Protection and Controls Engineer

East River Electric Cooperative; Madison (SD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement pension plan

Health insurance with HSA

Paid training and development

Wellness program

Generous paid time off

9/80 work schedule

Job summary

East River Electric Cooperative is seeking a Protection and Controls Engineer to design protection schemes and control layouts for substations. You will work with experienced engineers, gaining hands‑on experience while contributing to reliable wholesale power for members.

The role emphasizes collaboration, training, and adherence to industry standards as you progress toward PE registration and broader project responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering is required or closely related field.
• PE registration or ability to obtain within four years is preferred.
• Working knowledge of IEEE, RUS, NESC, NEC, and NERC standards.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and work on protection and control projects, including substation one‑line drawings, protective relaying, control plans, and wiring layouts.
• Assist with protection coordination, analysis, and planning studies under supervision.
• Review power system events to understand relay and equipment behavior.
• Program protective relays, RTUs, meters, and other smart devices.
• Build project schedules and assign tasks for internal and external teams.
• Collaborate with team members and consultants to meet project goals and standards.
• Support development of project budgets and forecasts.
• Participate in field construction activities for hands‑on experience.

Skills

Protection design

Substation relays

Project scheduling

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Protection and Controls Engineer

We are seeking an engineer who is enthusiastic about achieving results and can assist with protection and control design and projects. In this role, you will play a vital part in supporting our mission to deliver reliable and affordable power to our members. As part of our team, you'll collaborate closely with experienced engineers, taking on hands‑on responsibilities that will develop your technical expertise while contributing to the critical infrastructure.

Engineer level within the job family will be determined by qualifications and experience. On the job training will be provided!

At East River Electric Power Cooperative we're dedicated to providing reliable and affordable wholesale power to our members across 40,000 square miles of service area. As a not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative, we provide electricity to 24 rural electric distribution cooperatives and one municipally owned electric system serving eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota. Our members, in turn, power the lives of the member‑owners in their service territories.

Our Cooperative Community

As a cooperative, we do things differently! The decisions we make are made with our members in mind. We've built our foundation on Touchstone Energy's four cooperative values: integrity, accountability, innovation, and commitment to community. These values represent the cooperative difference, which is why we value things like community outreach, teamwork, and work‑life balance. The unique cooperative business model is designed to provide both growth and stability. This is just a little insight into why our members trust us to provide safe, reliable, and affordable power and service every day.

This incredible job opportunity awaits you at our main campus in Madison, South Dakota. Madison offers a warm and welcoming small‑town atmosphere combined with modern amenities that make it the perfect place for you and your family. Take advantage of great resources like the state‑of‑the‑art Madison Regional Hospital, experience the innovative campus of Dakota State University, enjoy a thriving community center, and more. With two stunning lakes nearby, recreational opportunities are abundant, and you'll be just a short drive away from many of eastern South Dakota's most popular attractions.

What You’ll Accomplish

As a valued member of our team, you'll have the opportunity to make a difference every day. Your education, skills, and experience will be put to excellent use, contributing to our mission of delivering exceptional wholesale power to our members. You'll work alongside passionate professionals who embody the cooperative values of integrity, accountability, innovation, and commitment to community. We believe in investing in your growth and development, which is why we offer paid training and development opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career. In this position you will:

• Help design and work on protection and control projects, like drawing up substation one‑line diagrams, protective relaying, control plans, and wiring layouts for both new and upgraded substations.
• Assist with system protection coordination, analysis, and planning studies under the guidance of experienced engineers.
• Join in on reviews of power system events to better understand how relays and substation equipment should work in real situations.
• Use computers and basic software tools to program protective relays, remote terminal units, meters, and other smart devices.
• Help build project schedules and lay out tasks for both our team and outside consultants.
• Work with team members and outside consultants to reach project goals and make sure everything meets our cooperative and industry standards.
• Support the development of project budgets and forecasts.
• Participate in field construction activities to gain hands‑on experience with engineering procedures.

Showcase Your Knowledge, Abilities, and Expertise. Do you have?

• Bachelor's degree in engineering
• Some direct utility or general engineering experience is a plus but not required
• Registration as a Professional Engineer, or the ability to obtain one within four years, is preferred
• Working knowledge of applicable industry standards (IEEE, RUS, NESC, NEC, and NERC)
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• The ability build positive working relationships and collaborate across teams
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office products and computer technology

Benefits that Matter

At East River, we value your well‑being and want you to thrive. That's why we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Retirement pension plan and contribution to a 401(k) savings plan
• Medical insurance with employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Paid training and development opportunities
• Access to a wellness program and financial planning resources
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• 9/80 work schedule, which gives you every other Friday off to encourage a work‑life balance

Want to learn more about East River?

Visit our website's career pages and hear what our current employees have to say.

Questions?

Contact [e-mail] or (605) 256‑4536.

Position is open until filled, with initial review and interviews expected to begin during the week of November 2, 2026.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

All positions are subject to a post‑offer, pre‑employment background check and drug screen. Some positions may be subject to a job‑based physical exam.