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Substation Relay Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Lead Commissioning Engineer

Columbia, MD ยท On-site

$101K - $134K/yr

Lead Engineer is responsible for training new engineers/technicians in relay testing, equipment testing and substation commissioning. Major Responsibilities This position requires the Commissioning ...

Lead Commissioning Engineer

Columbia, MD ยท On-site

$101K - $134K/yr

Lead Engineer is responsible for training new engineers/technicians in relay testing, equipment testing and substation commissioning. Major Responsibilities This position requires the Commissioning ...

Develops procedures and assists with the testing and commissioning of protective relay systems and SCADA equipment for transmission, substation and distribution equipment. Test and Commissions local ...

Showing results 41-60

Substation Relay information

What is a substation relay technician?

Substation Relay technicians are specialized professionals who install, maintain, test, and repair protective relays and control equipment in electrical substations. Their primary role is to ensure the safe and reliable operation of power systems by monitoring and troubleshooting the complex relay systems that protect electrical grids from faults and overloads. They work with high-voltage equipment, perform regular testing, and respond to emergencies to minimize power outages and equipment damage. This job requires a strong understanding of electrical systems, attention to detail, and adherence to safety procedures. Substation Relay technicians often collaborate with engineers, field crews, and utility companies to keep the power grid running efficiently.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a substation relay technician?

To thrive as a Substation Relay Technician, you need a solid understanding of electrical theory, protection systems, and troubleshooting, often backed by an associate's degree in electrical engineering technology or a related field. Familiarity with relay testing equipment, SCADA systems, and relevant certifications like NETA or OSHA safety training is typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective communication help technicians excel in diagnosing and preventing system faults. These skills are crucial to ensuring the reliable and safe operation of electrical substations, minimizing downtime and protecting infrastructure.

What challenges are typically faced when working as a substation relay technician, and how can they be managed?

Substation Relay Technicians often face the challenge of troubleshooting complex protection and control systems under tight deadlines, especially during outages or emergencies. They must also ensure compliance with strict safety standards and keep up with evolving technology in relay protection equipment. Managing these challenges involves continuous technical training, careful adherence to safety protocols, and effective communication with engineers and other field personnel to coordinate maintenance and testing activities. By staying current with industry best practices and fostering teamwork, technicians can address these obstacles efficiently.

What is the difference between Substation Relay vs Substation Technician?

AspectSubstation RelaySubstation Technician
CertificationsRelay protection certifications, electrical licensesElectrical technician licenses, safety certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign, testing, and troubleshooting relay systems in substationsInstallation, maintenance, and repair of substation equipment
Employer & Industry UsagePower utilities, electrical engineering firmsUtility companies, electrical contractors
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding relay roles in substationsMaintenance and operational roles in substations

While both roles are essential in substation operations, a Substation Relay focuses on designing, testing, and troubleshooting relay protection systems, ensuring electrical safety and system reliability. In contrast, a Substation Technician handles the installation, maintenance, and repair of various substation equipment. Both roles require electrical knowledge and certifications but serve different functions within the substation environment.

What does a substation relay do?

A substation relay is a protective device used in electrical substations to detect faults or abnormal conditions in the power system. It automatically triggers circuit breakers to isolate faulty equipment, ensuring system stability and safety. Substation relay technicians need knowledge of electrical systems and relay settings to maintain proper operation.

What does a substation relay technician do?

A substation relay technician installs, tests, maintains, and repairs protective relays and associated equipment in electrical substations. They ensure the proper functioning of relay systems that protect electrical infrastructure from faults, often using testing tools and following safety protocols. This role requires technical knowledge of electrical systems and may involve working with control systems and circuit diagrams.

What cities in Washington are hiring for Substation Relay jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Substation Relay job openings:

Infographic showing various Substation Relay job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Part Time. Highlights an 78% In-person, 11% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

Sr. Consultant - Protection and Controls Engineer

EN Engineering LLC

Linthicum Heights, MD โ€ข On-site

$125K - $165K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Re-posted 9 days ago


Job description

Join a team at the forefront of power system protection and reliability. We are seeking an experienced Protection & Control Engineer to play a critical role in the design, analysis, and modernization of transmission and distribution protection systems. We are open to part-time and full-time employees for these positions. This is an opportunity to work on complex, high‑impact utility projects using state‑of‑the‑art protective relaying, communications, and substation automation technologies, while collaborating with highly skilled engineers and utility clients. If you’re driven by solving challenging technical problems, influencing system reliability, and leading work that truly matters to the grid, this role offers the technical depth, responsibility, and growth you’re looking for.

What You’ll Do:

  • Knowledge of NERC and NPCC protection and control standards.
  • Expertise in protective relay and control system design, relay settings, logic development, and event analysis for transmission and distribution substations.
  • Understanding of relay communications theory, testing methods, and communications network maintenance.
  • Ability to model primary and secondary systems using power system simulation tools (e.g., CAPE, ASPEN).
  • Experience with IEC 61850 substation automation architecture, logic, and protocols (preferred).
  • Proficient in developing technical specifications for protection, communications equipment, and instrument transformers, and evaluating vendor bids.
  • Perform system disturbance analysis and recommend protective relaying modifications or enhancements.
  • Review and optimize relay settings to ensure proper coordination and document protection system improvements.
  • Interface with manufacturers, professional organizations, and standards bodies (e.g., NPCC, IEEE).
  • Design protective relaying systems using PLC, leased lines, microwave, and fiber‑optic communications.
  • Utilize digital fault recorders and sequence‑of‑event recorders for advanced system monitoring and analysis.
  • Conduct short‑circuit studies and complex calculations to establish relay settings using advanced analysis software.

Required Qualifications:

  • BS Electrical Engineering or related field
  • 10+ years of related Protection and Controls experience
  • Experience with IEC 61850
  • Ability and willingness to travel up to 30% of the year

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Professional Engineering License
  • MS Electrical Engineering or MBA

Not quite right for you? For a full listing of all our openings, please visit us at: https://entrustsol.com/careers/

Who We Are:

ENTRUST Solutions Group, an ENR Top 100 company, is a community of people, 3,000+ strong, who are committed to our clients and each other. We provide comprehensive and dependable engineering, consulting, and automation services to gas and electric utilities, telecommunication service providers, pipeline operators, and industrial companies.

In return for top talent, ENTRUST Solutions Group offers:

  • Generous paid time off and benefits
  • 401(k) retirement program with a company match
  • Career development programs
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Flexible work schedule

To learn more about ENTRUST Benefits and Culture, please visit our company LinkedIn page and follow us at:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrustsolutionsgroup

  • Benefits & Salary: This position pays between $125,000 and $165,000 annually and is an exempt position.
  • Benefits offered include company sponsored medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) plan with company match. Also offered are tuition reimbursement, voluntary life, disability, critical illness, accident and hospitalization plans. HSA or FSA medical accounts and FSA dependent care and transportation/parking accounts are also available. These benefits are subject to employee contribution amounts generally set annually.
  • Full time employees are eligible to earn PTO hours.
  • May be eligible for discretionary bonus as determined by the company.

ENTRUST Solutions Group is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.

Headhunters and recruitment agencies may not submit resumes/CVs through this website or directly to managers. ENTRUST Solutions Group does not accept unsolicited headhunter or agency resumes and will not pay fees to any third-party agency or company that does not have a signed agreement with ENTRUST Solutions Group.

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