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Power System Protection Relay Engineer Jobs in California

Astrion

Protection Engineer

Mountain View, CA

$200K - $245K/yr

Overview Protection Engineer - Power & Mechanical Systems Location: Mt View, Moffett Field CA ... drive power systems. * Provide protection system specifications and relay settings for new ...

Astrion

Protection Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$200K - $245K/yr

Overview Protection Engineer - Power & Mechanical Systems Location: Mt View, Moffett Field CA ... drive power systems. * Provide protection system specifications and relay settings for new ...

347 Group, Inc.

Be Seen First

Power Systems Engineer - Onsite

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$93K - $132K/yr

... electrical system protection concepts. Duties and Responsibilities * Perform protective relay ... Professional Engineer (PE) license. * Knowledgeable with power system analysis software: CAPE ...

baker

Sr. Power Systems Engineer (PE)

Baker, CA

$109K - $150K/yr

Perform and review power system analyses including short-circuit, protection coordination, arc ... Support relay testing, controls verification, export control validation, and utility witness ...

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All JobsPower System Protection Relay Engineer JobsPower System Protection Relay Engineer Jobs in California

Power System Protection Relay Engineer information

See California salary details

$55.3K

$116.2K

$177.1K

How much do power system protection relay engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for power system protection relay engineer in California is $116,160.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,700.00 and $132,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a power system protection relay engineer do?

A Power System Protection Relay Engineer is responsible for designing, installing, testing, and maintaining the protective relays and systems that safeguard electrical power grids and equipment. They ensure that faults or abnormal conditions are quickly detected and isolated to prevent damage and maintain system stability. Their work involves analyzing power system behavior, programming relay settings, conducting system studies, and troubleshooting issues to ensure reliable and safe operation of electrical networks.

What are some common challenges faced by power system protection relay engineers in the field?

Power System Protection Relay Engineers often encounter challenges such as coordinating protection schemes across complex power grids, ensuring reliable relay settings, and adapting to rapidly evolving technologies. They must troubleshoot and resolve relay misoperations, often under time-sensitive conditions to minimize system downtime. Additionally, keeping up with industry standards and maintaining clear communication with operations, maintenance, and planning teams are essential for effective system protection and safety.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a power system protection relay engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Power System Protection Relay Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, with expertise in power systems and relay protection principles, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard protection relays (e.g., SEL, ABB, GE), relay coordination software, and relevant standards (such as IEEE and NERC) is essential, along with certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) being advantageous. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies are critical for ensuring system reliability, minimizing outages, and safeguarding equipment and personnel in complex electrical networks.

What is the difference between Power System Protection Relay Engineer vs Power System Engineer?

AspectPower System Protection Relay EngineerPower System Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires electrical engineering degree, certifications in protection relays (e.g., IEEE, CEA)Requires electrical engineering degree, often with power systems specialization
Work EnvironmentDesigning, testing, and commissioning protection relay systems in substations and power plantsPlanning, analyzing, and managing overall power system operations and infrastructure
Industry UsageFocused on protection schemes, relay settings, and fault analysisBroader scope including system stability, load flow, and grid integration

The Power System Protection Relay Engineer specializes in designing and maintaining protection relay systems to ensure grid safety, while the Power System Engineer oversees the overall power network operations. Both roles require electrical engineering expertise but differ in focus and responsibilities.

What are popular job titles related to Power System Protection Relay Engineer jobs in California?

For Power System Protection Relay Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Power System Protection Relay Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Power System Protection Relay Engineer jobs in California are:

Power System Protection Relay Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Power System Protection Relay Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $116,160 per year, or $55.8 per hour.

Power System Protection Engineer

Vacaville, CA • On-site

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL)
Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 46 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 159 rated electronics manufacturers

Great coworkers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Learn more about Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL)external

$84K - $185K/yr

Other

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Power System Protection Engineer

📍 Location: Vacaville, CA or Irvine, CA


As a Power System Protection Engineer, you will provide technical expertise and support for power system protection applications and solutions. You'll work closely with customers to develop, apply, and troubleshoot protection schemes that help improve the reliability and safety of electric power systems.

At Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL), our mission is to make electric power safer, more reliable, and more economical. We are committed to quality, integrity, reliability, and exceptional customer service while providing opportunities for continuous learning and professional growth.


What You'll Do

  • Work with customers to apply new technologies and solutions to power system applications.
  • Design models, demonstrations, and technical presentations to help customers understand and implement protection solutions.
  • Support troubleshooting efforts for SEL products and systems to identify and resolve root causes.
  • Analyze protective relay performance during power system disturbances and fault events.
  • Train and support customers on SEL products, power system protection concepts, and relay applications.
  • Contribute to and review technical papers, white papers, application guides, and industry publications.
  • Build strong customer relationships while serving as a trusted technical resource.


Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
  • 3+ years of experience with power system protection and protective relays.
  • Experience in utility and/or industrial power systems with an emphasis on protection, control, and operations.
  • Strong customer-facing skills and the ability to build professional relationships.
  • Strong communication and presentation skills.
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.


Compensation

$84,000 - $185,000 annually

Starting compensation is based on factors including experience, education, technical knowledge, and skills.

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