Associate Electrical Engineer - Power System Protection
The Associate Electrical Engineer - Power System Protection is responsible for developing protective relay setpoints and settings in compliance with industry standards and client requirements. This role involves working with various power system modeling and relay software platforms, developing protection and control logic, and collaborating with internal teams and clients to deliver engineering solutions in transmission and substation environments. The position offers opportunities for professional growth within a supportive, employee-owned company and includes hybrid work options after initial employment period.
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 (Sustainable Infrastructure & Power Systems).
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Position Summary
Confidential Client is seeking an Associate Electrical Engineer focused on Power System Protection to join a Protective Relay Settings team supporting transmission and substation projects. This role will contribute to relay setting development, protection & control logic, and power system modeling for utility-scale infrastructure.
The Opportunity
You will work on protective relay settings, develop setting files for multiple relay platforms, and use power system modeling tools to support transmission and substation protection design. This is a hands-on engineering role with opportunities to collaborate across protection, modeling, and control disciplines and to grow technical skills in Protection & Control (P&C).
What You’ll Do
- Develop protective setpoints per industry standards, best practices, and client requirements.
- Use system modeling tools (ASPEN, CAPE, CYME, ETAP, SKM) to analyze system behavior and validate settings.
- Create downloadable setpoint files on relay vendor platforms (e.g., SEL AcSELerator QuickSet, GE Enervista).
- Develop and manipulate protection and control logic used in relay schemes.
- Prepare progressively complex engineering deliverables, calculations, and recommendations for equipment/material selection.
- Coordinate with project leadership, internal teams, and clients; support continuous improvement and quality requirements.
- Mentor entry-level engineers and interns as your skills develop.
Preferred Qualifications
- 1–4 years’ experience in the transmission industry or related power systems work.
- Familiarity with Protection & Control design (one-lines, three-lines, schematics, wiring).
- At least 1 year developing protective relay settings (line, transformer, breaker, bus).
- Experience with system modeling software (ASPEN, CAPE, CYME, ETAP, SKM).
- Knowledge of protection schemes used in transmission, distribution, and renewable collector substations.
- Proficiency with Mathcad and Excel for calculations.
- Familiarity with communications protocols (DNP, SEL, MMS, Modbus) and IEC 61850 (GOOSE, MMS, SV).
- Experience with microprocessor and electronic protective relays common in substations.
- Understanding of NERC-PRC and other industry standards.
- Strong written and verbal communication; ability to coordinate with clients and team members.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (accredited program).
- Minimum of 1 year of related work experience.
- Ability to complete pre-employment onboarding (background check, drug screen, MVR) as allowed by law.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
- Hybrid or flexible work options may be available after 90 days, based on manager discretion, performance, and work assignments.
- Typical office and project-team collaboration environment; occasional site or client visits may be required.
Compensation Transparency
Where provided by the source posting, compensation information is shown below. Final pay is determined by experience, location, and other lawful factors.
- Estimated (source): $95,160 per year (estimate shown on original posting).
- State of Colorado: $91,047–$152,053 (if working from CO locations listed by client).
- State of Minnesota: $86,909–$145,142 (if working from MN locations listed by client).
Benefits & Culture
Confidential Client offers competitive compensation and benefits, including retirement match, health benefits (medical/dental/vision), paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and employee ownership/stock programs where applicable. The organization supports diversity, inclusion, and professional growth.
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.
Negotiate a higher salary! Check the salary ranges for this job type in your area.
View My Salary Range