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Relay Protection Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

GAI Consultants is seeking a Relay Settings Engineer (EIT 2) with protective relay experience for transmission and distribution systems. The successful candidate will work on various substation and ...

GAI Consultants is seeking a Relay Settings Engineer (EIT 2) with protective relay experience for transmission and distribution systems. The successful candidate will work on various substation and ...

Electric Power Systems (EPS) is a NETA-accredited independent electrical testing and engineering ... Perform installation, commissioning, testing and maintenance of protective relaying equipment.

Electric Power Systems (EPS) is a NETA-accredited independent electrical testing and engineering ... Analyze protection schemes for power circuits and other power system components. * Perform ...

Electric Power Systems (EPS) is a NETA-accredited independent electrical testing and engineering ... Analyze protection schemes for power circuits and other power system components. * Perform ...

Relay Technician II

Willowbrook, IL · On-site

$40 - $55/hr

Electric Power Systems (EPS) is a NETA-accredited independent electrical testing and engineering ... Perform installation, commissioning, testing and maintenance of protective relaying equipment.

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Relay Protection Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$65.4K

$114.4K

$178.3K

How much do relay protection engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for relay protection engineer in Illinois is $114,387.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,300.00 and $126,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Relay Protection Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Relay Protection Engineer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering, power systems analysis, and relay protection principles, often supported by a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Proficiency with protection relay test equipment, power system simulation software (such as ETAP or SEL), and familiarity with industry standards like IEEE and NERC are commonly required, along with certifications such as Professional Engineer (PE) being advantageous. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for this role. These skills enable accurate system protection designs, reliable operation, and clear collaboration with operations and maintenance teams to ensure electrical grid reliability.

What are typical daily responsibilities for a Relay Protection Engineer?

A Relay Protection Engineer's daily tasks often include reviewing and designing protection schemes for substations and transmission lines, configuring and testing relay settings, and analyzing system events or faults to determine causes and solutions. They may also be responsible for drafting technical reports and documentation, coordinating with other engineers and field technicians, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations and standards. Team collaboration is frequent, as projects often require input from system planning, operations, and maintenance staff. On-the-job learning is ongoing, with opportunities to work on diverse projects and advance into specialized roles or leadership positions over time.

What is a Relay Protection Engineer job?

A Relay Protection Engineer is responsible for designing, testing, and maintaining protective relay systems used in power grids to ensure electrical equipment operates safely and reliably. They analyze system faults, coordinate relay settings, and troubleshoot failures to prevent damage to transformers, generators, and transmission lines. Their role involves working with utilities, industrial plants, and substations to enhance power system stability and efficiency.

What are the most commonly searched types of Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Illinois? The most popular types of Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Illinois are:
Infographic showing various Relay Protection Engineer job openings in Illinois as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,387 per year, or $55 per hour.
Sr Engineer - Transmission & Substation Protection Analysis

Sr Engineer - Transmission & Substation Protection Analysis

ComEd

Oakbrook Terrace, IL • On-site

$103K - $141K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


ComEd rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 26 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Who We Are: We're powering a cleaner, brighter future.
Exelon is leading the energy transformation, and we're calling all problem solvers, innovators, community builders and change makers. Work with us to deliver solutions that make our diverse cities and communities stronger, healthier and more resilient.
We're powered by purpose-driven people like you who believe in being inclusive and creative, and value safety, innovation, integrity and community service. We are a Fortune 200 company, 20,000 colleagues strong serving more than 10.7 million customers at six energy companies -- Atlantic City Electric (ACE), Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE), Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), Delmarva Power & Light (DPL), PECO Energy Company (PECO), and Potomac Electric Power Company (Pepco).
We're committed to creating an environment where every person can thrive. Our employee experience is grounded in four tenets that guide how we support our people: purposeful careers, growth opportunities, community impact, and support to thrive.
In our relentless pursuit of excellence, we elevate diverse voices, fresh perspectives and bold thinking. And since we know transforming the future of energy is hard work, we provide competitive compensation, incentives, excellent benefits and the opportunity to build a rewarding career.
Are you in? Primary Purpose:

Sr Engineer - Transmission & Substation Protection Analysis will provide operational analysis and support to multiple areas for transmission, distribution, and substation automatic operations and for system faults. Provide operational analysis for abnormal transmission, distribution, and substation and associated equipment conditions. Analyze protection system failures including providing root causes and feedback to design engineering as required. Provide a single point of contact to operations, field testing group, and other engineering and field personnel for analysis of risk and prioritizing work related to operating equipment with degraded protection systems. Support power quality and claims investigations. Position may be required to work extended hours, including coverage during storms or other energy delivery emergencies.

