Power System Engineer (Relay Engineering)

City of Austin; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Medical benefits

Retirement plan

Paid leave

Job summary

City of Austin's Power System Engineer role within Austin Energy focuses on design, protection, and control of electric utility facilities. You'll prepare drawings, study relay coordination, and support field installations, collaborating with Engineering, Construction, and Project Management to drive projects from design to operation.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Engineering and 5+ years in related work, with knowledge of standards, and the ability to travel to multiple sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering with 5 years of related experience.
• Knowledge of protection schemes for electric utilities.
• Experience providing field support to electric utility personnel.
• Ability to travel to multiple sites as part of duties.

Responsibilities

• Prepare standards, equipment specifications, and design procedures.
• Conduct power system studies: relay coordination, fault studies, load flows, reliability.
• Develop drawings for generation, transmission, distribution, substations, and SCADA/EMS.
• Create circuit maps, control diagrams, and data bases for electrical facilities.
• Assist customers and City Departments on technical matters.
• Provide inputs for projects in planning and budget processes.
• Investigate engineering problems and draft reports and presentations.
• Prepare safety procedures for electric facilities.
• Keep up with industry developments to meet standards and regulatory requirements.
• Support energization efforts in the field.

Skills

Power system design

Relay coordination

Field support

Electrical codes

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Protective relay design

SCADA/EMS

Job description

About This Position

At Austin Energy, you’ll have the opportunity to apply your engineering expertise to projects that directly impact the reliability and safety of the city’s power grid. You’ll work with a collaborative team, tackle complex technical challenges, and contribute to building a smarter, more resilient energy future for one of the fastest-growing communities in the nation. Step into a key engineering role with Austin Energy’s Relay Engineering Team, where you’ll apply your expertise in electric utility design, protection, and control systems to keep our power grid safe and reliable. In this position, you’ll prepare detailed construction drawing packages, troubleshoot and support microprocessor relay installations in the field. Your day-to-day will involve close collaboration with colleagues across Engineering, Construction, and Project Management, giving you the opportunity to see projects through from design to execution. This role is ideal for engineers who enjoy blending technical design with hands‑on problem solving—and who want their work to make a direct impact on powering the City of Austin.

Job Description

Power System Engineer Purpose: Under minimal supervision designs and assists in the design of electric utility system facilities, including generation, electric substations, overhead and underground transmission and distribution lines, network systems, protection systems, supervisory control systems (SCADA), market operation and settlement systems, street lighting, and other electric system facilities. This position exists only in the Power Production and Electrical Services Delivery department of Austin Energy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepares standards, equipment specifications, design procedures, test procedures
• Performs power system studies such as protective relay coordination, fault studies, load flows, service reliability, power quality, voltage stability, power system market operations and settlement studies, etc;
• Prepares engineering design and develops drawings and other documents for generation, transmission, distribution, substations and SCADA/EMS.
• Prepares circuit maps, control diagrams, charts, data bases, and plans for different electrical facilities.
• Provide assistance to all classes of customers, developers, and to other City Departments on technical matters relevant to electric utility services.
• Provide technical and financial inputs for projects in electric utility planning and budget process.
• Investigate and analyze engineering design problems; develop appropriate solutions; draft reports and make presentations.
• Prepares safety procedures for electric facilities.
• Assist in efforts to keep up with the latest developments in the utility industry, to meet North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and Texas Public Utility Commission (TX PUC) standards and regulatory requirements.
• Work closely with field personnel to support project energization.

Supervisor and/or Leadership Responsibilities

• May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
• Knowledge of engineering design principles applicable to electric utility operations such as, generation, transmission, distribution, market operations and other related fields.
• Knowledge of advanced mathematical techniques such as trigonometry, calculus, and coordinate geometry.
• Knowledge of engineering standards, codes, practices, procedures, materials, and equipment used in the design, construction, and operation of the electric utility systems.
• Knowledge of established engineering principles and methods.
• Knowledge of preparation of cost estimates and engineering and feasibility reports.
• Ability to perform more complex engineering calculations and to analyze engineering problems.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements within the local and state ordinances and laws.
• Skill in oral and written technical and/or general communication including preparation of written reports.
• Skill in negotiations and handling conflict resolution.
• Knowledge of City of Austin purchasing and contract policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Engineering, plus five (5) years of experience related to engineering.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of and experience with electric utility protection schemes
• Experience developing or applying standards for protective relay design in electric utility transmission, substation, and distribution systems
• Experience providing engineering field support to electric utility technical personnel
• Experience with equipment specification, selection, design approval and testing
• Knowledge of and experience with quality management programs
• Ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties

Location: 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723

Days and Hours: Monday through Friday. 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 40 Hour Work Week (Hybrid Available)

Salary: Commensurate depending on qualifications and experience

Benefits

• low-cost medical
• dental
• vision
• paid leave time
• a highly competitive retirement plan
• career development opportunities

Important Note to Applicants

Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time. We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer—we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation’s most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles – Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity – that anchor our delivery of services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special? Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. Value and Innovation: Work in an environment where employees are valued, and innovation thrives. Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work‑life balance programs, and extensive benefits. Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System. Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike‑friendly infrastructure. Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on‑site fitness centers, and mental health support. Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities. Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration. By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

EEO Statement for City of Austin

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk. City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Critical Employee Designation

This position has been designated as a Critical Employee position. Critical Employees are considered necessary and vital and support activities that impact City or department operations. This work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees who are able to work at an alternative work location are required to do so. Schedules may be modified, and employees may be reassigned to another area during extraordinary situations or emergency conditions to provide essential services.

Travel

If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

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