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Senior Protective Relay Engineer Jobs in California

HDR

System Protection and Studies Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

Provide protective relay construction support. * Provide P&C support with scheme development and design reviews. * Work under the direct supervision of a Senior Engineer, APM, or PM. * Work ...

HDR

System Protection and Studies Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

Provide protective relay construction support. * Provide P&C support with scheme development and design reviews. * Work under the direct supervision of a Senior Engineer, APM, or PM. * Work ...

baker

Sr. Power Systems Engineer (PE)

Baker, CA · On-site

$109K - $150K/yr

Develop and review relay protection philosophies, control schematics, relay settings documentation, and commissioning requirements utilizing platforms such as SEL, Basler, and similar protection and ...

347 Group, Inc.

Be Seen First

Power Systems Engineer - Onsite

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$93K - $132K/yr

... protective relay reports. * Provide Protection and Controls (P&C) support with scheme development and design reviews. * Ability to work independently on tasks as well as assist the senior engineers ...

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Senior Protective Relay Engineer information

What does a senior protective relay engineer do?

A Senior Protective Relay Engineer is responsible for designing, testing, and maintaining protective relaying systems used to detect electrical faults and protect power systems. They analyze system requirements, develop relay settings, and ensure the correct operation of protective devices to prevent equipment damage and ensure safety. These engineers often lead teams, oversee relay installation and commissioning, and troubleshoot complex issues within substations and transmission systems. Their expertise is crucial for maintaining reliable and safe electrical power delivery.

What are some typical challenges faced by senior protective relay engineers during system upgrades or retrofits?

Senior Protective Relay Engineers often encounter challenges when managing system upgrades or retrofits, such as integrating new relay technologies with existing infrastructure and ensuring minimal downtime during transitions. Coordinating with other engineering teams, utility operations, and field technicians is essential to resolve compatibility issues and maintain system reliability. Additionally, staying current with evolving industry standards and regulatory requirements is crucial to ensure all protection schemes remain compliant and effective.

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

To thrive as a Senior Protective Relay Engineer, you need a deep understanding of power system protection, relay coordination, and a degree in electrical engineering, often paired with a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Proficiency with relay testing equipment, industry-standard software like SEL AcSELerator, and familiarity with SCADA and microprocessor-based relays are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set outstanding professionals apart in this role. These skills are crucial for ensuring electrical grid reliability, system safety, and successful project delivery in complex utility environments.

What is the difference between Senior Protective Relay Engineer vs Protective Relay Engineer?

AspectSenior Protective Relay EngineerProtective Relay Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in electrical engineering; certifications like IEEE or NETABachelor's degree in electrical engineering; certifications like IEEE or NETA
Work EnvironmentDesign, testing, and troubleshooting protective relay systems in power substations or utility companiesAssist in relay system installation, testing, and maintenance in power plants or utilities
Industry UsageUsed in utility companies, power generation, and transmission sectorsCommonly employed in similar settings, often as entry to mid-level roles

The main difference between a Senior Protective Relay Engineer and a Protective Relay Engineer lies in experience and responsibility. Senior engineers typically lead projects, perform complex analysis, and mentor junior staff, while Protective Relay Engineers focus on supporting relay system installation and testing. Both roles require similar credentials and work in comparable environments within the power industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Protective Relay Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Protective Relay Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Protective Relay Engineer jobs in California?

For Senior Protective Relay Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Protective Relay Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Protective Relay Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Senior Protective Relay Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Senior Protective Relay Engineer job openings:

Senior Protective Relay Engineer jobs near you

Senior Relay Technician - Utility & High-Voltage Protection - Union

Asplundh Electrical Testing, LLC

Palmdale, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Description
About the Role
At Asplundh Electrical Testing, safety is not a priority-it is our foundation. The Senior Relay Technician plays a critical role in ensuring the safe, reliable operation of medium- and high-voltage utility substations through advanced protective relay testing, commissioning, and maintenance activities.
This position is ideal for professionals with a utility background who have hands-on experience testing and commissioning transmission and distribution protection systems. You will serve as a technical lead in the field, guide crews through complex outage work, and reinforce Asplundh's reputation for safety, precision, and service excellence.
We are experiencing strong growth and are immediately hiring Senior Relay Technicians with deep expertise in protection and control, relay schemes, and substation energization. If you enjoy solving complex protection challenges, leading safe work execution, and influencing system reliability at scale, we'd like to speak with you.
As a NETA-accredited, independent electrical testing and engineering organization, Asplundh Electrical Testing sets the benchmark for technical excellence and unwavering safety across the utility, renewable energy, data center, and industrial sectors.
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer at the time of hire. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
What You'll Do
  • Lead job briefings and safety tailboards, reinforcing a "Safety First, Always" field culture
  • Perform protective relay testing, calibration, troubleshooting, and commissioning on medium- and high-voltage systems
  • Test and validate transmission and distribution protection schemes, including:
    • Distance, differential, overcurrent, breaker failure, and bus protection
  • Verify control and protection circuits for:
    • Power transformers
    • Medium- and high-voltage circuit breakers
    • Feeder relays
    • Capacitor banks and reactors
  • Support outage planning, switching coordination, energization, and restoration activities
  • Perform event analysis, relay target review, and disturbance investigations
  • Lead and mentor onsite technicians; coordinate work execution with project managers, system operators, and utility customers
  • Create and maintain accurate test reports, as-left settings, and field documentation
  • Participate in job walks, project estimating, and customer technical discussions
  • Serve as a technical resource and trainer for developing relay technicians

