to take swift, decisive action during emergency events or system anomalies. Shifts may cover nights, weekends, and holidays due to the 24/7 nature of grid operations, but this dynamic environment also offers opportunities to develop specialized expertise and advance into senior roles within grid management or operations planning.

What is a NERC System Operator job?

A NERC System Operator is responsible for monitoring and controlling the electrical power grid to ensure a reliable and balanced flow of electricity. They follow North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards to prevent outages and respond to system disturbances. Operators communicate with power plants, substations, and other entities to manage grid stability and emergency situations. They typically work in real-time control centers and must be NERC-certified to perform their duties.

What are the most commonly searched types of Nerc System Operator jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Nerc System Operator jobs in Washington are:
What job categories do people searching Nerc System Operator jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Nerc System Operator jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Nerc System Operator jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Nerc System Operator job openings:
Infographic showing various Nerc System Operator job openings in Washington as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Part Time. Highlights an 86% In-person, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,003 per year, or $37 per hour.
Sr. Consultant - Protection and Controls Engineer

Sr. Consultant - Protection and Controls Engineer

EN Engineering LLC

Washington, DC

$125K - $165K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Posted yesterday


Job description

Join a team at the forefront of power system protection and reliability. We are seeking an experienced Protection & Control Engineer to play a critical role in the design, analysis, and modernization of transmission and distribution protection systems. We are open to part-time and full-time employees for these positions. This is an opportunity to work on complex, high‑impact utility projects using state‑of‑the‑art protective relaying, communications, and substation automation technologies, while collaborating with highly skilled engineers and utility clients. If you’re driven by solving challenging technical problems, influencing system reliability, and leading work that truly matters to the grid, this role offers the technical depth, responsibility, and growth you’re looking for.

What You’ll Do:

  • Knowledge of NERC and NPCC protection and control standards.
  • Expertise in protective relay and control system design, relay settings, logic development, and event analysis for transmission and distribution substations.
  • Understanding of relay communications theory, testing methods, and communications network maintenance.
  • Ability to model primary and secondary systems using power system simulation tools (e.g., CAPE, ASPEN).
  • Experience with IEC 61850 substation automation architecture, logic, and protocols (preferred).
  • Proficient in developing technical specifications for protection, communications equipment, and instrument transformers, and evaluating vendor bids.
  • Perform system disturbance analysis and recommend protective relaying modifications or enhancements.
  • Review and optimize relay settings to ensure proper coordination and document protection system improvements.
  • Interface with manufacturers, professional organizations, and standards bodies (e.g., NPCC, IEEE).
  • Design protective relaying systems using PLC, leased lines, microwave, and fiber‑optic communications.
  • Utilize digital fault recorders and sequence‑of‑event recorders for advanced system monitoring and analysis.
  • Conduct short‑circuit studies and complex calculations to establish relay settings using advanced analysis software.

Required Qualifications:

  • BS Electrical Engineering or related field
  • 10+ years of related Protection and Controls experience
  • Experience with IEC 61850
  • Ability and willingness to travel up to 30% of the year

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Professional Engineering License
  • MS Electrical Engineering or MBA

Not quite right for you? For a full listing of all our openings, please visit us at: https://entrustsol.com/careers/

Who We Are:

ENTRUST Solutions Group, an ENR Top 100 company, is a community of people, 3,000+ strong, who are committed to our clients and each other. We provide comprehensive and dependable engineering, consulting, and automation services to gas and electric utilities, telecommunication service providers, pipeline operators, and industrial companies.

In return for top talent, ENTRUST Solutions Group offers:

  • Generous paid time off and benefits
  • 401(k) retirement program with a company match
  • Career development programs
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Flexible work schedule

To learn more about ENTRUST Benefits and Culture, please visit our company LinkedIn page and follow us at:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrustsolutionsgroup

  • Benefits & Salary: This position pays between $125,000 and $165,000 annually and is an exempt position.
  • Benefits offered include company sponsored medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) plan with company match. Also offered are tuition reimbursement, voluntary life, disability, critical illness, accident and hospitalization plans. HSA or FSA medical accounts and FSA dependent care and transportation/parking accounts are also available. These benefits are subject to employee contribution amounts generally set annually.
  • Full time employees are eligible to earn PTO hours.
  • May be eligible for discretionary bonus as determined by the company.

ENTRUST Solutions Group is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.

Headhunters and recruitment agencies may not submit resumes/CVs through this website or directly to managers. ENTRUST Solutions Group does not accept unsolicited headhunter or agency resumes and will not pay fees to any third-party agency or company that does not have a signed agreement with ENTRUST Solutions Group.

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