Protection and Controls Relay Engineer

Consulting Solutions; United States; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Consulting Solutions is seeking an Engineer IV to provide advanced engineering support for electric utility transmission and distribution projects, with a focus on protection and control (P&C) systems. The role involves reviewing drawings, performing analyses, and supporting capital projects to ensure safe, reliable operation of the electrical grid.

The ideal candidate will interpret protection and control prints, relay logic, and substation design documentation, and work independently while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from ABET-accredited institution.
• Minimum of 7+ years of electrical engineering experience in the utility/power sector.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, schematics, and protection prints.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills; able to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Review and interpret electrical one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, wiring schematics, elementary diagrams, and protection drawings.
• Support design, installation, modification, and maintenance activities for protection and control systems.
• Perform engineering evaluations, calculations, and analyses related to power system reliability.
• Provide technical support for transmission, distribution, and substation projects.
• Review relay applications, relay settings, and protection schemes to ensure compliance with standards.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, field personnel, and project teams to resolve technical issues.
• Participate in design reviews, constructability reviews, and troubleshooting efforts.
• Support commissioning, testing, and field implementation of protection and control equipment.
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation, design packages, and specifications.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, regulatory requirements, and governance practices.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Electrical drawing interpretation

Protection & control systems

Relay applications

Power system fundamentals

Communication

Independent work

Project management

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Tools

AutoCAD

MicroStation

Job description

Locations: Charlotte, NC (hybrid 3x per week onsite)

The Engineer IV provides advanced engineering support for electric utility transmission and distribution projects, with a focus on protection and control (P&C) systems, electrical design reviews, relay applications, and system reliability. This role is responsible for performing engineering analyses, reviewing electrical drawings and schematics, supporting capital projects, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure safe, reliable, and compliant operation of the electrical grid.

The ideal candidate possesses strong experience interpreting electrical prints, protection and control drawings, relay logic, and substation design documentation. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to work independently, provide technical leadership, and support engineering projects from concept through implementation.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and interpret electrical one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, wiring schematics, elementary diagrams, and protection & control drawings.
• Support design, installation, modification, and maintenance activities associated with utility protection and control systems.
• Perform engineering evaluations, calculations, and technical analyses related to power system reliability and equipment performance.
• Provide technical support for transmission, distribution, and substation projects.
• Review relay applications, relay settings, and protection schemes to ensure compliance with company standards and industry best practices.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, field personnel, and project teams to resolve technical issues and support project execution.
• Participate in design reviews, constructability reviews, and troubleshooting efforts.
• Support commissioning, testing, and field implementation of protection and control equipment.
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation, design packages, technical reports, and specifications.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety standards, regulatory requirements, and engineering governance practices.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited institution.
• Minimum of 7+ years of relevant electrical engineering experience.
• Experience within an electric utility, consulting engineering firm, EPC organization, or related power industry environment.
• Strong ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams, and protection & control prints.
• Knowledge of power system fundamentals, substation equipment, and electrical protection systems.
• Experience supporting engineering projects in a regulated utility environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with protection and control engineering for transmission or distribution substations.
• Familiarity with SEL relays and protective relay applications.
• Experience supporting relay settings, relay coordination, or relay testing activities.
• Knowledge of NERC, IEEE, and utility industry standards.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain.
• Experience supporting field commissioning, startup, or troubleshooting activities.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD, MicroStation, or other electrical design software.

Desired Skills

• Electrical drawing interpretation and design review
• Protection and control systems
• Relay applications and protection schemes