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Relay Protection Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

VA

$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

$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 ...

VA ยท On-site

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

VA

$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 41-60

Relay Protection Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$66.9K

$117K

$182.4K

How much do relay protection engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for relay protection engineer in Virginia is $117,031.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $101,600.00 and $128,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a relay protection engineer?

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 typical daily responsibilities of 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a relay protection engineer?

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 the most commonly searched types of Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Virginia?

For Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

Infographic showing various Relay Protection Engineer job openings in Virginia as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 6% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 73% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 26% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,031 per year, or $56.3 per hour.

Substation Protection & Control Engineer - REMOTE

Reston, VA โ€ข Remote

ICF
Business Management Consultingย โ€ขย 5 - 10K employees

$102K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Re-posted 26 days ago


Job description

Substation Protection & Control Engineer (Remote)

Location: Remote US

Ready to make a difference?

ICF is seeking a Substation Protection & Control Engineer, to work on the design of relay and protection and control projects on distribution substations at voltages from 12kV to 69kV with the goal of providing excellent quality work for our clients.

We are a relentlessly client-focused group who are re-imagining, re-designing, and re-engineering the way electric utilities tackle industry problems. We are looking for passionate and innovative people who are constantly looking for ways to provide better quality engineering services for our clients.

Why you will love working here:

  • Quality of life: Fully remote, flexible schedule, work-life balance

  • Investment in the community: Donation matching, volunteer opportunities

  • Investment in you: Tuition reimbursement, access to professional development resources, 401k matching, Employee Stock Purchase Plan

  • And many, many more (Ask your recruiter for more details!)

The Ideal Candidate

You are a highly motivated engineer who takes pride in the services you provide. You ensure the project is done right and all deadlines are met. You should be proactive, self-sufficient, and able to productively work out of your home without supervision. You always strive to expand your knowledge and improve work processes to increase quality and efficiency. You are an active member of the team that works well with others and prioritizes the goals of the group. You enjoy taking on new responsibilities and learning new skill sets whenever needed.

What you will be doing:

  • Responsibilities include, but are not limited, to the design and preparation of the following Protection and Control Drawings:

    • Protective Schemes

    • Substation Relay One Lines and Three Lines

    • AC/DC Schematics

    • Substation Panel Layouts

    • Substation Wiring Diagram and Cable Schedule

    • SCADA and Communication Diagrams

  • DC Systems Calculations

  • AC Systems Calculations

  • Development of Equipment Specification and Selection based on Clients Criteria

  • Development of Bill of Materials based on Design Criteria

  • Coordination with physical, settings, and drafting disciplines to ensure quality deliverables

  • Participate in client meetings and perform site visits for data gathering as required

  • Interpreting and incorporating vendor information into design deliverables

  • Apply client standards related to the work

  • Providing field support during construction

  • Perform/ensure company's Quality assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) processes are being followed on all design packages

  • Continuous improvement of job-related engineering, technical and professional knowledge, skills, and performance

What we need you to have (minimum qualifications):

  • BS in Engineering, preferably electrical or computer engineering

  • 2+ years of protection and controls experience

  • 2+ years of experience working with Bluebeam, AutoCAD, and MicroStation

What we would like you to have:

  • 5+ years of protection and controls experience

  • Engineering in Training license (EIT)

  • Professional Engineer License (PE)

  • Advanced user of Microsoft products, specifically Excel, and Word

  • Knowledge of the practical application of industry standards such as: NEC, NESC, IEEE and ANSI

  • Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principals involved in production of technical plans, blueprints and drawings

To learn more about this team and how our grid engineering solutions help electric utilities balance cutting-edge technology with cost-efficiency and reliability> ICF Power Delivery Services

#GEA25

#INDEED

#LI-CC1

#POWERDELIVERY


Bot and Third-Party Applications

Please note that this application must be submitted directly by the applicant for consideration.Failure to do so may result in the application being excluded for consideration.Applicants needing an accommodation for disability or religious purposes in connection with the application process should contactCandidateaccommodation@icf.comfor assistance.

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we're not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer.Together, our employees are empowered to share theirexpertiseand collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read ourEEOpolicy.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals withsincerely heldreligious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To requestan accommodation,please emailCandidateaccommodation@icf.comand we will be happy toassist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extentrequiredto provide needed reasonable accommodations.

Read more aboutworkplacediscriminationrightsor our benefit offerings which are included in theTransparency in (Benefits) CoverageAct.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate orassistwith responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is notpermitted. This policy is in place tomaintainthe integrity and authenticity of the interview process.

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodationthat involves the use of AI. Ifsuch anaccommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance atcandidateaccommodation@icf.com. Weare dedicated to providingthe necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.


Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:

$81,499.00 - $167,644.00Nationwide Remote Office (US99)