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Relay Protection Engineer Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Engineer, E&I

Rockford, IL · On-site +1

$140K - $180K/yr

The position of E&I Engineer will provide technical direction to assigned design efforts pre-and ... in relay protection and controls. Location and Travel Details: This is a remote role and can be ...

Engineer, E&I

Aurora, IL · On-site +1

$140K - $180K/yr

The position of E&I Engineer will provide technical direction to assigned design efforts pre-and ... in relay protection and controls. Location and Travel Details: This is a remote role and can be ...

Engineer, E&I

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$140K - $180K/yr

The position of E&I Engineer will provide technical direction to assigned design efforts pre-and ... in relay protection and controls. Location and Travel Details: This is a remote role and can be ...

Review and analyze protective relay event records to determine fault type and protective relay ... Knowledge of engineering designs, principles and practices. * Knowledge of complex field test ...

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Showing results 1-20

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 Jun 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 is the meaning of the word relay?

In the context of a Relay Protection Engineer, a relay is an electrical device that detects faults or abnormal conditions in power systems and automatically triggers circuit breakers to isolate the problem. Relays are essential for protecting equipment and maintaining system stability, often requiring knowledge of electrical circuits and control systems. Proper relay settings and testing are critical skills for this role.

What is the movie relay about summary?

A relay protection engineer focuses on designing and maintaining relay systems that protect electrical power systems from faults. The role involves understanding electrical circuits, troubleshooting relay devices, and ensuring system reliability, often requiring knowledge of protective relays, control systems, and industry standards.

What is the definition of a relay?

A relay is an electrical device used in relay protection engineering to detect faults and automatically disconnect faulty sections of a power system. It operates by sensing electrical conditions such as current or voltage and triggering circuit breakers to isolate issues, ensuring system stability and safety. Proper understanding of relay types and settings is essential for relay protection engineers to design effective protection schemes.

Who is relay parcel delivery?

A relay protection engineer is a professional who designs, tests, and maintains relay protection systems used in electrical power grids to prevent equipment damage and ensure system stability. They work with protective relays, control systems, and automation tools to coordinate the operation of circuit breakers and other devices during faults or abnormal conditions.

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:
What job categories do people searching Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Illinois look for? The top searched job categories for Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Illinois are:
Engineer, E&I

Engineer, E&I

MasTec Industrial

Rockford, IL • On-site, Remote

$140K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday


MasTec rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 151 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

31st of 78 rated construction


Job description

Overview:

The position of E&I Engineer will provide technical direction to assigned design efforts pre-and post-award of projects and will report to the Engineering Department Manager. This position will play a critical role on the project development team and must have experience in high-voltage, switchyard or substation design as well as be an expert in relay protection and controls.

Location and Travel Details: This is a remote role and can be based anywhere in the United States. Must be able to travel up to 30% of the time.

Company Overview

MasTec Industrial, along with sister companies Casey Industrial and Phoenix Industrial, has served the power industry since 1947. We support utilities, developers, and municipalities with EPC services and project development expertise.


Ranked by ENR as the #1 Power Contractor, we specialize in natural gas, oil, biomass, and waste-to-energy projects. Our team brings over 30 years of experience in utility and industrial systems, including simple and combined cycle plants and reciprocating engines.

We’re committed to delivering quality, safety, and value at every project phase, from concept to operations. At MasTec Industrial, we invest in top talent and foster a respectful, inclusive environment where employees thrive as innovative leaders.

The MasTec Industrial market sector is part of the MasTec Clean Energy & Infrastructure business segment. MasTec’s Clean Energy & Infrastructure (CE&I) segment generates over $4 billion in annual revenue, providing construction services across industrial, renewables and infrastructure sectors. Sustainability and safety are foundational to our culture and influence everything we do.

MasTec, a minority-owned Fortune 500 company, has shaped the construction industry for more than 90 years. With over 35,000 employees and 400 offices nationwide, we provide flexibility and career growth in dynamic work environments. 

Responsibilities:
  • Review RFP/RFQ/Contract packages for technical requirements
  • Prepare and maintain proposal technical exceptions and clarifications during the proposal process
  • Develop technical bid packages for equipment and subcontractors
  • Prepare technical evaluations and technical recommendations for equipment and subcontractors
  • Monitor, support and administer technical subcontractors
  • Review engineering deliverables for accuracy and Contract compliance
  • Manage 3rd party engineers for progress, quality, and cost for specific discipline
  • Provide input to schedule development
  • Provide input to estimating regarding quantities and scope
  • Support development of project reports and status updates
  • Facilitate constructability reviews with engineering and construction parties
  • Support construction and commissioning during and after completion of design engineering, for example RFI responses
  • Develop project division of responsibilities
  • Development of technical elements of project execution plans
  • Visit sites as needed to assist on-site as required
  • Visit subcontractors and suppliers to monitor progress and quality as required
  • Support project closeout
Qualifications:

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

  • 4-8 years of relevant experience in engineering
  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering
  • PE Certification and desire and ability to obtain PE Certification in other states as a required for projects
  • Capable to visit construction sites and operating industrial plants

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

  • Be knowledgeable of MIC Health and Safety programs and project specific regulations.
  • When on-site, actively participate in daily toolbox meetings with crews and subcontractors.
  • Set a personal example of safe behavior.
  • Enthusiastic, willing to learn and flexible regarding day-to-day responsibilities
  • Skilled in oral and written communication
  • Passionate to be a technical team member to accomplish a high-quality product that satisfies the contractual requirements within budget and schedule
  • Technical interdisciplinary communication and knowledge to enable other technical groups to produce a high-quality product
  • Knowledgeable in industry standards, specifications and organizations
  • Experience with execution of multiple EPC projects from bid through project completion
  • Experience in developing, executing and presenting a high-quality proposal to management
  • Other may duties may be assigned

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: This position requires prolonged sitting at a desk and working at a computer. Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds at times.

What's in it for you:

Financial Wellbeing

  • Compensation $140,000 - $180,000 per year, commensurate with experience.
  • Competitive pay with ongoing performance review and merit increase
  • 401(k) with company match & Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
  • Flexible spending account (Healthcare & Dependent care)

Health & Wellness

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (plan choice) - coverage for spouse, domestic partner, and children
  • Diabetes Management, Telehealth Coverage, Prescription Drug Plan, Pet Insurance

Family & Lifestyle

  • Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays, Bereavement Leave
  • Military Leave, including Differential Pay and Benefits Continuation
  • Employee Assistance Program

Planning for the Unexpected

  • Short and long-term disability, life insurance, and accidental death & dismemberment
  • Voluntary life insurance, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity coverage
  • Emergency Travel Assistance Program
  • Group legal plan

Position may be subject to pre-employment screening, which may include background check and drug testing. Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process, contact ceicareers@mastec.com. Due to the high volume of applications received, we are unable to respond to individual requests regarding application status. Please log into your candidate profile for up-to-date information. 

MasTec, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran. The Company's policy is not to unlawfully discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military status, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state, or local laws. The Company also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also MasTec's policy to comply with all applicable state, federal and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.

Disclaimer: MasTec and our Subsidiaries will never ask prospective employees for any form of payment or money transfer as part of job application or onboarding. We do not ask prospective employees for information about credit cards or personal passwords, and it does not require applicants to purchase equipment or software. Ensure that all recruiter email addresses end in @mastec.com or @talent.icims.com. If you suspect you are the target of a scam, we advise you to contact your local law enforcement agency and report fraud at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.

MasTec Clean Energy & Infrastructure and our subsidiaries do not work with any third-party recruiters or agencies without a valid signed agreement and partnership with the Corporate Talent Acquisition Team.

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