Relay Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

• Location 5399 Wellington Branch Dr,Gainesville, VA, 20155,United States

Energize your future by joining our team at Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC)! NOVEC's mission is to create value for its members, employees and communities by providing safe, reliable electricity and quality products at competitive prices.

NOVEC is a locally owned electric distribution system headquartered in Manassas, VA. NOVEC provides reliable electric service to more than 180,000 homes and businesses in Clarke, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William and Stafford counties, the City of Manassas Park, and the Town of Clifton. NOVEC's service reliability is the best in the region with a 99.99% average system reliability.

As a leader on the high-tech frontier, NOVEC is using proven, cost-effective technology to improve productivity and reliability, reduce expenses, and increase cybersecurity – a national priority. Today’s technology includes what the industry calls \"smart grid\", as well as fiber optics, and mobile workforce.

OVERVIEW:

Design the typical and unique substation protection systems and relay settings used in the control and operation of utility transmission and distribution facilities. Analyze the performance of protective relay operations to ensure reliability and proper coordination of the overall electric system. Provide technical guidance, oversight, and direction for technical services personnel for substation maintenance and installation activities. Create equipment specifications and standards for substation protection, automation, and communications equipment and oversee the operation of these systems. Serve as chairperson of the protection philosophy and policy group to meet as needed to ensure proper coordination of protective devices, safety, and mandated requirements set by regulatory bodies.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Other related duties may be assigned. An individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and effectively. Reasonable accommodation may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Leads others to solve complex problems; uses sophisticated analytical thoughts and judgment to identify innovative solutions. Interprets internal and external business issues and recommends best practices. Takes a broad perspective to identify innovative solutions.


• Works independently; with guidance in only the most complex situations. Leads functional teams and projects.


• Communicates difficult concepts and negotiates with others to adopt a different point of view.


• Develops detailed project scopes for complex projects, control enclosure layouts, relay functional one-lines, elementary and schematic diagrams, wiring drawings and bills of material required for protective relay and control installations and upgrades independently. Reviews and approves designs developed by other engineers.


• Develops protective relay settings based on current and evolving standards and reviews settings developed by other engineers. Develops internal standards for application by other engineers.


• Manages multiple projects simultaneously in various stages of design to meet project schedule deadlines.


• Provides technical support to field personnel during project implementation and oversees system commissioning. Develops and reviews maintenance procedures, evaluates test reports and proposes projects as needed to correct deficiencies.


• Prepares thorough and accurate technical reports, correspondence, documentation, calculations, and sketches related to defined complex problems and analyses of significant scope and complexity. Ensures that organized, detailed records of drawings, calculations, and settings are updated and maintained in the appropriate databases.


• Investigates and analyzes unique and complex system disturbances and relay operations to determine the root cause and recommends improvements as necessary.


• Ensures protective relay systems compliance with NOVEC reliability policies, NERC, IEEE and other industry standards and other programs such as special protection systems (SPS), and underfrequency load shedding (UFLS). Serves as a technical resource for regulatory compliance experts.


• Supports the preparation of long-range and short-range work plans, by establishing goals for engineering and operations functions, minimizing consumer outage time, reducing system losses, lowering system operating and maintaining costs, and efficient operation.


• Develops training, trains, guides, and mentors lower-level engineers. Acts as a resource for colleagues and engineers with less experience.


• Provides technical support to System Operations as required.


• Works continually towards self-development to maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; and participating in professional societies

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

We\'re open to hiring this position at multiple career levels. The level, title, and starting compensation will be determined based on the successful candidate\'s education, relevant experience, certifications, licenses, and overall qualifications.

• Bachelor\'s degree in electrical engineering or a related field from an accredited institution is required.


• 12+ years of relevant experience in the electric power industry or 8+ years of relevant experience in the electric utility industry and a Professional Engineer license. An advanced degree may be considered equivalent to one year of relevant experience.


• Bachelor\'s degree in electrical engineering or a related field from an accredited institution is required.


• 8+ years of relevant experience in the electric power industry or 5+ years of relevant experience in the electric power industry. An advanced degree may be considered equivalent to one year of relevant experience.


• Bachelor\'s degree in electrical engineering or a related field from an accredited institution is required.


• 2+ years of relevant experience in the electric power industry. An advanced degree may be considered equivalent to one year of relevant experience.


• NCEES EIT certification is preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• System protection experience in transient analysis, planning, stability, load flow, grounding analysis, short circuit, and sectionalizing studies.


• Knowledge of serial and Ethernet communications to design interconnections to protective relays and other systems used in system protection.


• Ability to perform forensic analysis of protection system operations and determine the root cause of malfunctions.


• Working knowledge of higher math, calculus, vector algebra, and symmetrical components.


• Demonstrated knowledge of advanced system protection and control.


• Demonstrated knowledge of power engineering principles and theories.


• Demonstrated ability to function independently in a multi-task environment, as well as part of a team.


• Demonstrated knowledge of all applicable federal, state, and local laws.


• Demonstrated knowledge of NOVEC accounting practices.


• Demonstrated proficiency with general computer operation and Microsoft Office applications.


• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with all levels within the organization.


• Demonstrated ability to respond to changing business needs by reassessing the impact on planned and scheduled work projects and then reprioritizing projects.


• Demonstrated ability to design economical and practical system improvements; and operating and maintenance programs.


• Demonstrated ability to create system protection drawings using computer-aided design software.


• Demonstrated ability to carry out delegated work with minimum or no supervision.


• Demonstrated ability to apply project management skills to construction projects.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Competitive salary and Incentive plan


• Premier health benefits, including an onsite wellness center.


• Survivor and Disability benefits


• 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% base salary match and an additional match of your contribution at a rate of 50% up to the first 12%


• Life insurance


• Vacation, Sick and Holiday Leave


• Educational Assistance


• Annual Company Events

If you\'re ready to take the next step towards advancing your career, NOVEC is an equal opportunity employer and participates in E-Verify. We do not provide sponsorship for this position.

The anticipated starting salary within the posted salary range will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate\'s education, relevant experience, skills, qualifications, certifications, internal equity, and market considerations.

Additional Information

• Base Pay $99,000 - $122,100; $122,130 - 149,270; $145,350 - $177,650 / Annually


• Relocation Assistance Yes


• Work location This position is hybrid (3 days in office) after an on-site intro period of up to 4 mo's.


• Internal Application Deadline 5:00 PM on 8/4/2026