ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Relay Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Sargent & Lundy

Lead Substation Engineer 2 - Grid

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$105.70K - $139.20K/yr

Prepare relaying philosophies, including selecting relay, control, and communications equipment ... Prepare engineering studies for client and peer review. * Perform independent reviews of work ...

Sargent & Lundy

Lead Substation Engineer 2 - Grid

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$105.70K - $139.20K/yr

Prepare relaying philosophies, including selecting relay, control, and communications equipment ... Prepare engineering studies for client and peer review. * Perform independent reviews of work ...

Affinity Executive Search

Substation Engineer

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$101.50K - $129.30K/yr

Develop drawings, schematics, layouts, relay panel wiring, grounding, and auxiliary power systems. Perform QA/QC reviews of design packages, mentor junior engineers, and oversee project deliverables.

3B Staffing LLC

BESS Design Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$103K - $141.10K/yr

Role- BESS Design Engineer Working Status: Must be USC Location: Remote in US only but may include ... Relay Settings and configuration of numerical relays

AMPS

Substation Electrical Engineer

Downers Grove, IL · On-site

$28K/mo

... duct, control/relay panels, cable tray). * Coordinate with procurement to evaluate vendor ... Mentor junior engineers/drafters (at more senior levels), provide quality reviews of drawings ...

Sargent & Lundy

Electrical Engineer Manager

Chicago, IL · Hybrid

$142.71K - $215.44K/yr

You will supervise and direct electrical engineers in support of the projects. * You will be ... Prepare and review functional design drawings including single line, relay and metering, cable ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

People also search for

All JobsRelay Engineer JobsRelay Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Relay Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$59.7K

$101.9K

$200.9K

How much do relay engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for relay engineer in Chicago, IL is $101,884.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,100.00 and $105,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Relay Engineer job?

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.

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 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.
More about Relay Engineer jobs
What are popular job titles related to Relay Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? For Relay Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Relay Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Relay Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Relay Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Relay Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 70% Physical, 27% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,884 per year, or $49 per hour.
Lead Substation Engineer 2 - Grid

Lead Substation Engineer 2 - Grid

Sargent & Lundy

Warrenville, IL • On-site

$134.55K - $205.56K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

Description
This position will offer you the ability to directly apply your knowledge of protective relaying and controls systems for HV and EHV substations. As a Lead Substation Engineer, you will:
  • Work on a wide range of substation modifications and upgrades to support client requirements and reviews including creating calculations, document designs, and specifications.
  • Prepare relaying philosophies, including selecting relay, control, and communications equipment, developing SCADA and telecommunication concepts and configurations, and overseeing the preparation of I/O assignments and connection diagrams.
  • Guide junior and senior-level engineers and designers in protection and controls engineering design efforts, including providing guidance with the coordination of detailed design phases for all aspects of the engineering work.
  • Support challenging assignments that include investigating, trouble-shooting, and solving a wide variety of engineering issues.
  • Perform analysis and design of single line diagrams, substation relaying & metering diagrams (i.e. A.C. schematic diagrams), and D.C. Schematic diagrams.
  • Prepare engineering studies for client and peer review.
  • Perform independent reviews of work performed by others including calculations and drawing preparation.
  • Coordinate and provide guidance to other engineers, project managers, client personnel, and suppliers to ensure a complete and timely design.
  • Perform reviews of existing facilities to propose upgrades and replacements, and present findings and recommendations to clients and peers.
  • Develop your career via peer-learning through sharing of knowledge with other experienced engineers by way of Sargent & Lundy's systems of process and associated "Communities of Practice."
  • Provide guidance as a mentor in the development of less experienced engineers.
  • There is the potential for you to travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for construction coordination and field verification of designs.

This role offers a hybrid work arrangement, with the expectation of spending three days a week in the office, giving you the flexibility to work remotely for two days.
Dependent upon your location, this opportunity offers a generous relocation package.
Qualifications
We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.
Essential skills and experience:
  • This position requires a Bachelor of Science Engineering degree.
  • 12 or more years experience designing substations at 138kV and above.
  • PE license.
  • Experience with serving as firm/client liaison in a support or lead engineering role.
  • Experience in writing and providing support documentation for relay calculations.
  • Experience with the design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the production of technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • Proficiency with any of the following programs: SKM, ETAP, ASPEN, CDEGS, or vendor software.
  • Familiarity with design codes and standards, such as NEC, NESC, NEMA, IEEE and ANSI.
  • Experience with various vendor protective relay equipment typically used in substation protection, including SEL, ABB, GE, Areva, and Basler.
  • Proficiency with MS Office applications.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Valued but not required skills and experience:
  • A Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering degree is preferrable.
  • A degree from an ABET accredited engineering program.
  • Prior experience is desirable to include in-line, bus and equipment protection, breaker, transformer and similar equipment control, RTU and data concentrator based SCADA systems, telemetering and communications (fiber optics, microwave, power line carrier, etc.).
  • AutoCAD or MicroStation experience.
  • Construction and start-up experience.
  • Testing or commissioning experience.

AI & Automation at Sargent & Lundy
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.

Award-Winning Benefits
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

Compensation Range
$134,546 - $205,557
Transparency Statement
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.
Awards & Recognition
Equal Opportunity
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

Social media

Facebook

View All Sargent & Lundy Jobs

Apply