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Power System Protection Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Electrical Power Engineer - Protection Division Location: Irvine, CA Work Type: Full Time/ Hybrid About ETAP ETAP is the world's leading provider of power system modeling, analysis, and real-time ...

Electrical Power Engineer - Protection Division Location: Irvine, CA Work Type: Full Time/ Hybrid About ETAP ETAP is the world's leading provider of power system modeling, analysis, and real-time ...

As a Power System Dispatcher, you will be responsible for the real-time operations of Bulk Power ... Required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Arc Rated protected clothing when in ...

The ideal candidate has strong expertise in power system analysis and protection, along with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences. This role is perfect for ...

The ideal candidate has strong expertise in power system analysis and protection, along with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences. This role is perfect for ...

HDR Engineering is looking for a System Protection and Studies (SPS) Project Engineer to join our growing and nationally ranked team of Power Delivery professionals. The primary duties of the SPS ...

HDR Engineering is looking for a System Protection and Studies (SPS) Project Engineer to join our growing and nationally ranked team of Power Delivery professionals. The primary duties of the SPS ...

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Knowledgeable with electrical power system analysis, electrical system planning, protective device ... application, setting and substation design required / experience preferred. * Professional Engineer ...

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Power System Protection information

See California salary details

$14

$27

$42

How much do power system protection jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for power system protection in California is $27.13, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.11 and $31.54 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Power System Protection, and why are they important?

To thrive in Power System Protection, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, strong analytical skills, and a good understanding of power system fundamentals, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with industry-standard protection relays, SCADA systems, and certifications such as NETA or IEEE are highly valuable. Excellent problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help professionals excel in diagnosing issues and coordinating with cross-functional teams. These competencies are critical for ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficient operation of electrical power systems.

What is power system protection?

Power system protection refers to the practices, equipment, and systems used to detect and isolate faults or abnormal conditions in electrical power systems. The main goal is to protect people, equipment, and ensure reliable power supply by quickly identifying and disconnecting faulty sections of the network. This is typically achieved using devices such as relays, circuit breakers, and protective relaying schemes. Proper power system protection improves safety, minimizes equipment damage, and reduces outage times.

What is the difference between Power System Protection vs Power System Maintenance?

AspectPower System ProtectionPower System Maintenance
Primary FocusDesigning and implementing protective relays and systems to prevent damage during faultsRoutine inspection, testing, and repair of electrical equipment to ensure reliability
Required CertificationsElectrical engineering degree, relay protection certificationsElectrical technician certifications, maintenance training
Work EnvironmentControl rooms, substations, field testing sitesSubstations, power plants, field service locations
Industry UsagePower generation, transmission, distributionPower plants, substations, industrial facilities

Power System Protection focuses on designing and maintaining systems that detect faults and isolate affected parts to prevent damage, while Power System Maintenance involves routine checks and repairs to ensure overall system reliability. Both roles are essential for a stable and safe power grid but differ in their primary objectives and daily tasks.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in Power System Protection roles?

Professionals in Power System Protection often encounter challenges such as staying updated with rapidly evolving technologies, managing coordination among diverse protection devices, and ensuring system reliability during maintenance or upgrades. They must also troubleshoot complex faults quickly to minimize downtime and maintain grid stability. Effective collaboration with engineers, field technicians, and control room operators is essential to address these challenges efficiently and ensure the safety and resilience of the electrical grid.
What are popular job titles related to Power System Protection jobs in California? For Power System Protection jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Power System Protection jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Power System Protection jobs in California are:
Electrical Engineer - Power System Protection

Electrical Engineer - Power System Protection

Black & Veatch

Irvine, CA • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 29 days ago


Black & Veatch rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

61st of 352 rated engineering


Job description

Together, we own our company, our future, and our shared success.

As an employee-owned company, our people are Black & Veatch. We put them at the center of everything we do and empower them to grow, explore new possibilities and use their diverse talents and perspectives to solve humanity's biggest challenges in an ever-evolving world. With over 100 years of innovation in sustainable infrastructure and our expertise in engineering, procurement, consulting and construction, together we are building a world of difference.  

Company : Black & Veatch Corporation  

Req Id : 114919 

Opportunity Type : Staff 

Relocation eligible : Yes 

Full time/Part time : Full-Time  

Project Only Hire : No 

Visa Sponsorship Available: No 

Why Black and Veatch

Recognized by Glassdoor as a 2023 Top 100 place to work, Black & Veatch allows you to lend your talent and perspective to humanity's biggest challenges in a flexible environment where you are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities. We offer competitive compensation; 401K match and benefits that start day one. 

At Black & Veatch, you own your career with purpose and meaning. You are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities at every step of your career journey. Bring your big ideas knowing you are safe to be who you are and speak up with concerns or questions and put your diverse talents and perspectives to use.  #LI-TF1

The Opportunity

Black & Veatch is seeking an experienced Power System Protection Engineer with a preferred 5-10 years of experience to join our Protective Relay Settings Team. The ideal candidate has significant working experience and knowledge of Protection & Control (P&C) design concepts, relay setting calculations / setting file development, relay manufacturer software platforms, and power system analysis & modeling software.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to: 

  • Function as a technical subject matter expert and specialist.
  • Develop protective setpoints per industry standards, best practices and client requirements.
  • Work with system modeling software programs (ASPEN, CAPE, CYME, ETAP, SKM).
  • Develop downloadable setpoint files on multiple propietary relay manufacturer software platforms (SEL AcSELerator Quickset, GE Enervista, etc.).
  • Develop and manipulate logic commonly utilized in protection and control schemes.

Multiple locations available! Please refer to job posting header for full list of eligible locations.

Key Responsibilities
  • Continues developing knowledge and may provide guidance and direction on design guides, standards, systems, applicable engineering codes and B&V policies. Provides technical guidance to others regarding projects and disciplines.
  • Independently applies knowledge and complies with B&V quality program relative to assigned tasks.  May be responsible for ensuring compliance with B&V quality program.  Provides related guidance and direction to others. Supports continuous improvement and change management efforts.
  • Prepares a variety of complex engineering deliverables for larger or multiple projects.  Performs complex research and develops recommendations for equipment and/or materials selection. May oversee collection, assimilation, and management of data for engineering work.  Prepares complex engineering calculations following standard methods and principles.  Manages assigned budget, schedule, and quality requirements. Independently applies advanced engineering techniques and analysis problems and methods. Actively delegates appropriate tasks to lower level team members to develop depth of project execution staff. Reviews lower level engineering work or assignments. Is responsible for one or more of the following:  leading production teams; coordinating multiple discipline activity; and serving as the responsible charge for a project.
  • Actively coordinates with all other internal/external team members on moderately complex projects.
  • Responsible for assisting with identification of key client interests and drivers on low to moderately complex projects. Communicates client interests and drivers to project team members and develops approaches to accommodate these concerns in the performance of the work on low to moderately complex projects. Provides support to business development or pursuit activities and may offer other services to clients.
  • Recognized as a technical specialist and has knowledge and skill set to provide consultation and guidance to project teams in a particular practice area. May design a complete project of moderately complex scope or support multiple projects on the complex technical challenges. Actively fosters knowledge management and provides mentoring. May develop and apply advanced engineering concepts and approaches to unique engineering problems
  • Typically assists with performance management process, mentoring, recognition, and any corrective actions required. May participate in career planning, and learning and development.  Actively mentors lower level professionals and identifies successors to train in the specifics of their role.
  • May assist with resource management strategy. May have responsibility of engineering resources for small groups of a single discipline. 

