Power System Protection Engineer III is a senior-level engineering position responsible for performing protection studies and developing relay settings to support the implementation, commissioning, and testing of protection systems for electrical power networks. This role focuses on designing and applying protection strategies for medium and high-voltage systems serving mission critical, commercial, and industrial facilities. The position requires advanced technical expertise, the ability to work independently on complex protection challenges, and the capability to mentor and train other engineering staff.
WHAT YOU'LL DO:
Design, specification, setting calculation, and coordination of protective relaying and relay control schemes.
Develop protection schemes and relay settings for electrical equipment, including transformers, generators, transmission lines, feeders, and buses, in accordance with client requirements and system specifications.
Develop and configure protection relay settings, including overcurrent, differential, distance and backup protection relays.
Perform coordination studies to ensure proper relay operation and minimize system downtime during fault conditions.
Use power system modeling tools (e.g. ETAP, SKM, CAPE, ASPEN) to simulate and analyze protection systems, fault scenarios, and equipment ratings.
Conduct studies such as fault analysis, short circuit, AC and DC arc flash and harmonics studies.
Support field testing, commissioning, and validation of protection relays and control systems to ensure proper operation and compliance with project requirements.
Diagnose and troubleshoot relay protection issues, perform root cause analysis, and develop corrective actions for mis-operations or unexpected trips.
Collaborate with other engineers, project managers, and clients to ensure the successful implementation of protection systems.
Prepare technical documentation, including relay settings, test reports, system protection studies, and coordination diagrams.
Ensure compliance with applicable industry standards and regulatory requirements (e.g., IEEE, IEC, NEC, NFPA 70E, NERC).
Act as a proactive technical leader, guiding project teams, solving complex protection challenges, and supporting project execution across all phases from design through commissioning.
WHAT YOU BRING TO US:
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) with a power systems focus.
6+ years relevant application experience in protection and relay settings for electric power systems supporting mission critical infrastructure, commercial and industrial facilities and substations.
A U.S.-based Professional Engineer (PE) registration is required.
High proficiency with power system modeling tools such as ETAP, SKM, ASPEN, and CAPE.
Applied knowledge and experience of Power system Protection on: Overcurrent / Over-Undervoltage, Transformer Differential, High and Low Impedance Busbar Differential, Generator Protection, Motor Protection, and Medium/High Voltage Line Differential and Distance Protection.
Strong experience developing protection schemes and relay settings for redundant power architectures supporting data centers and other mission critical facilities.
High proficiency in relay settings development and programming for SEL, Siemens, and Client protective relays.
Experience developing and managing relay settings files using vendor software such as SEL AcSELerator, Client Enervista, or equivalent.
Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop technical teams.
Strong leadership, written and oral communication, and organizational skills.
Strong computer skills with the ability to identify and apply appropriate software tools to support complex engineering analysis.
Proven ability to manage
WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL:
Advanced experience using Mathcad and Microsoft Excel for developing protective setting calculation sheets.
Working knowledge of NERC reliability standards, particularly PRC-019/023/024/025/026/027
Experience with commonly utilized communication protocols (DNP, SEL, MMS, Modbus, etc).
Working Knowledge of IEC 61850 (GOOSE, MMS, SV) and its application in modern substations and mission critical facilities.
Experience designing and supporting protection systems for redundant power topologies (e.g., N, N+1, 2N) common to data center electrical systems.
Proven ability to lead small to mid-size projects, including management of schedules, budgets, staffing, and technical execution.
Experience supporting proposal development including scope of work, level of work, engineering estimates, and schedule.
•Strong leadership skills with a demonstrated interest in training and developing early career engineers.
General work environment – sitting for long periods, standing, walking, typing, carrying, pushing, bending. Work is conducted primarily indoors with varying environmental conditions, such as fluorescent lighting and air conditioning
Noise level is usually low to medium
Occasional lifting of up to 40 lbs.
We fully comply with the ADA and applicable state law, including considering reasonable accommodation measures that may enable qualified disabled applicants and employees to perform essential functions.
Benefits
ESOP – Employee Stock Ownership
401K
Annual bonus program based upon performance, profitability, and achievement
17 PTO days per year plus 10 paid holidays
Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
Term Life, AD&D Insurance, and Voluntary Life Insurance
Disability Income Protection Insurance
Pre-tax Flexible Spending Plans (Health and Dependent Care)
Charitable Giving Match with our company Foundation
#PRO
Numbers & Facts
Location
Charlotte, NC
Salary
$145,000 Per Year
Skills
Acceptance Testingunmatched
Analysis Skillsunmatched
Budget Managementunmatched
Busesunmatched
Commissioningunmatched
Communication Skillsunmatched
Communications Protocolsunmatched
Computer Securityunmatched
Computer Skillsunmatched
Conduct Studiesunmatched
Control Systemsunmatched
Corrective Actionunmatched
Dental Insuranceunmatched
Electrical Componentsunmatched
Electrical Engineeringunmatched
Electricityunmatched
Field Trialsunmatched
File Managementunmatched
High Voltage (HV)unmatched
Identify Issuesunmatched
International Electro-Technical Commission (IEC)unmatched
Leadershipunmatched
Management of Information Systems/Technology (MIS)unmatched
Mentoringunmatched
Microsoft Excelunmatched
Network Operations Centerunmatched
Network Systemsunmatched
Organizational Skillsunmatched
Power Engineeringunmatched
Power Protectionunmatched
Presentation/Verbal Skillsunmatched
Profit & Lossunmatched
Project Executionunmatched
Project/Program Managementunmatched
Proposal Developmentunmatched
Regulatory Complianceunmatched
Root Cause Analysisunmatched
Schedule Developmentunmatched
Software Administrationunmatched
Systems Analysisunmatched
Systems Engineeringunmatched
Technical Leadershipunmatched
Technical Recruitingunmatched
Technical Writingunmatched
Testingunmatched
Topologyunmatched
Typingunmatched
Vision Planunmatched
Wireless Multimedia Messaging Serviceunmatched
Writing Skillsunmatched
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