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Power System Protection Relay Engineer Jobs in Colorado

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Power System Protection Relay Engineer information

See Colorado salary details

$58.9K

$123.8K

$188.7K

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

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for power system protection relay engineer in Colorado is $123,765.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $103,000.00 and $140,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 Colorado? For Power System Protection Relay Engineer jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Power System Protection Relay Engineer jobs in Colorado look for? The top searched job categories for Power System Protection Relay Engineer jobs in Colorado are:
What cities in Colorado are hiring for Power System Protection Relay Engineer jobs? Cities in Colorado with the most Power System Protection Relay Engineer job openings:
Lead Protective Relaying Engineer 2

Lead Protective Relaying Engineer 2

Sargent & Lundy

Westminster, CO โ€ข On-site

$134.55K - $205.56K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

Description
WORK LOCATION: This position allows for a hybrid / flexible work schedule with a mix of work spent on site at the Sargent & Lundy office and working remote from home.
This lead engineering position is within Sargent & Lundy's Electrical Analytical Division and will be responsible for the following:
  • Performing protection system calculations and analysis to support a wide variety of clients
  • Develop relay settings associated with HV/EHV Substation and Transmission Lines
  • Develop relay settings for Power Station Generators, Transformers, Motors and Medium Voltage and Low Voltage protection devices
  • Aiding clients to comply with NERC PRC standards
  • Relaying Event Report analysis

Qualifications
We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.
Essential skills and experience:
  • A Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (background in Power/Power Systems) and sufficient industry experience is considered in lieu of an advanced degree. Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering is preferred.
  • 12 or more years relevant engineering experience with an emphasis in power system protection
  • Experience with microprocessor-based relays (SEL, Beckwith, GE, ABB, etc) and electro-mechanical relays
  • Experience with micro-processor based relay software (SEL AcSELerator, GE Enervista, etc)
  • Experience with Generator, Transformer, and Motor Protection studies
  • Experience with HV/EHV substation and Line Relaying
  • Experience with LV Breaker protection
  • Experience using protection system software such as ETAP, SKM, and Aspen
  • Experience with NERC PRC compliance evaluations

Valued but not required skills and experience:
  • Successful completion of the Professional Engineering (PE) exam
  • Experience performing transient analysis of power systems using software such as: PSS/E, ETAP, SKM, PSCAD and EMTP-RV
  • Experience in short circuit analysis and using software programs CAPE or EasyPower

AI & Automation at Sargent & Lundy
In this role, we expect people to be willing or able to lead others who use modern tools:
  • You are expected to lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
  • Leaders in these roles often direct automation and process-improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.
  • Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs, is valued but not required.
  • We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI-enabled engineering workflows.

Award-Winning Benefits
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance
  • Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
  • Life & Accident Insurance
  • Disability Coverage
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Back-Up Daycare
  • FSA & HSA
  • 401(k)
  • Pre-Tax Commuter Account
  • Merit Scholarship Program
  • Employee Discount Program
  • Corporate Charitable Giving Program
  • Tuition Assistance
  • First Professional Licensure Bonus
  • Employee Referral Bonus
  • Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Paid Bereavement Leave
  • Flexible Work Arrangements

Compensation Range
$134,546 - $205,557
Transparency Statement
Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.
Awards & Recognition
Equal Opportunity
Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.

Sargent & Lundy logo

About Sargent & Lundy

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Sargent & Lundy is one of the most experienced full-service architect-engineering firms in the world. Founded in 1891, the firm is a global leader in power and energy with expertise in grid modernization, renewable energy, energy storage, nuclear power, and fossil fuels. Sargent & Lundy delivers comprehensive project services--from consulting, design and implementation to construction management, commissioning and operations/maintenance--with an emphasis on quality and safety. The firm serves public and private sector clients in the power and energy, gas distribution, industrial, and government sectors.

Industry

Civil engineering construction

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

1891

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