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Protective Relay Engineer Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

$107K - $139K/yr

Prepare and review detailed engineering calculations in support of design change packages ... and protective relay settings. * Prepare and review equipment procurement specifications,

$107K - $139K/yr

Prepare and review detailed engineering calculations in support of design change packages ... and protective relay settings. * Prepare and review equipment procurement specifications,

$159K - $166K/yr

Engineering design change packages to install, replace or upgrade existing plant equipment to ... and protective relay settings * Equipment procurement specifications * Bid review evaluation ...

$159K - $166K/yr

Engineering design change packages to install, replace or upgrade existing plant equipment to ... and protective relay settings * Equipment procurement specifications * Bid review evaluation ...

$107K - $139K/yr

Prepare and review detailed engineering calculations in support of design change packages ... and protective relay settings. * Prepare and review equipment procurement specifications,

$107K - $139K/yr

Prepare and review detailed engineering calculations in support of design change packages ... and protective relay settings. * Prepare and review equipment procurement specifications,

$107K - $139K/yr

Prepare and review detailed engineering calculations in support of design change packages ... and protective relay settings. * Prepare and review equipment procurement specifications,

$107K - $139K/yr

Prepare and review detailed engineering calculations in support of design change packages ... and protective relay settings. * Prepare and review equipment procurement specifications,

$159K - $166K/yr

Engineering design change packages to install, replace or upgrade existing plant equipment to ... and protective relay settings * Equipment procurement specifications * Bid review evaluation ...

$159K - $166K/yr

Engineering design change packages to install, replace or upgrade existing plant equipment to ... and protective relay settings * Equipment procurement specifications * Bid review evaluation ...

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Showing results 1-20

Protective Relay Engineer information

See Oregon salary details

$61.3K

$104.6K

$206.2K

How much do protective relay engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for protective relay engineer in Oregon is $104,569.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,000.00 and $108,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a relay protection engineer?

A relay protection engineer designs, tests, and maintains protective relay systems used to detect faults and isolate equipment in electrical power systems. They ensure system reliability and safety by configuring relays, performing system analysis, and adhering to industry standards, often using specialized software and requiring relevant certifications. Their work is critical in preventing damage and outages in electrical networks.

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 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.

Is EEe a high paying job?

Protective Relay Engineers typically earn competitive salaries due to their specialized technical skills in power systems and relay protection. Salaries can vary based on experience, certifications, and location, but generally, the role offers a good compensation level within the electrical engineering field.

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 engineers make $300,000 a year?

Protective Relay Engineers in senior or specialized roles with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and working in high-demand industries such as power utilities or large engineering firms can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $300,000 annually. These positions often require expertise in relay protection systems, programming, and system analysis, and may include managerial or consulting responsibilities.

What engineers make $500,000?

Protective Relay Engineers typically do not earn $500,000 annually; such high salaries are more common in executive or specialized roles within the engineering field. Senior engineers with extensive experience, advanced certifications, or leadership positions in large companies may approach or exceed this level, especially with bonuses and profit sharing included.
What job categories do people searching Protective Relay Engineer jobs in Oregon look for? The top searched job categories for Protective Relay Engineer jobs in Oregon are:
Infographic showing various Protective Relay Engineer job openings in Oregon as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 6% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $104,569 per year, or $50.3 per hour.
Senior Protective Relaying Engineer 2

Senior Protective Relaying Engineer 2

Sargent & Lundy

Portland, OR • On-site, Remote

$100K - $152K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Perform protection system calculations and analysis to support clients.

  • Develop relay settings for HV/EHV substation and transmission lines, as well as power station generators, transformers, motors, and protection devices.

  • Aid clients to comply with NERC PRC standards and perform relaying event report analysis.


Job description

WORK LOCATION: This position allows for a hybrid / flexible work schedule with a mix of work spent on site at the Sargent & Lundy office and working remote from home. 

This senior engineering position is within Sargent & Lundy's Electrical Analytical Division and will be responsible for the following: 

  • Performing protection system calculations and analysis to support a wide variety of clients 
  • Develop relay settings associated with HV/EHV Substation and Transmission Lines 
  • Develop relay settings for Power Station Generators, Transformers, Motors and Medium Voltage and Low Voltage protection devices 
  • Aiding clients to comply with NERC PRC standards 
  • Relaying Event Report analysis 

We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.

Essential skills and experience:

  • A Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (background in Power/Power Systems) and sufficient industry experience is considered in lieu of an advanced degree. Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering is preferred. 
  • 7 or more years relevant engineering experience with an emphasis in power system protection 
  • Experience with microprocessor-based relays (SEL, Beckwith, GE, ABB, etc) and electro-mechanical relays 
  • Experience with micro-processor based relay software (SEL AcSELerator, GE Enervista, etc) 
  • Experience with Generator, Transformer, and Motor Protection studies 
  • Experience with HV/EHV substation and Line Relaying 
  • Experience with LV Breaker protection 
  • Experience using protection system software such as ETAP, SKM, and Aspen 
  • Experience with NERC PRC compliance evaluations 


Valued but not required skills and experience:

  • Successful completion of the Professional Engineering (PE) exam
  • Experience performing transient analysis of power systems using software such as: PSS/E, ETAP, SKM, PSCAD and EMTP-RV 
  • Experience in short circuit analysis and using software programs CAPE or EasyPower  

In this role, we expect people to be willing or able to lead others who use modern tools:

  • You are expected to lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
  • Leaders in these roles often direct automation and process-improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.
  • Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs, is valued but not required.
  • We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI-enabled engineering workflows.

At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance
  • Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
  • Life & Accident Insurance
  • Disability Coverage
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Back-Up Daycare
  • FSA & HSA
  • 401(k)
  • Pre-Tax Commuter Account
  • Merit Scholarship Program
  • Employee Discount Program
  • Corporate Charitable Giving Program
  • Tuition Assistance
  • First Professional Licensure Bonus
  • Employee Referral Bonus
  • Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Paid Bereavement Leave
  • Flexible Work Arrangements

$100,019 - $152,807
Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.

Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.


Sargent & Lundy logo

About Sargent & Lundy

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Sargent & Lundy is one of the most experienced full-service architect-engineering firms in the world. Founded in 1891, the firm is a global leader in power and energy with expertise in grid modernization, renewable energy, energy storage, nuclear power, and fossil fuels. Sargent & Lundy delivers comprehensive project services--from consulting, design and implementation to construction management, commissioning and operations/maintenance--with an emphasis on quality and safety. The firm serves public and private sector clients in the power and energy, gas distribution, industrial, and government sectors.

Industry

Civil engineering construction

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

1891

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