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Power System Protection Relay Engineer Jobs in Virginia

Pre-construction design and development of the complete power system protection and control by ... Design and develop relay protection and automation logics for SEL, ABB, Siemens or GE relays

System Protection Technician

Woodbridge, VA · On-site

$30.23 - $33.75/hr

Verification of engineering protective relay setpoints and logic equations. Aid in the installation ... Perform maintenance activities to ensure system reliability and regulatory compliance. Perform ...

Electric Power Systems (EPS) is a NETA-accredited independent electrical testing and engineering ... Perform installation, commissioning, testing and maintenance of protective relaying equipment.

Electric Power Systems (EPS) is a NETA-accredited independent electrical testing and engineering ... Perform installation, commissioning, testing and maintenance of protective relaying equipment.

Electric Power Systems (EPS) is a NETA-accredited independent electrical testing and engineering ... Perform installation, commissioning, testing and maintenance of protective relaying equipment.

Electric Power Systems (EPS) is a NETA-accredited independent electrical testing and engineering ... Perform installation, commissioning, testing and maintenance of protective relaying equipment.

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Showing results 1-20

Power System Protection Relay Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$55.5K

$116.7K

$178K

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

As of Jun 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for power system protection relay engineer in Virginia is $116,692.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,200.00 and $132,800.00 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 job categories do people searching Power System Protection Relay Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Power System Protection Relay Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
Infographic showing various Power System Protection Relay Engineer job openings in Virginia as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $116,692 per year, or $56.1 per hour.
Systems Engineer

Systems Engineer

Rosendin

Sterling, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago


Rosendin Electric rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 53 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

27th of 78 rated construction


Job description

Whether you're a recent grad or a seasoned professional, you can experience meaningful career growth at Rosendin. Enjoy a true sense of ownership as you work with a proven industry leader on some of the most exciting and high-profile projects in the nation. We offer a wide range of job opportunities, competitive compensation, full benefits, an Employee Stock Ownership Plan and more.

Why Rosendin?Committed. Innovative. Engaged.

If you're looking to take your career to the next level and work with some of the best and brightest in the industry, we want to hear from you. Since our founding over 100+ years ago, Rosendin has been driven to positively impact the communities where we live and work. We are an organization built on integrity and we have a culture that empowers people, embraces diversity, and inspires everyone to do their best. As one of the largest EMPLOYEE-OWNED electrical contractors in the United States, you will have the unique benefit of being a shareholder at a company that is experiencing tremendous growth and success. When our people succeed and fuel our success, we reward them. We'd love to have you as a shareholder!

YOUR NEXT OPPORTUNITY:

Want to be part of the team that design and develop complex power distribution systems for a hyper-scale data center campus?

Have specialty in protection or automation control in power systems?

Have experience in project management and worked with vendors and manufacturers?

Are you creative on creating the most innovative and best cost-effective solutions?

Have strong problem-solving skills that you can make things work as intended?

Join Rosendin, where you will be part of the world class team of engineers that design, develop, manage, start-up, commission, complete from beginning to end in a turnkey style.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:
  • Pre-construction design and development of the complete power system protection and control by deploying overcurrent protection relays, transformer and bus differential protection relays, and line differential protection relays, or PLC and RTAC for automatic transfer schemes.

  • Design and Develop site wide electrical distribution Sequence of Operation that ensures system reliability and resiliency.

  • Coordinate with utility, turbine power plant, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) or a combination of all three!

  • Spec, evaluate, and review vendor or manufacturer's submittal and equipment to ensure they conform to the system design requirement.

  • Conduct vendor coordination meeting to ensure all systems and all equipment are working well with each other.

  • Design and develop mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical interlock systems.

  • Work with other internal teams to specify proper relaying with proper instrument transformers to ensure secure and dependable operation.

  • Design and develop system wide automation systems using PLC or RTAC style industrial

  • controllers, including but not limited to: System overload prevention, multipurpose busway

  • interlocks, load management systems, generator plant load curtailment systems, Gen plant

  • start and load controls including selective load pickup and load shed schemes, etc.

  • Design and develop relay protection and automation logics for SEL, ABB, Siemens or GE relays

  • Design and develop system protection and control architecture such as IEC61850, mirrored bit, protection interface, Modbus, DNP etc.

  • Provide power system failure analysis, Sequence of Event analysis and/or develop a metering / triggering system to ensure proper event capture for conducting such analysis.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL:
  • Self-starting, avid learners on new technologies and products.

  • Strong understanding on power distribution systems, relaying, automation systems

  • In-depth working knowledge of SEL-751, SEL-787, SEL-487E, SEL-2411, SEL-3350 RTAC, Siemens 7SX82/85, Siemens 7UT, ABB REF615 etc.

  • In-depth product knowledge on electrical power systems components such as emergency generators, transformers, switchgears, switchboards, automatic transfer switches, protective relays, UPS systems, DRUPS systems, motor, Static Transfer Switches, PDUs, battery storage systems (BESS), inverters, PV systems, wind turbines, substation equipment's etc.

  • Able to understand power system study and analyze TCCs.

  • Strong result driven attitude

  • Strong problem-solving skills

WHAT YOU BRING TO US:
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and minimum of 8+ years of engineering design experience in electrical power systems

TRAVEL:
  • Up to 25%

WORKING CONDITIONS:
  • General work environment - sitting for long periods, standing, walking, typing, carrying, pushing, bending. Work is conducted primarily indoors with varying environmental conditions such as fluorescent lighting and air conditioning

  • Noise level is usually low to medium; it can be loud on the jobsite.

  • We fully comply with the ADA and applicable state law, including considering reasonable accommodation measures that may enable qualified disabled applicants and employees to perform essential functions.

  • Occasional lifting of up to 30 lbs.

YOU Matter - Our Benefits
  • ESOP - Employee Stock Ownership

  • 401K

  • Annual bonus program based upon performance, profitability, and achievement

  • 17 PTO days per year plus 10 paid holidays

  • Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

  • Term Life, AD&D Insurance, and Voluntary Life Insurance

  • Disability Income Protection Insurance

  • Pre-tax Flexible Spending Plans (Health and Dependent Care)

  • Charitable Giving Match with our Rosendin Foundation

Our success is rooted in our people. We all come together around long-term vision and a sense of shared ownership. As a group, we do whatever it takes to ensure the success of our business and your career.

Rosendin is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are considered regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, age (over 40), or any other categories protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.


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