Associate Electrical Engineer - Power System Protection

Black & Veatch; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 86,000 - 152,053; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Flexible work schedules

Job summary

Black & Veatch is seeking a Power System Protection Engineer with 1-4 years' experience to join our Protective Relay Settings team in Houston, TX. The role emphasizes protection & control design concepts, relay settings development, and collaboration with clients and project teams.

The position offers hybrid work options after the first 90 days and relocation eligibility. Knowledge of power system modeling, relay software platforms and industry standards is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required.
• Minimum of 1 year related work experience.
• Ability to develop protective setpoints per industry standards and client requirements.

Responsibilities

• Learn and adhere to departmental design guides, standards, and processes.
• Develop and deliver complex engineering calculations and data analyses.
• Coordinate with project leadership and other team members; mentor entry level staff.
• Assist with client interaction and project coordination.
• Support business development or pursuit activities as needed.
• Share knowledge of latest technology and processes.
• Mentor interns and entry level professionals.

Skills

Protection & Control

Relay settings

Power system modeling

DNP protocols

IEC 61850

Communication protocols

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

ASPEN

CAPE

CYME

ETAP

SKM

SEL AcSELerator Quickset

GE Enervista

Mathcad

Excel

Job description

Date: Jun 26, 2026

Location

Houston, TX, US; Ann Arbor, MI, US; Dallas, TX, US; Bloomington, MN, US; Overland Park, KS, US; Orlando, FL, US; Tualatin, OR, US; Phoenix, AZ, US; Cary, NC, US; Greenwood Village, CO, US

Company: Black & Veatch Family of Companies

Job Details

Relocation eligible: Yes

Full time/Part time: Full-Time

Project Only Hire: No

Visa Sponsorship Available: No

Opportunity

Black & Veatch is seeking a Power System Protection Engineer with 1-4 years' experience to join our Protective Relay Settings team. The ideal candidate has a good understanding of Protection & Control (P&C) design concepts, familiarity with relay settings calculations/setting file development, relay manufacturer software platforms, and familiarity with power system analysis & modeling software.

Key Responsibilities

• Continues to learn and remains current on departmental design guides, standards, systems, applicable engineering codes and B&V policies and procedures. Applies to assigned tasks as appropriate.
• Continues developing and can independently apply knowledge. Complies with B&V quality program relative to assigned tasks. Supports continuous improvement and change management efforts.
• Prepares a variety of increasingly complex engineering deliverables. Performs research and develops recommendations for equipment and/or materials selection. Collects, assimilates, and manages data for engineering work. Prepares increasingly complex engineering calculations following standard methods and principles. Understands and adheres to budget, schedule, and quality requirements. May recognize, define and resolve problems within assigned area. May provide direction and guidance to others.
• Assigns tasks to develop entry level professionals and interns. Coordinates with project leadership and other internal/external team members on less complex projects. Interacts as needed with other disciplines on details of design work.
• Works to understand external client's interest and drivers through regular interaction and communication. Also focuses on needs of internal clients and project leadership. May provide support to business development or pursuit activities.
• Shares current knowledge of latest technology and processes.
• As skills develop, may assist with performance management process, recognition, and any corrective actions required. Actively mentors entry level professionals and interns.

Preferred Qualifications

• 1-4 years of experience in Transmission industry.
• Understanding of basic Protection & Control design concepts including one-lines, three-lines, schematics, wiring, etc.
• 1 year of experience in development of protective relay settings (line, transformer, breaker, bus, etc.).
• Familiarity with commonly utilized system modeling software programs (ASPEN, CAPE, CYME, ETAP, SKM, etc.).
• Knowledge of the predominant protection schemes and philosophies which are encountered in Transmission, Distribution and Renewable Collector Substations.
• Familiarity with Mathcad and Excel software for protective setting calculations.
• Familiarity with commonly utilized communication protocols (DNP, SEL, MMS, Modbus, etc.).
• Knowledge of IEC 61850 (GOOSE, MMS, SV) and its implementation.
• Familiarity with commonly deployed protective relays in substation environments (microprocessor, electronic, and electromechanical).
• Familiarity with NERC-PRC standards and other commonly utilized industry standards.
• Ability to develop protective setpoints per industry standards, best practices, and client requirements.
• Ability to independently develop downloadable setpoint files on multiple proprietary relay manufacturer software platforms (SEL AcSELerator Quickset, GE Enervista, etc.).
• Ability to develop and manipulate logic commonly utilized in protection and control schemes.
• Ability to independently develop written communication and to facilitate coordination with team members and clients.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from either a recognized accredited program in their home country or the country in which the professional is practicing.
• Minimum of 1 year related work experience.
• All applicants must be able to complete pre-employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any/all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.

Work Environment / Physical Demands

Hybrid or flexible work options may be offered after the first 90 days of employment based upon manager discretion, job performance and work assignments.

Compensation Transparency

In accordance with local requirements, the annual compensation ranges for this role are listed below by state or jurisdiction and reflect the applicable office location(s) within each. Final compensation is determined based on factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, internal alignment, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law.

• State of Colorado: 91,047-152,053
• State of Minnesota: 86,909-145,142

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits portfolio includes health care benefits such as medical, dental and vision insurance, disability coverage, a robust wellness program, flexible work schedules, paid vacation and holiday time, sick time, and dependent sick time. Additional benefits include a company-matched 401(k) plan, adoption reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, vendor discounts, an employment referral program, AD&D insurance, pre-taxed accounts, voluntary legal plan and the B&V Credit Union. Professionals may also be eligible for a performance-based bonus program.

EEO Statement

BVH, Inc., its subsidiaries and its affiliated companies, complies with all Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws and regulations. Black & Veatch does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, veteran status, pregnancy status or other status protected by law.

Nearest Major Market

Houston