Travel Requirements:
Work is performed at customer sites throughout the assigned region. Regular regional travel is required, with opportunities for extended assignments outside the region as needed.
• Company vehicle provided for regional work-related travel.
What You Bring
  • 5+ years of hands-on experience in protective relaying for utility substations
  • Demonstrated experience testing medium- to high-voltage (5kV-500kV) protection systems
  • Strong working knowledge of microprocessor-based relays
  • Experience with modern relay test platforms
  • Solid understanding of utility safety rules, energized work practices, and lockout/tagout procedures
  • Ability to interpret:
    • Protection diagrams
    • AC/DC schematics
    • Wiring and logic drawings
  • Valid driver's license; ability to work outdoors, travel, and lift up to 70 lbs

Education & Credentials
  • NETA Level III or IV Certification preferred for Senior roles
    (Candidates at other NETA levels are encouraged to apply for opportunities across the organization)
  • Experience with:
    • Circuit breakers
    • Power transformers
    • Switchgear
    • RTUs and substation communications
  • Technical degree, apprenticeship, or military electrical training
  • OSHA 10 or OSHA 30
  • Valid driver's license with a clean driving history

What We Offer
At Asplundh Electrical Testing, we invest in the well-being of our people. Eligible employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their health, financial security, and work-life balance, including:
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting on day one
  • Retirement plan to help you secure your future
  • Company-provided life insurance for added peace of mind
  • Supplemental life insurance options, including spouse and child coverage
  • A variety of voluntary Aflac supplemental insurance programs
  • Long-term disability coverage
  • Pre-paid legal plan
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support personal and professional well-being
  • Paid time off to recharge and refresh
  • Paid holidays
  • Access to employee discount programs and helpful resources

*Benefits listed above are available to eligible employees. Eligibility requirements and plan provisions apply
Please note: For roles that fall within union-represented territories, certain benefits and employment terms may differ from what's listed here. In those cases, the applicable local union agreement will guide the specific benefits and provisions. We're committed to transparency and will walk you through what applies to your location during the hiring process.
Who We Are
Asplundh Electrical Testing (AET) has been a leading provider of independent electrical testing services since 1981. Headquartered in Foxboro, MA, with regional offices across the country, AET specializes in substation commissioning, acceptance testing, and maintenance for clients in electrical transmission, distribution, and generation. As a NETA-certified company and a member of Asplundh Engineering Services-a subsidiary of Asplundh Infrastructure Group-AET is committed to delivering reliable, high-quality services at competitive prices.
An Asplundh Company
As part of the Asplundh family, AET benefits from extensive resources and a century of experience. Together, we provide utilities with comprehensive end-to-end services, from design to construction, testing, and maintenance, ensuring reliability and peace of mind.
Our Commitment
At AET, we believe in tackling challenges together with our customers, leveraging our collective experience and resources to achieve success in every project.
Benefits
We offer a competitive range of benefits to support our employees' health, well-being, and financial security. Medical, dental, and vision benefits are available to all eligible employees on the first day of employment. For more information on the benefits available for this role, please contact the recruiter or hiring manager.
Individuals with a disability who desire a reasonable accommodation can contact the ADA Coordinator by calling 1-833-222-3066. We partner with the Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Customs and Immigration Service to e-Verify all newly hired employees.
An Equal Opportunity Employer.
Please note:
  • All job offers are subject to pre-employment drug screening and a background check.
  • Unless otherwise noted, we do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.
Notice to Agencies: We only accept resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing services if a Service Agreement has been signed and we have requested recruitment/staffing services for the specific position. Any unsolicited resumes will become the property of the company, and no fees or compensation will be paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or staffing service.

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