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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 ...

HDR

System Protection and Studies Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

... Power Delivery professionals. The primary duties of the SPS Engineer position are to perform ... Perform protective relay calculations and determine appropriate relay set points. * Perform ...

Luxus

Senior Electrical Relay Engineer

Overland Park, KS · On-site +1

$125K - $185K/yr

Advanced Power System Studies: Perform rigorous short circuit, load flow, arc flash, and protective ... Relay Logic & Programming: Program, configure, and validate SEL relays, developing custom ...

EPS

Systems Protection Group Engineer IV

Richardson, TX · On-site +1

Perform and review Relay programming for multiple platforms including SEL, GE, ABB, Basler, Siemens ... Perform Failure Analysis and Troubleshooting for complex power system issues. Develop scope, price ...

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All JobsPower System Protection Relay Engineer Jobs

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 Jul 18, 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 July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,702 per year, or $56.6 per hour.
Electrical Protection Systems Engineer

Electrical Protection Systems Engineer

Airswift

Denver, CO • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Electrical Protection Systems Engineer
Location: Denver, CO | El Reno, OK
Relocation: Open to candidates across the U.S. - relocation support available
About the Company
Our client is a well-established organization in the energy and infrastructure sector, delivering engineering solutions across utility, industrial, and emerging power systems applications.
They are recognized for their focus on safety, technical quality, and innovative approaches to modern grid challenges, including microgrids and integrated power systems.
About the Role
We are seeking an Electrical Protection Systems Engineer to support the design, configuration, and commissioning of protection systems across a range of power system environments.
This role offers a strong balance between analytical work and field involvement, providing direct impact on system reliability and performance.
Key Responsibilities
  • Develop and validate protective relay settings for distribution and sub-transmission systems
  • Perform short-circuit and protection coordination studies using tools such as ETAP, SKM, or equivalent
  • Configure and test microprocessor-based relays (SEL, ABB, GE, Siemens)
  • Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), commissioning, and troubleshooting
  • Collaborate with SCADA and controls teams for system integration (DNP3, Modbus, IEC 61850)
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (Power Systems preferred)
  • 4+ years of experience in power system protection or relay engineering
  • Hands-on experience with relay configuration and testing
  • Strong understanding of fault current analysis and protection coordination
Preferred Experience
  • Microgrid or renewable energy projects
  • IEC 61850
  • Field commissioning experience
  • Exposure to utility or industrial power systems
Why This Opportunity
  • Work on technically challenging, high-impact energy projects
  • Exposure to modern grid technologies and protection systems
  • Combination of engineering analysis and hands-on commissioning
  • Opportunity to join a growing and well-supported engineering team
Location and Relocation
This role is based in Denver, CO or El Reno, OK.
Candidates located anywhere in the United States will be considered, with relocation support available.
Application
If you have experience in protection engineering and are interested in learning more, we encourage you to apply or reach out directly for a confidential discussion.

Apply