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Relay Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

VA · On-site

$62K - $81K/yr

Conduct protective relay testing, calibration, and programming for various manufacturers. * Perform circuit breaker and switchgear testing, including timing tests, primary and secondary injection ...

VA · On-site

$32.69 - $49.04/hr

Conduct protective relay testing, calibration, and programming for various manufacturers. * Perform circuit breaker and switchgear testing, including timing tests, primary and secondary injection ...

Conduct protective relay testing, calibration, and programming for various manufacturers. * Perform circuit breaker and switchgear testing, including timing tests, primary and secondary injection ...

VA · On-site

$45.12 - $56.39/hr

Conduct protective relay testing, calibration, and programming for various manufacturers. * Perform circuit breaker and switchgear testing, including timing tests, primary and secondary injection ...

Showing results 21-40

Relay Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$57.5K

$98.1K

$193.3K

How much do relay engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for relay engineer in Virginia is $98,055.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,400.00 and $101,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a relay engineer in the power utility industry?

As a Relay Engineer, your daily tasks often involve designing and reviewing protection schemes, performing relay settings calculations, and conducting testing or commissioning of relay systems at substations. You may also be responsible for analyzing relay operations during power system events, troubleshooting issues, and preparing technical reports or documentation. Many Relay Engineers work closely with field technicians, project managers, and other engineering disciplines to ensure seamless system integration and operational safety. The role may require both office-based design work and on-site fieldwork, depending on project needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the relay engineer position, and why are they important?

A Relay Engineer requires solid knowledge of electrical engineering principles, relay protection schemes, and power system analysis, usually supported by a degree in electrical engineering and relevant field experience. Familiarity with relay testing equipment, SCADA systems, and industry-recognized certifications such as NETA or IEEE standards is highly beneficial. Exceptional problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are important soft skills for success in this role. These abilities ensure accurate design, installation, and maintenance of protection systems, which are critical for maintaining the reliability and safety of electrical networks.

What is a relay engineer?

A Relay Engineer is responsible for the design, testing, and maintenance of protection and control systems for electrical power grids. They ensure that relays and protective devices function correctly to prevent faults and maintain system reliability. Their work involves analyzing system data, programming relays, and coordinating with utility companies to enhance power system stability.

Infographic showing various Relay Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,055 per year, or $47.1 per hour.

Power Systems Protection Engineer

Rosendin Electric, Inc.

Sterling, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 days ago


Rosendin Electric rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 53 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

24th of 80 rated construction


Job description

Whether you're a recent grad or a seasoned professional, you can experience meaningful career growth at Rosendin. Enjoy a true sense of ownership as you work with a proven industry leader on some of the most exciting and high-profile projects in the nation. We offer a wide range of job opportunities, competitive compensation, full benefits, an Employee Stock Ownership Plan and more.

Why Rosendin?Committed. Innovative. Engaged.

If you're looking to take your career to the next level and work with some of the best and brightest in the industry, we want to hear from you. Since our founding over 100+ years ago, Rosendin has been driven to positively impact the communities where we live and work. We are an organization built on integrity and we have a culture that empowers people, embraces diversity, and inspires everyone to do their best. As one of the largest EMPLOYEE-OWNED electrical contractors in the United States, you will have the unique benefit of being a shareholder at a company that is experiencing tremendous growth and success. When our people succeed and fuel our success, we reward them. We'd love to have you as a shareholder!

YOUR NEXT OPPORTUNITY:

Power System Protection Engineer III is a senior-level engineering position responsible for performing protection studies and developing relay settings to support the implementation, commissioning, and testing of protection systems for electrical power networks. This role focuses on designing and applying protection strategies for medium and high-voltage systems serving mission critical, commercial, and industrial facilities. The position requires advanced technical expertise, the ability to work independently on complex protection challenges, and the capability to mentor and train other engineering staff.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:
  • Design, specification, setting calculation, and coordination of protective relaying and relay control schemes.

  • Develop protection schemes and relay settings for electrical equipment, including transformers, generators, transmission lines, feeders, and buses, in accordance with client requirements and system specifications.

  • Develop and configure protection relay settings, including overcurrent, differential, distance and backup protection relays.

  • Perform coordination studies to ensure proper relay operation and minimize system downtime during fault conditions.

