Power Systems Protection Engineer

Novax Recruitment Ltd.; Virginia; On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

ESOP

Benefits

Major projects

Career development

Job summary

Sterling, Virginia on-site position for a Power Systems Protection Engineer focused on protection, automation, and control of data center power infrastructure. The role involves designing protection schemes, programming PLC/RTAC, and coordinating with major equipment manufacturers.

Requires 8+ years of electrical power systems experience, a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering, and hands-on experience with SEL, Siemens, ABB, or GE relay platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering required.
• 8+ years of electrical power systems engineering experience.
• Hands-on experience with protective relaying, automation, and power distribution.
• Experience with SEL, Siemens, ABB or GE relay platforms.

Responsibilities

• Designing power system protection and control schemes with relays, PLCs, and RTACs.
• Developing automation logic, interlocking systems, and sequences of operation.
• Collaborating with equipment manufacturers, utilities, and engineering teams.
• Supporting system integration, commissioning, and troubleshooting.
• Coordinating protection-related activities across multidisciplinary teams.
• Contributing to project documentation and testing plans.

Skills

Power system protection

Automation

Control systems

Protective relaying

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

SEL

Siemens

ABB

GE

PLC/RTAC programming

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?