About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Engineering.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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Role overview

Confidential Client is hiring an Associate Electrical Engineer — Power System Protection to join a Protective Relay Settings team based in Houston, TX. This early-career engineering role focuses on protective relay setting development, protection and control design support, and power system modeling for transmission and substation projects. Hybrid work options may be available after onboarding.

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Why work with our client

• Work on industry-leading transmission and substation protection projects.
• Gain hands-on experience developing relay settings, logic, and downloadable setting files across common vendor platforms.
• Competitive compensation, benefits, and professional development in the Engineering industry.

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The opportunity

As an Associate Electrical Engineer — Power System Protection you will:

• Assist with development of protective relay setpoints per applicable industry standards, best practices, and client requirements.
• Use power system modeling tools (ETAP, ASPEN, CAPE, CYME, SKM, etc.) to support relay studies and coordination.
• Build and deliver downloadable setpoint files on relay vendor platforms (SEL AcSELerator Quickset, GE Enervista, others).
• Develop and modify protection logic and control schemes used in transmission, distribution, and renewable collector substations.
• Prepare calculations, engineering deliverables, and documentation under supervision while improving technical independence.

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Key responsibilities

• Continue learning and apply departmental design guides, standards, codes, and internal procedures.
• Perform relay setting calculations, prepare setting files, and verify performance with system studies.
• Support creation and review of one-lines, three-lines, schematics, and wiring details relevant to protection design.
• Coordinate with project leadership, discipline engineers, and clients to meet budget, schedule, and quality targets.
• Contribute to continuous improvement, technical knowledge sharing, and mentor less-experienced team members as skills develop.

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Preferred qualifications

• 1–4 years of experience in the transmission or substation protection field.
• Experience developing protective relay settings for lines, transformers, breakers, and buses.
• Familiarity with power system modeling tools: ETAP, ASPEN, CAPE, CYME, SKM.
• Experience with relay vendor software (SEL Quickset, GE Enervista, etc.).
• Knowledge of protection schemes and philosophies used in transmission, distribution, and renewable collector substations.
• Familiarity with Mathcad and Excel for calculations.
• Understanding of common communication protocols (DNP, SEL, MMS, Modbus) and IEC 61850 fundamentals.
• Basic knowledge of NERC PRC standards and other industry standards.

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Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from an accredited program.
• Minimum of 1 year related work experience.
• Ability to complete pre-employment checks as required (background check, drug screen, motor vehicle records) in compliance with applicable law.

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Work environment & physical demands

• Hybrid or flexible work options may be offered after the first 90 days, based on manager discretion and job needs.
• Typical engineering office and remote work environment; occasional site or field visits may be required.

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Compensation transparency

Per the source posting, the role includes an estimated annual figure of approximately $116,065 (estimated). The original posting also provided applicable ranges for other jurisdictions where the role may be recruited:

• Colorado: $91,047–$152,053
• Minnesota: $86,909–$145,142

Final compensation for candidates is determined by experience, qualifications, location, and other lawful factors.

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Additional details

• Relocation eligible: Yes (per client policy).
• Visa sponsorship: Not available for this opening.
• Employment type: Full-time.
• Industry: Engineering

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.