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Power System Protection Relay Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SECO Energy

System Protection Engineer

Sumterville, FL · On-site

Four (4) year bachelor's degree in electrical engineering with a concentration in power system analysis, system protection and relay maintenance * Preferred: Registered Professional Engineer in the ...

VIP Staffing

System Protection Engineer

Texas City, TX · On-site

$110K - $160K/yr

Strong understanding of power system protection principles and relay coordination. * Knowledge of transmission, distribution, and generation systems. * Familiarity with IEEE, ANSI, NEC, NESC, and ...

Actalent

Senior Relay Technician

Nashville, TN

Analyze protection schemes for power circuits and other power system components to ensure proper ... Ability to identify and correct issues in drawings and designs when compared with engineering and ...

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Power System Protection Relay Engineer information

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$56K

$117.7K

$179.5K

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

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for power system protection relay engineer in the United States is $117,702.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,000.00 and $134,000.00 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.

More about Power System Protection Relay Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Power System Protection Relay Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Power System Protection Relay Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Power System Protection Relay Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Power System Protection Relay Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Power System Protection Relay Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Power System Protection Relay Engineer jobs are:
Power System Protection Relay Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Power System Protection Relay Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% As Needed, 83% Full Time, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $117,702 per year, or $56.6 per hour.

Power System Protection Engineer

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories

Rapid City, SD • On-site

$84K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 46 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 156 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

As a Power System Protection Engineer, you will be responsible for providing expert technical support and solutions for power system protection schemes. Your role will involve teaching, advising, and supporting customers to ensure the reliability and safety of power grids.

At Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. (SEL), our mission is to make electric power safer, more reliable, and more economical. Our company prides itself on embracing the values of quality, reliability, integrity, and excellent customer service. We were named as one of Fortune Magazine's 100 Best Workplaces for Millennials and among the top Best Workplaces for Baby Boomers. Working at SEL means having the opportunity to explore different career options - from customer service, sales, technical support, to management. We encourage professional development because when you are your best, that is when we are our best. So, what do you say? Ready to take the next step?

As a Power System Protection Engineer, a typical day might include:

  • Working with customers to apply new technologies or solutions to their power systems.
  • Designing models and/or demonstrations of new technologies or solutions to teach customers how we can enhance their system(s).
  • Supporting SEL products and solution troubleshooting to get to root cause of a problem.
  • Analyzing responses of protective relays to power system faults.
  • Teaching customers how to use SEL products or how protective relays protect primary electrical equipment.
  • Contributing to and reviewing white papers, application guides, industry journals, and technical papers.

This role might be for you if you:

  • Desire to learn how the power system responds to system faults and how protective relays detect that.
  • Desire to be involved in the cutting-edge technology of protective relaying.
  • Have a passion for teaching others for their growth and for yours.
  • Enjoy applying creativity to your engineering solutions every day.
  • Enjoy every day being different versus everyday being predictable.

Required Qualifications and Abilities:

  • A bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field. A master's degree is preferred.
  • 3+ years of experience with power system protection and relays.
  • Relevant work experience and knowledge of utility and/or industrial power systems with an emphasis on protection, control, and operations.
  • Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with customers.
  • Strong communication and presentation skills.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and a desire to learn new technologies.
  • The ability to work both independently and in a team environment.

Location

We are open to this position being located in:

  • Minneapolis, MN

  • Cloquet, MN

  • Rapid City, SD

Competitive pay. Superior benefits. Inspiring work.

People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners. We welcome you to learn more about how we support employees.

  • We're 100% employee owned. Retirement benefits include an employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options.

  • We offer top tier medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.

  • We recognize the importance of a healthy life balance and offer: 10 paid holidays, annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days, 9 paid sick days, and paid family and medical leave that covers 90% of your pay.

  • We foster growth and development of our employees through avenues such as STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs.

  • Ask our team about other benefits including wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending benefits.

Pay Range Data

$84,000 - $160,000 per year. We base our starting pay offer on job-related factors such as candidate experience, training, knowledge, and skills.

Communication with Applicants

We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAMfilteror reach out to us at careers@selinc.com.

SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.

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