Power Systems Protection Engineer

Novax Recruitment Ltd; Sterling (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

ESOP options

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Novax Recruitment Ltd in Sterling, Virginia, is seeking an experienced Power Systems Protection Engineer to lead protective relay, automation and control designs for data center power infrastructure. This on-site role involves ownership of protection schemes and integration with SEL, Siemens, ABB and GE technologies.

You will develop PLC/RTAC programs, support commissioning, and collaborate with utilities and manufacturers on complex projects for hyperscale data centers. Travel up to 50%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 8+ years of electrical power systems experience.
• Strong experience with protective relaying, automation, and power distribution.
• Hands-on knowledge of SEL, Siemens, ABB, or GE relay platforms.
• Experience with PLC/RTAC programming and protection logic.
• Understanding of power system studies, IEC 61850, Modbus, or DNP3.

Responsibilities

• Design power system protection and control schemes, including protective relays, PLCs, and RTACs.
• Develop automation logic, interlocking systems, and sequences of operation.
• Coordinate with equipment manufacturers, utilities, and engineering teams.
• Support system integration, commissioning, and troubleshooting.

Skills

Power systems

Protective relaying

Automation

RTAC programming

PLC programming

Relay platforms

IEC 61850

Modbus

DNP3

Generator controls

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

SEL relays

Siemens protection

ABB protection

GE protection

Job description

WE'RE HIRING | POWER SYSTEMS PROTECTION ENGINEER

Sterling, Virginia | On-Site

Large-Scale Data Center & Power Infrastructure Projects

Are you an experienced Electrical Engineer with a strong background in power system protection, automation, and control systems?

I'm recruiting for an exciting opportunity with a leading U.S. electrical contractor, working on complex power distribution systems for hyperscale data centers and major infrastructure projects.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of sophisticated protection and control designs, working with cutting-edge technologies and multidisciplinary engineering teams.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Designing power system protection and control schemes, including protective relays, PLCs, and RTACs.
• Developing automation logic, interlocking systems, and sequences of operation.
• Working with SEL, Siemens, ABB, and GE protection technologies.
• Designing generator controls, automatic transfer schemes, and load-shedding systems.
• Coordinating with equipment manufacturers, utilities, and engineering teams.
• Supporting system integration, commissioning, and troubleshooting.

What We're Looking For:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 8+ years of electrical power systems engineering experience.
• Strong experience with protective relaying, automation, and power distribution.
• Hands-on knowledge of SEL, Siemens, ABB, or GE relay platforms.
• Experience with PLC/RTAC programming and protection logic.
• Understanding of power system studies, TCCs, and communication protocols such as IEC 61850, Modbus, or DNP3.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive salary and performance bonus.
• Employee ownership opportunities (ESOP).
• Comprehensive benefits and retirement plans.
• The opportunity to work on major, technically challenging projects.
• Long-term career development with an established industry leader.

Travel requirements: Up to 50%.

Interested in learning more?