Primary Duties:
  • Provide fault location information on an immediate basis for all 69kV and above line automatic operations (trip and reclose or lockout), all critical 34kV line operations (eg airport lines), and 34kV line operations where load is down on an immediate basis. Fault location for trip and reclose of 34kV line operations is generally provided on the next business day.
  • Provide guidance to transmission and distribution operations, field testing group, and others on system alarm conditions, degraded protection conditions, event analysis, etc.
  • Review and analyze protective relay event records to determine fault type and protective relay performance. Provide recommendations and implements action plans to improve performance and cost effectiveness.
  • Provide system event information to support power quality investigations related to customer complaints. Provide system event information to support claims department investigations.
  • Utilize PI (SCADA Historian) to observe pre/post event system data and analyze events.
  • From relay target data and equipment operations, evaluate protection and equipment performance for the event. Generate Corrective Maintenance (CM's) Work Requests to address identified abnormalities and where extended conditions identify a systematic problem, programs will be created to resolve the identified condition.
  • Provide direction to Operations, T&S, and Asset Management areas based on the event analysis and areas to focus efforts.
  • Perform CAPE/CYME fault studies to determine/confirm fault location as well as validate system model. Utilize the FALLS lightning service to validate lightning strikes in proximity to equipment and event times.
  • From relay target data and equipment operations, evaluate protection and equipment performance for the event. Corrective Maintenance (CM's) Work Requests are generated to address identified abnormalities and where extended conditions identify a systematic problem; programs will be created to resolve the identified condition.
  • Participate in technical and industry societies and committees to enhance knowledge of new technologies or issues in areas of company interest.
Job Scope:
  • Influences project decisions having a significant impact on the company.
  • Applies technical knowledge to help promote a safe work environment and to enhance customer satisfaction
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or Licensed Professional Engineer (2) (3) Knowledge of engineering designs, principles and practices
  • Ability to analyze and interpret complex electrical and mechanical systems.
  • Knowledge and ability to apply problem solving approaches and engineering theory.
  • Detailed knowledge of applicable standards, codes methods, and practices unique to areas of expertise.
  • 7+ years of professional engineering experience (1) (3) (See Note 3. Thorough knowledge and experience in unique areas of engineering expertise.
  • Ability to apply advanced engineering principles to identify and resolve complex issues.
  • Minimum of three related career experiences (4) (i.e., changes in technical job responsibilities, which may or may not include a change in department) OR
  • Lead Member of a recognized industry committee OR
  • Professional Engineer's License (2), advanced technical degree, MBA or Project Management Certification (1) Master's degree in Engineering reduces the OJT experience requirement by 1 year. (2) License must be issued by the state in which you are practicing. (3) PE License reduces the OJT experience requirement by 1 year. (4) Career related experiences is defined as changes in technical job responsibilities and does not have to include a change in department.
  • Note: Items (1) and (3) are mutually inclusive, whereby the maximum experience requirement reduction is one (1) year (e.g., in the case of an employee with both a master's degree in Engineering AND a PE license, the minimum experience requirement would be reduced by one (1) year).
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Graduate degree (1) or Graduate level work in Engineering, Business Administration or Project Management Certification
  • Possess Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certification and/or Professional Engineer license (2) (3)
  • Strong teamwork, interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with all management levels.
  • Strong written and oral communication/presentation skills, report generation & technical writing skills
  • Advanced experience in utility infrastructure, such as system analysis, planning, design coordination, standards development, or project execution.
  • A working knowledge of analysis software packages such as CYMDIST, PSS\E, Python, PLS-CAD, Pole Foreman, Power BI, or similar.
Benefits:
  • Annual salary will vary based on a candidate’s skills, qualifications, experience, and other factors: $103,200.00/Yr. – $141,900.00/Yr.
  • Annual Bonus for eligible positions: 15%
  • 401(k) match and annual company contribution
  • Medical, dental and vision insurance
  • Life and disability insurance
  • Generous paid time off options, including vacation, sick time, floating and fixed holidays, maternity leave and bonding/primary caregiver leave or parental leave
  • Employee Assistance Program and resources for mental and emotional support
  • Wellbeing programs such as tuition reimbursement, adoption and surrogacy assistance and fitness reimbursement
  • Referral bonus program
  • And much more

Note: Exelon-sponsored compensation and benefit programs may vary or not apply based on length of service, job grade, job classification or represented status. Eligibility will be determined by the written plan or program documents.

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About ComEd

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

ComEd began as the Western Edison Light Company, one of several companies owned by inventor and researcher Thomas Edison. In July 1892, another Edison employee moved to Chicago to run Edison's local company, Chicago Edison. Sam Insull had a sharp business mind and eagerly increased his knowledge of electricity. Through improved marketing and increased demand for electric lighting, Commonwealth Edison was born in September 1907. ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation, a Fortune 100 energy company with approximately 10 million electricity and natural gas customers. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state’s population. ComEd's service territory borders Iroquois County to the south (roughly Interstate 80), the Wisconsin border to the north, the Iowa border to the west and the Indiana border to the east.

Industry

Utilities

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

1907

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