  • Use power system modeling tools (e.g. ETAP, SKM, CAPE, ASPEN) to simulate and analyze protection systems, fault scenarios, and equipment ratings.

  • Conduct studies such as fault analysis, short circuit, AC and DC arc flash and harmonics studies.

  • Support field testing, commissioning, and validation of protection relays and control systems to ensure proper operation and compliance with project requirements.

  • Diagnose and troubleshoot relay protection issues, perform root cause analysis, and develop corrective actions for mis-operations or unexpected trips.

  • Collaborate with other engineers, project managers, and clients to ensure the successful implementation of protection systems.

  • Prepare technical documentation, including relay settings, test reports, system protection studies, and coordination diagrams.

  • Ensure compliance with applicable industry standards and regulatory requirements (e.g., IEEE, IEC, NEC, NFPA 70E, NERC).

  • Act as a proactive technical leader, guiding project teams, solving complex protection challenges, and supporting project execution across all phases from design through commissioning.

WHAT YOU BRING TO US:
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) with a power systems focus.

  • 6+ years relevant application experience in protection and relay settings for electric power systems supporting mission critical infrastructure, commercial and industrial facilities and substations.

  • A U.S.-based Professional Engineer (PE) registration is required.

  • High proficiency with power system modeling tools such as ETAP, SKM, ASPEN, and CAPE.

  • Applied knowledge and experience of Power system Protection on: Overcurrent / Over-Undervoltage, Transformer Differential, High and Low Impedance Busbar Differential, Generator Protection, Motor Protection, and Medium/High Voltage Line Differential and Distance Protection.

  • Strong experience developing protection schemes and relay settings for redundant power architectures supporting data centers and other mission critical facilities.

  • High proficiency in relay settings development and programming for SEL, Siemens, and GE protective relays.

  • Experience developing and managing relay settings files using vendor software such as SEL AcSELerator, GE Enervista, or equivalent.

  • Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop technical teams.

  • Strong leadership, written and oral communication, and organizational skills.

  • Strong computer skills with the ability to identify and apply appropriate software tools to support complex engineering analysis.

  • Proven ability to manage

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL:
  • Advanced experience using Mathcad and Microsoft Excel for developing protective setting calculation sheets.

  • Working knowledge of NERC reliability standards, particularly PRC-019/023/024/025/026/027

  • Experience with commonly utilized communication protocols (DNP, SEL, MMS, Modbus, etc).

  • Working Knowledge of IEC 61850 (GOOSE, MMS, SV) and its application in modern substations and mission critical facilities.

  • Experience designing and supporting protection systems for redundant power topologies (e.g., N, N+1, 2N) common to data center electrical systems.

  • Proven ability to lead small to mid-size projects, including management of schedules, budgets, staffing, and technical execution.

  • Experience supporting proposal development including scope of work, level of work, engineering estimates, and schedule.

  • Strong leadership skills with a demonstrated interest in training and developing early career engineers.

  • Demonstrated success managing complex protection engineering tasks within multidisciplinary, fast-paced project environments.

TRAVEL:
  • Up to 50% (Does not include local field visits)

WORKING CONDITIONS:
  • General work environment - sitting for long periods, standing, walking, typing, carrying, pushing, bending. Work is conducted primarily indoors with varying environmental conditions, such as fluorescent lighting and air conditioning

  • Noise level is usually low to medium

  • Occasional lifting of up to 40 lbs.

  • We fully comply with the ADA and applicable state law, including considering reasonable accommodation measures that may enable qualified disabled applicants and employees to perform essential functions.

YOU Matter - Our Benefits
  • ESOP - Employee Stock Ownership

  • 401K

  • Annual bonus program based upon performance, profitability, and achievement

  • 17 PTO days per year plus 10 paid holidays

  • Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

  • Term Life, AD&D Insurance, and Voluntary Life Insurance

  • Disability Income Protection Insurance

  • Pre-tax Flexible Spending Plans (Health and Dependent Care)

  • Charitable Giving Match with our Rosendin Foundation

Our success is rooted in our people. We all come together around long-term vision and a sense of shared ownership. As a group, we do whatever it takes to ensure the success of our business...and your career.

Rosendin Electric is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.Employment decisions are considered regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.


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