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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The Opportunity

Confidential Client is hiring an Associate Electrical Engineer — Power System Protection to join a Protective Relay Settings team in the Schiller Park / Chicago, IL area. This role focuses on protective relay settings, protection & control design, and power system modeling. You will develop setpoints, create relay setting files, work with power system modeling tools, and assist on protection scheme logic and coordination.

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What You’ll Do

• Develop protective setpoints per industry standards, best practices, and client requirements.
• Create downloadable relay setpoint files using vendor software (e.g., SEL AcSELerator QuickSet, GE Enervista).
• Use power system modeling tools (ASPEN, CAPE, CYME, ETAP, SKM) to support settings and coordination.
• Develop and manipulate protection/control logic and implement typical substation protection schemes.
• Prepare engineering deliverables, calculations, and recommendations for equipment and materials.
• Coordinate with project leadership, multi-discipline teams, and clients to deliver quality work on schedule and budget.
• Mentor entry-level engineers and interns; contribute to continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.

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Key Responsibilities

• Keep current on departmental design guides, applicable codes, and team processes; apply them to assigned tasks.
• Produce increasingly complex engineering deliverables and protective setting calculations.
• Collect, manage, and validate data needed for protection design and relay settings.
• Support coordination efforts with internal and external stakeholders and assist in client communications.
• Follow quality processes and support change management and continuous-improvement initiatives.

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Preferred Qualifications

• 1–4 years of experience in the transmission or utility industry (protective relaying preferred).
• Familiarity with Protection & Control (P&C) design concepts (one-lines, three-lines, schematics, wiring).
• At least 1 year experience developing protective relay settings (lines, transformers, breakers, bus).
• Experience with power system modeling tools (ASPEN, CAPE, CYME, ETAP, SKM).
• Knowledge of common protection schemes for Transmission, Distribution, and Renewable Collector substations.
• Familiarity with Mathcad and Excel for setting calculations.
• Understanding of communication protocols (DNP, SEL, MMS, Modbus) and IEC 61850 (GOOSE, MMS, SV).
• Experience with commonly deployed protective relays (microprocessor, electronic, electromechanical).
• Working knowledge of NERC-PRC and other industry standards.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to work in a team environment.

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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 onboarding requirements if selected (background check, drug screen, MVR, etc.), subject to applicable laws.

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Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Role is Full-Time. Hybrid or flexible work options may be available after the first 90 days, subject to manager discretion, job performance, and assignments.
• Typical office and remote work with occasional project-related site or client visits as required.

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Compensation & Benefits

• Annual compensation range for this role/location: $91,047 - $152,053.
• Competitive benefits may include medical/dental/vision, 401(k) with company match, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and performance-based bonus opportunities.
• Additional benefits, accommodations, and ESOP/employee-ownership details provided by our client.

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Legal & Hiring Notes

• This posting is managed by Careertakes on behalf of a Confidential Client.
• All hiring decisions are made by the Confidential Client and comply with applicable federal and state employment laws.
• Employment is subject to completion of any lawful pre-employment checks and eligibility verification.
• Confidential Client does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics and adheres to EEO laws.

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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.