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Protective Relay Substation Automation Engineer Jobs

Senior Substation P&C Engineer

Syracuse, NY · On-site

$97K - $124K/yr

... protective relaying and schemes, control house and panel design, substation automation/SCADA ... relay logic and settings development support, and integration requirements for substation ...

Senior Substation P&C Engineer

Syracuse, NY · On-site

$97K - $124K/yr

... protective relaying and schemes, control house and panel design, substation automation/SCADA ... relay logic and settings development support, and integration requirements for substation ...

Senior Substation P&C Engineer

Syracuse, NY · On-site +1

$97K - $124K/yr

... protective relaying and schemes, control house and panel design, substation automation/SCADA ... relay logic and settings development support, and integration requirements for substation ...

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Protective Relay Substation Automation Engineer information

See salary details

$62.5K

$113.6K

$149.5K

How much do protective relay substation automation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for protective relay substation automation engineer in the United States is $113,627.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,500.00 and $125,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a protective relay substation automation engineer do?

A Protective Relay Substation Automation Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining systems that protect electrical substations from faults and automate their operations. They work with protective relays, control systems, and communication networks to ensure reliability and safety of power delivery. Their role involves configuring relay settings, troubleshooting issues, and integrating automation technologies to monitor and control substation equipment efficiently. These engineers play a crucial part in preventing outages and minimizing equipment damage caused by electrical faults.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a protective relay substation automation engineer?

To thrive as a Protective Relay Substation Automation Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, power systems, and protective relay principles, usually supported by a relevant engineering degree and professional licensure (e.g., PE). Familiarity with SCADA systems, relay testing equipment, and industry-standard software like SEL, GE, or ABB platforms is typically required, along with certifications such as NETA or IEEE training. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for diagnosing complex issues and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These skills ensure reliable power system operation, minimize downtime, and support the safety and efficiency of electrical infrastructure.

What are common challenges faced by protective relay substation automation engineers when integrating new technologies into existing substations?

Integrating new technologies, such as advanced protection relays or automation systems, into existing substations can present several challenges. These include ensuring compatibility with legacy equipment, minimizing system downtime during cutovers, and maintaining compliance with evolving industry standards. Engineers often collaborate closely with operations teams, manufacturers, and IT specialists to develop phased implementation plans and thorough testing procedures. Staying updated on the latest advancements and standards is essential for effective integration and long-term reliability.

What is the difference between Protective Relay Substation Automation Engineer vs Substation Engineer?

AspectProtective Relay Substation Automation EngineerSubstation Engineer
CredentialsElectrical engineering degree, certifications in protective relays and automationElectrical or power engineering degree, possibly PE license
Work EnvironmentDesign, testing, and commissioning of relay protection and automation systems in substationsOverall substation design, construction, and maintenance
Industry UsageFocused on protection relays, automation, and control systems within substationsBroader substation planning, construction, and operation

Protective Relay Substation Automation Engineers specialize in relay protection and automation systems, ensuring reliable power system operation. Substation Engineers have a broader role, overseeing entire substation projects. Both roles require electrical engineering expertise, but their focus areas differ significantly.

What are popular job titles related to Protective Relay Substation Automation Engineer jobs?

For Protective Relay Substation Automation Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Protective Relay Substation Automation 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 82% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $113,627 per year, or $54.6 per hour.

Sr. Consultant - Protection and Controls Engineer

Owings Mills, MD • On-site

EN Engineering LLC
Manufacturing • 501 - 1,000 employees

$125K - $165K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday


Job description

Join a team at the forefront of power system protection and reliability. We are seeking an experienced Protection & Control Engineer to play a critical role in the design, analysis, and modernization of transmission and distribution protection systems. We are open to part-time and full-time employees for these positions. This is an opportunity to work on complex, high‑impact utility projects using state‑of‑the‑art protective relaying, communications, and substation automation technologies, while collaborating with highly skilled engineers and utility clients. If you’re driven by solving challenging technical problems, influencing system reliability, and leading work that truly matters to the grid, this role offers the technical depth, responsibility, and growth you’re looking for.

What You’ll Do:

  • Knowledge of NERC and NPCC protection and control standards.
  • Expertise in protective relay and control system design, relay settings, logic development, and event analysis for transmission and distribution substations.
  • Understanding of relay communications theory, testing methods, and communications network maintenance.
  • Ability to model primary and secondary systems using power system simulation tools (e.g., CAPE, ASPEN).
  • Experience with IEC 61850 substation automation architecture, logic, and protocols (preferred).
  • Proficient in developing technical specifications for protection, communications equipment, and instrument transformers, and evaluating vendor bids.
  • Perform system disturbance analysis and recommend protective relaying modifications or enhancements.
  • Review and optimize relay settings to ensure proper coordination and document protection system improvements.
  • Interface with manufacturers, professional organizations, and standards bodies (e.g., NPCC, IEEE).
  • Design protective relaying systems using PLC, leased lines, microwave, and fiber‑optic communications.
  • Utilize digital fault recorders and sequence‑of‑event recorders for advanced system monitoring and analysis.
  • Conduct short‑circuit studies and complex calculations to establish relay settings using advanced analysis software.

 

Required Qualifications:

  • BS Electrical Engineering or related field
  • 10+ years of related Protection and Controls experience
  • Experience with IEC 61850
  • Ability and willingness to travel up to 30% of the year

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Professional Engineering License
  • MS Electrical Engineering or MBA

Not quite right for you? For a full listing of all our openings, please visit us at: https://entrustsol.com/careers/

Who We Are:

ENTRUST Solutions Group, an ENR Top 100 company, is a community of people, 3,000+ strong, who are committed to our clients and each other. We provide comprehensive and dependable engineering, consulting, and automation services to gas and electric utilities, telecommunication service providers, pipeline operators, and industrial companies. 

In return for top talent, ENTRUST Solutions Group offers:

  • Generous paid time off and benefits
  • 401(k) retirement program with a company match
  • Career development programs
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Flexible work schedule

To learn more about ENTRUST Benefits and Culture, please visit our company LinkedIn page and follow us at:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrustsolutionsgroup

  • Benefits & Salary: This position pays between $125,000 and $165,000 annually and is an exempt position.
  • Benefits offered include company sponsored medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) plan with company match. Also offered are tuition reimbursement, voluntary life, disability, critical illness, accident and hospitalization plans. HSA or FSA medical accounts and FSA dependent care and transportation/parking accounts are also available. These benefits are subject to employee contribution amounts generally set annually.
  • Full time employees are eligible to earn PTO hours.
  • May be eligible for discretionary bonus as determined by the company.

ENTRUST Solutions Group is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.

Headhunters and recruitment agencies may not submit resumes/CVs through this website or directly to managers. ENTRUST Solutions Group does not accept unsolicited headhunter or agency resumes and will not pay fees to any third-party agency or company that does not have a signed agreement with ENTRUST Solutions Group.

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