May be accountable for some administrative responsibilities that include but aren't limited to:

  • Ensuring policies, procedures and processes are effectively implemented and communicated for work group.
  • Ensuring adherence to corporate and division programs.
  • Approving timesheets and expense reports.
Preferred Qualifications
  • 5-10 years of experience in Transmission, Distribution, or Power Generation industry.
  • Previous working experience with Protection & Control design concepts including one-lines, three-lines, schematics, wiring, et cetera.
  • 5 years of experience in development of protective relay settings.
  • Significant experience with commonly utilized system modeling software programs (ASPEN, CAPE, CYME, ETAP, SKM, et cetera).
  • Significant knowledge and application of the predominant protection schemes and philosophies which are encountered in Transmission, Distribution, and Renewable Collector Substations.
  • Significant experience with Mathcad and Excel software for protective setting calculations.
  • Experience with commonly utilized communication protocols (DNP, SEL, MMS, Modbus, et cetera).
  • Knowledge of IEC 61850 (GOOSE, MMS, SV) and its implementation.
  • Knowledge and application of NERC-PRC standards and other commonly utilized industry standards.
  • Proven ability to independently develop written communication and to facilitate coordination with team members and clients.
  • Proven ability to work cooperatively in a team environment.
  • Proven ability to lead small projects including management of project schedules, budgets, and staffing.
  • Significant experience supporting proposal development- including, scope of work, level of work, engineering estimates, schedule.
  • Strong leaderships skills, with desire to train and develop early career and/or inexperienced professionals.
  • Significant experience functioning in a QC/QA capacity.
  • Active Professional Engineer (PE) License in State of Residence or Project Needs.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from either a recognized accredited program in their home country or the country in which the professional is practicing.
  • Minimum of 5 years related work experience.
  • All applicants must be able to complete pre-employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any/all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.
Certifications
  • Professional Engineer License (U.S. PE), preferred
Work Environment/Physical Demands

Hybrid or flexible work options may be offered after the first 90 days of employment based upon manager discretion, job performance and work assignments.

Salary Plan
ENG: Engineering
Job Grade
016

Black & Veatch endeavors to make www.bv.com/careers accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process because of a disability, please contact the Employee Relations Department at +1-913-359-1622 or via our accommodations request form. This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only; you may not use this contact information to inquire about the status of applications. General inquiries about the status of applications will not be returned. This job posting will remain open until a suitable candidate(s) has been identified.

Black & Veatch is committed to being an employer of choice by creating a valuable work experience that keeps our people engaged, productive, safe and healthy.

Our comprehensive benefits portfolio is a key component of this commitment and offers and array of health care benefits including but not limited to medical, dental and vision insurances along with disability and a robust wellness program.

To support a healthy work-life balance, we offer flexible work schedules, paid vacation and holiday time, sick time and dependent sick time.

A variety of additional benefits are available to our professionals, including a company matched 401k plan, adoption reimbursement, vendor discounts, an employment referral program, AD&D insurance, pre-taxed accounts, voluntary legal plan and the B&V Credit Union. Professionals may also be eligible for a performance-based bonus program.

We are proud to be a 100 percent ESOP-owned company. As employee-owners, our professionals are empowered to drive not only their personal growth, but the company's long-term achievements - and they share in the financial rewards of that success through stock ownership.

By valuing diverse voices and perspectives, we cultivate an authentically inclusive environment for professionals and are able to provide innovative and effective solutions for clients.

BVH, Inc., its subsidiaries and its affiliated companies, complies with all Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws and regulations. Black & Veatch does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender Identity and expression, disability, veteran status, pregnancy status or other status protected by law.

Notice to External Search Firms: Black & Veatch does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be obligated to pay a placement fee for unsolicited resumes. Black & Veatch Talent Acquisition engages with search firms directly for hiring needs.

In accordance with local law, the following Annual compensation range is applicable for the job and  location associated with this requisition: $114,933.00 - $237,640.00 


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About Black & Veatch

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Company: Black & Veatch Family of Companies Together, we own our company, our future, and our shared success. As an employee-owned company, our people are Black & Veatch. We put them at the center of everything we do and empower them to grow, explore new possibilities and use their diverse talents and perspectives to solve humanity's biggest challenges in an ever-evolving world. With over 100 years of innovation in sustainable infrastructure and our expertise in engineering, procurement, consulting and construction, together we are building a world of difference.

Industry

Civil engineering construction

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Overland Park, KS, US

Year founded

1915