Power Systems Protection Engineer

Placements24; Windsor Park (TN); On-site; USD 54,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Medical aid and retirement fund

Professional development opportunities

Involvement in critical infrastructure

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Power Systems Protection Engineer in East London, Eastern Cape. The role focuses on designing, applying, testing, and maintaining protection schemes for substations and power lines to ensure grid reliability and safety.

The ideal candidate will have 5+ years of experience, a degree in electrical engineering, and strong knowledge of protective relaying principles and substation equipment. Collaboration with design, field, and operations teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in power system protection engineering.
• Proficiency with ETAP, PSS/E and ASPEN.
• Solid understanding of protective relaying principles: overcurrent, differential, distance, voltage relays.
• Experience with substation equipment and control systems; protection testing.

Responsibilities

• Design protective relaying schemes for transmission and distribution systems.
• Perform fault studies, load flow, and transient stability analyses with power system software.
• Develop and review protection coordination studies for selective tripping.
• Specify protective relays, circuit breakers, and related equipment.
• Develop testing procedures and oversee commissioning and maintenance of protection systems.
• Troubleshoot protection system maloperations and identify root causes.
• Ensure compliance with standards (NRS, IEC, etc.).
• Collaborate with substation design teams to integrate protection schemes.

Skills

Analytical

Problem solving

Diagnostic

Written communication

Verbal communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

ETAP

PSS/E

ASPEN

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a key player in the electricity distribution sector, is seeking a skilled Power Systems Protection Engineer to join their dynamic team in East London, Eastern Cape. This role is essential for ensuring the reliability, stability, and safety of the electrical grid through the design, application, testing, and maintenance of protection systems for substations and power lines. The ideal candidate will have a robust understanding of power system dynamics, fault analysis, and protective relaying principles. You will collaborate with design engineers, field personnel, and operations teams to maintain and upgrade protection schemes. This is a significant opportunity to contribute to the robust functioning of the energy infrastructure in the Eastern Cape region and advance your career in power system protection.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, specify, and apply protective relaying schemes for transmission and distribution systems.
• Perform fault studies, load flow analysis, and transient stability studies using power system analysis software.
• Develop and review protection coordination studies to ensure selective tripping of protective devices.
• Specify and select protective relays, circuit breakers, and other protection equipment.
• Develop testing procedures and oversee the commissioning and maintenance of protection systems.
• Troubleshoot protection system maloperations and identify root causes.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards, codes, and regulations (e.g., NRS, IEC).
• Collaborate with substation design teams to integrate protection schemes into new and existing infrastructure.
• Prepare technical reports, documentation, and recommendations for protection system upgrades.
• Stay current with advancements in protection technology and methodologies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in power system protection engineering.
• Proficiency in power system analysis software (e.g., ETAP, PSS/E, ASPEN).
• Solid understanding of protective relaying principles, including overcurrent, differential, distance, and voltage relays.
• Experience with substation equipment and control systems.
• Knowledge of protection testing equipment and procedures.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and diagnostic skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Professional registration with ECSA is highly desirable.
• Experience in the East London area or with Eskom/municipal distribution networks is beneficial.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Hybrid work arrangement providing work-life balance.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund.
• Opportunities for professional development and advanced training in power system protection.
• Involvement in critical infrastructure projects.
• A collaborative and technically proficient team environment.
• Paid annual leave.