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Relay Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Controls Systems Engineer

Oak Forest, IL · On-site

$80K - $104K/yr

Develop, read, and troubleshoot relay-control circuits and hardwired logic, including seal-in circuits, permissives, interlocks, timers, safety relays, and contact cross-references. * Support PLC ...

Controls Systems Engineer

Oak Forest, IL · On-site

$80K - $104K/yr

Develop, read, and troubleshoot relay-control circuits and hardwired logic, including seal-in circuits, permissives, interlocks, timers, safety relays, and contact cross-references.Support PLC, HMI ...

Substation Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$101K - $129K/yr

Perform engineering support tasks such as relay burden, lighting, load flow, and short circuit calculations with minimal supervision. * Apply engineering application software to complete engineering ...

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 ...

Engage directly with utilities on complex grid-interaction issues related to protection schemes, relay settings, and plant control behavior; diagnose misalignment between plant and utility protection ...

General Engineer

Oakbrook Terrace, IL · On-site

$92K - $126K/yr

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 ...

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 ...

Engage directly with utilities on complex grid-interaction issues related to protection schemes, relay settings, and plant control behavior; diagnose misalignment between plant and utility protection ...

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 ...

Support projects involving breaker and switch replacements, relay panel replacements, RTU replacements, ring bus expansions, and line, bus, and transformer relay upgrades. * Coordinate with ...

Showing results 21-40

Relay information

See Illinois salary details

$51.4K

$90.4K

$114.3K

How much do relay jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for relay in Illinois is $90,366.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,900.00 and $103,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a relay technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Relay Technician, you need a solid understanding of electrical theory, circuit analysis, and relay protection principles, typically supported by an associate degree or technical certification in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with relay testing equipment, SCADA systems, and industry standards like NETA or IEEE is essential. Strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective troubleshooting skills are crucial soft skills for diagnosing and resolving complex electrical issues. These competencies ensure the reliability and safety of power systems, minimizing downtime and protecting critical infrastructure.

What are some common challenges faced by relay operators, and how can they be effectively managed?

Relay Operators often face the challenge of maintaining focus during repetitive tasks and managing high call volumes, especially during peak hours. They must also ensure clear and accurate message transmission between callers, which requires excellent listening skills and attention to detail. Managing stress and staying organized are important, as operators frequently handle sensitive or urgent information. Regular breaks, effective time management, and ongoing training can help operators perform efficiently and reduce burnout.

What does a relay worker do?

Relay workers are responsible for operating and maintaining electrical relays, which are devices used to control circuits by opening and closing contacts in response to electrical signals. Their work is crucial in power systems, as relays help protect electrical equipment from faults and ensure reliable operation. Relay workers may install, test, troubleshoot, and repair relay systems in various settings, including substations and industrial facilities. They play a key role in maintaining the safety and stability of electrical networks.

What is the difference between Relay vs Data Analyst?

AspectRelayData Analyst
Required CredentialsTechnical certifications, programming skillsDegree in statistics, data science, or related field
Work EnvironmentData centers, network operationsOffice, remote, or client sites
Industry UsageIT, telecommunications, logisticsBusiness, finance, marketing
Common Search IntentNetworking, data transmissionData analysis, reporting

Relay roles focus on data transmission and network operations, requiring technical skills and certifications. Data Analysts interpret data to provide insights, often working in business environments. While both work with data, their skills, tools, and industries differ significantly.

Infographic showing various Relay job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $90,366 per year, or $43.4 per hour.

$100K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

K&A Power Group is a privately held company, providing comprehensive consulting, engineering and design, program/project management, construction management, and support services to power utility and industrial clients. Specializing in substation, transmission, distribution, distributed energy resources, and EPC services, we excel in solving complex challenges with precision-driven solutions. We pride ourselves on employing top talent, fostering a culture of excellence, and building meaningful relationships with clients and employees.

Powered By Innovation, Passion, And Purpose.

Start your K&A Career:

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Senior Substation Engineer to join our team at K&A Engineering in Oakbrook, IL. In this role, you will have the opportunity to work on exciting and challenging projects that make a real impact in the energy and utility sectors. Youll be part of a dynamic, people-focused team where your expertise, ideas, and contributions will be valued and celebrated.

Role Expectations:

  • Perform detailed review of all existing protection schemes present in the subject area to incorporate into new design. Special areas of focus are anti-islanding schemes, generator intertie settings, SPS schemes, etc. (anything outside of normal). Basically, the goal is to ensure that we dont remove required protections already in place or at least be aware of how things work today before we modify existing schemes.
  • Lead overall protection design for all capital projects and define relay protection functionality/scheme in accordance with client standards
  • Review contractor provided relay settings, logic diagrams (including Goose messaging diagrams), and operational descriptions for all capital projects
  • Review/perform area relay coordination and determine what level of area coordination is required/needed (based on changes in fault duty and overall system performance due to the project changes)
  • Review contractor provided relay settings for all temporary builds and construction sequence steps including mobile settings
  • Review/provide input to Customers Aspen model changes as required for individual capital projects
  • Provide design support during implementation/testing and commissioning of the above the items
  • Provide feedback to Customer on existing TM standards and help refine the Customers design practices
  • Ensure all as-built documentation gets filed appropriately in the plant filing location at Customer
  • Lead overall automation and integration design for all capital projects
  • Review/design SCADA point indexes
  • Review contractor provided HMI screens/settings for all capital projects
  • Review/design Protection settings and settings basis
  • Review/design IED Data Maps
  • Review/create substation level operational descriptions (HMI operation, relay front panel operation, etc.)
  • Review automated maintenance data gathering (Digital Substation Data) point lists
  • Track all required licenses/firewalls and key automation and integration deliverables needed for project implementation
  • Provide design support during implementation/testing and commissioning of the above items
  • Perform constructability review and ensure adequate automation and integration coverage is available for each outage step (SCADA etc.)

What were looking for:

  • Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) with a strong background and knowledge of all utilities engineering disciplines
  • 6+ years or more of relay/protection settings engineering experience
  • Proficient in Microsoft Project, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
  • Proven experience in Substation Design should include general arrangement, electrical equipment plans, elevation and section views, Equipment cable trays, cable design, conduit fill calcs, rigid bus calcs
  • Professional level skills in MicroStation, AutoCAD
  • PE requested

Pay Range $100,000$130,000/annually

Why Join K&A?
People-First Culture:
We put our people at the center of everything we do, creating an environment where your professional and personal growth is a top priority.
Innovation & Learning: We encourage continuous learning and invest in your development through training, mentorship, and hands-on experience.
Collaborative Team Environment: We believe in the power of collaboration and working together to achieve the best outcomes for our clients and employees.
Recognition & Growth: Weve earned our reputation through uncompromising precision and a commitment to excellence. As an agile and fast-growing company, we offer plenty of opportunities for your career advancement and growth.
Competitive Compensation & Benefits: We offer a comprehensive benefits package for eligible classified employees, including but not limited to:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • FSA, HSA, and Dependent Care Spending Account
  • 401K (Traditional and Roth with Company Match)
  • Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA)
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Paid Holidays and Flexible PTO
  • Tuition Reimbursement, Parking and Transit Reimbursement, and Pet Insurance
  • Long-Term Disability, Short-Term Disability, and Life Insurance
  • EAP (Employee Assistance Program)

Check out our career page for more information!

The salary range for this role considers a wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to technical ability, experience and training, licenses and certifications, and other related skillsets. The disclosed range is an estimate and has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled.