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Protective Relay Engineer Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

GAI Consultants is seeking a Relay Settings Engineer 2 with protective relay experience for transmission and distribution systems. The successful candidate will work on various substation and/or ...

Senior Relay Settings EIT 2

Jackson, MI · On-site +1

$96.40K - $125.50K/yr

GAI Consultants is seeking a Relay Settings Engineer (Senior EIT 2) with protective relay experience for transmission and distribution systems. The successful candidate will work on various ...

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Protective Relay Engineer information

See Michigan salary details

$50.6K

$86.2K

$170K

How much do protective relay engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for protective relay engineer in Michigan is $86,203.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,000.00 and $89,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Protective Relay Engineer job?

A Protective Relay Engineer is responsible for designing, testing, and maintaining protective relay systems that safeguard electrical power grids and equipment from faults and failures. They analyze system performance, program relay settings, and ensure compliance with industry standards. Their work helps prevent power outages, improve system reliability, and protect assets from damage.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Protective Relay Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Protective Relay Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering principles, power systems, and relay protection, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Proficiency with relay testing equipment, CAD or relay design software, and familiarity with industry standards such as IEEE and NERC is often required, as are certifications like PE licensure. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, effective communication, and the ability to work both independently and within multidisciplinary teams are vital soft skills. These competencies ensure accurate system protection, minimize power outages, and enable successful coordination with utilities and project stakeholders.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Protective Relay Engineer?

A typical day for a Protective Relay Engineer involves designing, testing, and maintaining protective relay systems that safeguard electrical power grids and equipment. You may analyze system data, implement relay settings, coordinate with project managers and field technicians, and troubleshoot any protection scheme issues that arise. Much of the work includes both office-based design tasks and occasional site visits for commissioning or maintenance support. Collaboration with other engineers, clients, and utility representatives is common to ensure projects meet regulatory and operational standards. This role offers a dynamic blend of technical problem-solving and teamwork within the energy sector.
What job categories do people searching Protective Relay Engineer jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Protective Relay Engineer jobs in Michigan are:
Infographic showing various Protective Relay Engineer job openings in Michigan as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $86,203 per year, or $41.4 per hour.
Relay Settings Engineer 2

Relay Settings Engineer 2

GAI Consultants

Jackson, MI • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

GAI Consultants is seeking a Relay Settings Engineer 2 with protective relay experience for transmission and distribution systems.  The successful candidate will work on various substation and/or protection and control engineering project including detailed design for high voltage substation projects through 500kV, with a focus on "Client First" approach to all interactions.

We value work-life balance and offer flexibility – this position can be performed in a hybrid or fully remote capacity. #Hybrid, #Remote, #INDHP, #LI-KH

Job Duties:  

  • Development of Protective Relay Settings for microprocessor relays including: SEL, GE, ABB and others. For both transmission line relays (line differential, Step distance and Pilot Schemes) and Substation relays (Capacitor Banks, Transformers and Buses)  
  • Conduct short circuit analysis and relay coordination studies using Aspen OneLiner and/or PSS CAPE.
  • Utilize SEL AcSELerator Quickset and GE EnerVista software
  • Implementation of control and protection schemes including interpreting schematics and wiring diagrams and preparing relay logic to complete the schemes.
  • Perform QA/QC checks of deliverables designed or checked deliverables.
  • Mentoring and managing staff at all levels.
  • Managing tasks on multiple projects in accordance with GAI’s high standards of project management.
  • Ability to manage competing priorities using sound engineering and financial judgment to determine optimal solutions.
  • Must be flexible to handle shifting deadlines and scope changes.
  • Must have resource management skills and the ability to identify project barriers and mitigate them without schedule impacts.

General Characteristics

  • Applies broad knowledge of principles and practices in a specific practice area. 
  • Independently evaluates, selects, and adapts standard techniques, procedures, and criteria. 
  • Leads tasks and projects of moderately complex scopes.
  • Develops plans, specifications, and other project documents.
  • Selects appropriate principles of engineering economics, and probability and statistics to analyze risk in a complex engineering problem.

Travel 

  • 10% Travel to Client office or site for project meetings.

Minimum Years of Experience

  • 6+ Years of Experience

Education

  • B.S. or M.S. Engineering  

Certification/Licensure

  • Professional Engineer (P.E.) License
  • If you do not have a P.E, please view our open Technical Specialist or EIT positions.  

Technical Responsibilities

  • Designs a complete project, system, component, or process. 
  • Prepares complete plans, specifications, and other project documents. 
  • Designs and conducts analyses and interprets test data.
  • Begins to develop and reviews complete project documents for conformity and quality assurance.

Project and Task Management

  • Assigns tasks to other technical and non-technical staff. 
  • Plans and coordinates detailed aspects of the engineering work. 
  • Prepares scopes, budgets, and schedules for assignments. 
  • Assists with proposals to provide professional services or obtain funding for engineering projects or projects.

Management Responsibility

  • Receives general direction on key objectives. Receives guidance on unconventional/complex problems, direction on modified techniques, and new approaches on assignments with conflicting criteria. 
  • Mentors junior staff by providing guidance, explaining professional responsibilities, and reviewing work products. 
  • Attends project meetings and presents specific aspects of engineering assignments.

Communication Skills

  • Communicates effectively to both technical and nontechnical audiences.

Why GAI? 

At GAI, exceptional people have an exceptional place to work, grow, lead, and achieve. Explore an array of opportunities in locations across the U.S. and join accomplished colleagues in tackling challenging projects for a range of markets. Enjoy comprehensive benefits and feel good about being part of a collaborative team that’s committed to supporting the communities we serve. Join GAI and distinguish yourself in a company poised for unlimited growth.   

Benefits To Working at GAI Include: 

  • Competitive salary -GAI is committed to paying market-based salaries
  • Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, company paid Long Term Disability, and Short-Term Disability (benefits start within 30 days of hire) 
  • New paid Maternity/Paternity/Adoption program  
  • Generous Paid Time Off and 7 paid holidays
  • 401k company match
  • Tuition Reimbursement

#INDHP

 

GAI Consultants logo

About GAI Consultants

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

GAI Consultants is an employee-owned corporation offering comprehensive engineering, planning, and environmental consulting services to diverse industry sectors, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The company operates in the field of engineering consulting and provides sustainable and economically-viable solutions to clients ranging from bridge design, community planning, to industrial facilities, ecological studies, and more. GAI Consultants was founded in 1958 and, over more than six decades, has grown significantly with a strong commitment to advancing clients' projects and contributing to community development. The firm operates on the core values of integrity, client satisfaction, quality, and workforce development, all of which raises the bar on client service and project excellence, ultimately contributing to the company’s mission, which is 'to create and deliver superior, innovative consulting solutions that enrich the lives of our people and enhance the world we live in.'

Industry

Civil engineering construction

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Pittsburgh, PA, US

Year founded

1958

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