Electrical Protection and Control Engineer

Placements24; Riverton (UT); On-site; USD 67,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance-based incentives

Medical aid

Provident fund

Substantial leave entitlements

Advanced training and registration

Job summary

Placements24 is partnering with a major South African energy utility to appoint an Electrical Protection and Control Engineer based in Upington, Northern Cape. You will design, test, and maintain protection schemes and substation control systems to ensure grid reliability.

The role requires expertise in power system protection, relay coordination, and SCADA interfaces (DNP3, IEC 61850). Travel within the region is expected; mentorship to junior engineers is included.

Qualifications

• Master's or B.Tech in Electrical Engineering with focus on Power Systems.
• Proven experience in electrical protection within utilities or heavy industry.
• Knowledge of protection principles, relay settings, and coordination.

Responsibilities

• Design, configure, and commission protection schemes for substations and transmission lines.
• Develop and verify relay settings using MiCOM P123 and Omicron tools.
• Perform fault analysis and post-event investigations of protection performance.
• Develop and maintain control logic for substation automation and SCADA interfaces.
• Conduct FAT/SAT for protection relays and control panels.
• Review electrical design drawings, schematics, and specs for protection and control.
• Collaborate with grid operations, maintenance and project teams for reliable integration.
• Stay updated on standards and technologies in protection and automation.
• Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and technicians.
• Ensure compliance with national and international standards.

Skills

Power system protection

Relay coordination

SCADA integration

DNP3

IEC 61850

Protection testing

Field commissioning

Mentoring

Regulatory compliance

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering

B.Tech in Electrical Engineering

Tools

MiCOM P123

Omicron Test Universe

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a key player in the South African energy infrastructure sector, responsible for the reliable operation and maintenance of the national power grid. They are seeking a highly skilled Electrical Protection and Control Engineer to join their operations team based in Upington, Northern Cape . This crucial role will involve the design, implementation, testing, and maintenance of protection schemes and control systems for substations and transmission networks. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of power system protection principles, relay settings, and control logic, ensuring the stability and safety of the electrical grid. This is an opportunity to contribute significantly to national energy security.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, configure, and commission protection schemes for substations and power transmission lines, including overcurrent, differential, distance, and busbar protection.
• Develop and verify relay settings using specialized software (e.g., MiCOM P123, Omicron Test Universe).
• Perform fault analysis and post-event investigations to assess protection system performance.
• Develop and maintain control system logic for substation automation, including SCADA interfaces and interlocking schemes.
• Conduct factory and site acceptance testing (FAT/SAT) of protection relays and control panels.
• Review and approve electrical design drawings, schematics, and technical specifications related to protection and control.
• Collaborate with grid operations, maintenance, and project teams to ensure seamless integration and reliable operation of protection systems.
• Stay abreast of the latest technologies and standards in power system protection and automation.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and technicians.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant national and international standards and regulations.

Requirements

• Master's degree or B.Tech in Electrical Engineering, specializing in Power Systems.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in electrical protection and control engineering within a utility or heavy industrial environment.
• In-depth knowledge of power system protection principles, relay coordination, and settings calculation.
• Proven experience with various types of protection relays (electromechanical, digital, numerical) and associated software.
• Familiarity with substation automation systems, SCADA, and communication protocols (e.g., DNP3, IEC 61850).
• Experience in performing protection system testing and commissioning.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team.
• Registered as a Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng.) or Professional Engineering Technologist (Pr.Tech.Eng) with ECSA is highly desirable.
• Willingness to travel within the region as required for site activities.

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Performance-based incentives.
• Medical aid.
• Provident fund.
• Substantial leave entitlements.
• Advanced training, workshops, and support for professional registration.
• Employees benefit from working on critical national infrastructure projects, contributing to energy security in South Africa.
• The position is based in Upington, Northern Cape , offering a stable career path within a leading energy organization with opportunities for advancement.