Electrical Engineer II Substation Relay

CenterPoint Energy; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Paid training

Benefits from day one

Transit subsidies

Flexible schedule

On-site wellness center

Tuition reimbursement

401(k) with company match

Job summary

CenterPoint Energy in Houston seeks an Electrical Engineer to design and modify power system protection schemes, develop protective relay settings, and assist in commissioning substations to support ERCOT grid stability.

The role requires a BS in Electrical Engineering and at least two years of electric utility experience, with knowledge of NERC standards and 61850 integration. Collaboration with engineers, producers, and contractors is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of two years electric utility or power engineering experience including engineering calculations and/or design.
• Experience with protective relaying, coordination studies, and fault analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develop protection schemes and specify relays for use in independent primary and secondary relaying systems.
• Calculate, program and deploy protective relay settings, including coordination studies and documentation, for electromechanical and microprocessor relay.
• Analyze fault events and develop sequence of events reports following system disturbances, with data obtained from digital fault recorders and microprocessor relays.
• Interact with independent power producers, industrial customers, engineering firms, and construction contractors providing technical assistance and commissioning of new equipment for interconnection with the ERCOT transmission grid.
• Provide technical assistance with the evaluation and commissioning of new equipment for the interconnection within the CNP electric system.
• Provide support to field personnel in commissioning and the troubleshooting of existing equipment operations.
• Build short circuit cases and provide available fault duties to industrial customers upon request.
• Leverage knowledge to support implementation of digital technology including 61850 process bus solutions.
• Have knowledge of high speed pilot protection schemes including POTT, DCB, and LCD.

Skills

Protection scheme design

Relay settings

Fault analysis

Coordination studies

Digital tech 61850

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Protection relays

Job description

CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years.

Our Vision: Our vision is to become the most admired utility in the United States through the execution of our long-term growth strategy. We have an unwavering commitment to safely and reliably deliver electricity and natural gas to millions of people.

Our Commitment: CenterPoint Energy is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where business results are achieved through the skills, abilities and talents of our diverse workforce.

At CenterPoint Energy, individuals are respected for their contributions toward our company objectives. We strive for an inclusive work environment across all levels that is reflective of the available workforce in the communities we serve.

Job Summary

Specify, design, and modify power system protection schemes, develop protective relaying settings, and assist in the commissioning of electric utility substations to maintain the integrity and stability of the ERCOT transmission grid. Evaluate and apply NERC compliance standards. Serve as an SME on various internal and external working groups.

Essential Functions

• Develop protection schemes and specify relays for use in independent primary and secondary relaying systems.
• Calculate, program and deploy protective relay settings, including coordination studies and documentation, for electromechanical and microprocessor relay.
• Analyze fault events and develop sequence of events reports following system disturbances, with data obtained from digital fault recorders and microprocessor relays.
• Interact with independent power producers, industrial customers, engineering firms, and construction contractors providing technical assistance and commissioning of new equipment for the interconnection with the ERCOT transmission grid.
• Provide technical assistance with the evaluation and commissioning of new equipment for the interconnection within the CNP electric system.
• Provide support to field personnel in commissioning and the troubleshooting of existing equipment operations.
• Build short circuit cases and provide available fault duties to industrial customers upon request.
• Leverage knowledge to support implementation of digital technology including 61850 process bus solutions.
• Have knowledge of high speed pilot protection schemes including POTT, DCB, and LCD.

Education Description

Requires a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering (or related discipline) from an accredited college or university

Experience

• minimum of two years electric utility or power engineering experience that includes performing engineering calculations and/or design.

Physical Requirements

• Able to communicate either written and verbal communications either in person or through technical equipment such as telephone.
• Able to demonstrate and apply the manual dexterity to operate a personal computer and common office equipment.
• Able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a minimal amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
• Able to sit, stand or walk for long periods of time.
• Able to certify and use personal protective equipment, such as respirator, safety glasses, hardhat, gloves, protective footwear and earplugs on a daily basis.
• Able to operate a motor vehicle and drive a motor vehicle daily or for extended time periods, in a safe manner, and enter/exit vehicle unassisted.

Working Conditions

• Required to participate in CenterPoint Energy's Emergency Operation Plan (EOP).
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to work in an office environment.
• Able to work indoors in an office environment and outdoors with occasional exposure to all weather conditions, equipment, and noise when at field installation sites.
• Able to work regular hours, with occasional or mandatory overtime; may be required to work rotating shifts.

We want you to know

Being a part of the CenterPoint Energy team is more than a career alone. It's an opportunity to make a positive impact. You will be an integral part of enabling everyday life and the pursuit of possibilities for the customers we serve and the communities we share. The vital services we provide are at the core of making our world work, and by sharing your energy with us, we'll create a better tomorrow together.

What we bring to you

• Competitive pay
• Paid training
• Benefits eligibility begins on your first day
• Transit subsidies
• Flexible work schedule, paid holidays and paid time off
• Access to discounts at fitness clubs and an on-site wellness center at our headquarters in Houston
• Professional growth and development programs including tuition reimbursement
• 401(k) Savings Plan featuring a company match dollar-for-dollar up to 6% and a company contribution of 3% regardless of your contribution

Job Type: Full Time

Posting Start Date: 08/31/2026

Posting End Date: 09/18/2026

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR * 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a), and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.

#LI-CNP