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Senior Relay Protection Engineer Jobs in Austin, TX

TAR

Principal Engineer, Protection

Austin, TX · On-site

$150 - $210/hr

You own the protection philosophy, the studies, the relay setting files, and protection design quality; you coordinate the EOR's review and stamp; you are not the project's stamping engineer of ...

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Senior Relay Protection Engineer information

See Austin, TX salary details

$59K

$125.4K

$181.9K

How much do senior relay protection engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior relay protection engineer in Austin, TX is $125,444.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $103,600.00 and $142,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior relay protection engineer?

Senior Relay Protection Engineers are experienced professionals who design, implement, test, and maintain protective relay systems in electrical power networks. They ensure the safety and reliability of power systems by preventing faults and minimizing equipment damage during electrical disturbances. Their responsibilities include developing protection schemes, coordinating settings, conducting system studies, and mentoring junior engineers. Senior Relay Protection Engineers often work in utilities, engineering firms, or industrial facilities and play a critical role in power system stability and safety.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior relay protection engineer?

To thrive as a Senior Relay Protection Engineer, you need deep expertise in power system protection, system analysis, and a degree in electrical engineering, often with a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Proficiency with protective relay software (such as SEL, GE, or ABB), power system simulation tools, and industry standards like IEEE and NERC is crucial. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for leading projects and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These competencies ensure the reliable design, implementation, and troubleshooting of protection systems, which are critical for electrical grid stability and safety.

What are some common challenges faced by senior relay protection engineers, and how can they be addressed?

Senior Relay Protection Engineers often encounter challenges such as integrating new protection technologies with legacy systems, ensuring compliance with evolving industry standards, and managing complex coordination studies. These challenges can be addressed by staying current with continuing education, participating in industry forums, and collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams—including field technicians, project managers, and utility planners. Additionally, leveraging simulation tools and performing thorough testing can help mitigate risks and ensure reliable system protection.

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

AspectSenior Relay Protection EngineerRelay Protection Engineer
CertificationsIEEE, CEA, or equivalentIEEE, CEA, or equivalent
Work Experience5+ years in protection systems1-3 years in protection systems
ResponsibilitiesDesign, oversee, and troubleshoot protection schemes; lead projectsAssist in protection scheme design and testing
Work EnvironmentPower plants, substations, utility companiesPower plants, substations, utility companies

The main difference between a Senior Relay Protection Engineer and a Relay Protection Engineer lies in experience, responsibilities, and leadership roles. Senior engineers typically have more years of experience, handle complex projects, and lead teams, while relay protection engineers focus on supporting design and testing tasks. Both roles are essential in power system protection and often work within the same environments and industries.

What are the most commonly searched types of Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Austin, TX?

The most popular types of Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Austin, TX are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Austin, TX?

For Senior Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Austin, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Austin, TX look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Relay Protection Engineer jobs in Austin, TX are:

Senior Relay Protection Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Relay Protection Engineer job openings in Austin, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 75% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 24% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $125,444 per year, or $60.3 per hour.

Senior Relay Technician - Utility & High-Voltage Protection

Asplundh Electrical Testing, LLC

Round Rock, TX • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday

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. This role can be union or non-union depending on the candidate preference!
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.
Important Information for Applicants:
  • Asplundh Tree Expert, LLC and its family of companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any legally protected characteristic.
  • If you require reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact our ADA Coordinator at 1-800-248-8733, ext. 3656.
  • Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of applicable pre-employment requirements, which include background screening, drug testing, and employment eligibility verification.
  • Compensation determination is based on market data, job scope and individual qualifications.
  • We offer a competitive total rewards package inclusive of health and welfare and retirement benefits, as well as paid time off and holiday pay benefits.
  • Unsolicited resumes without an executed agency agreement become the property of the company.

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