Protection & Control Engineer (Electrical Engineer II)

PDS Tech, Inc.; Salt Lake City (UT); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

PDS Tech Commercial is seeking an experienced Electrical Engineer II to support global energy infrastructure, focusing on protection and controls for power generation, transmission, and grid modernization. The role involves programming, testing, commissioning, and validating protection and control solutions across North America, with travel to customer sites and leadership of project teams.

The candidate will work on relay study-based settings, IEC 61850 networks, FAT/SAT activities, and field

Qualifications

• University Degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 7 years of experience in relay testing and creation of settings files for multifunction protection relays.
• Strong knowledge of power systems, protection schemes, and communications applications.
• Experience developing test procedures and maintenance procedures for factory and field testing activities.
• Hands-on experience programming GE Multilin UR Relay Family.
• Protection principles including Distance, Line, Transformer, Bus, Feeder, Generator, and Large Motor Protection.
• Ability to lead technical initiatives and mentor team members.
• Ability to travel extensively (70-80% first year; 50% once site is operational; Canada travel possible).

Responsibilities

• Program, test, and commission protection and control panels for generation, transmission, and distribution.
• Analyze specifications, diagrams, and BOMs to support design.
• Develop customized test procedures for multifunction relays.
• Create relay settings files based on protection studies and requirements.
• Configure communications networks, including IEC 61850.
• Execute FAT/SAT and commissioning activities.
• Support field installations and cross-country projects.
• Lead projects with minimal oversight and coordinate with teams.
• Mentor peers and contribute to quality reviews.
• Drive continuous improvement and best practices.

Skills

Relay testing

Protection & Control

Power systems

GE Multilin UR Relay

Project leadership

Mentoring

Travel 70-80%

Travel 50% once onsite

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Tools

GE Multilin UR Relay Family

RTDS

ASPEN

EMTP

MATLAB

SKM

ETAP

Job description

Electrical Engineer II - Power Systems Protection & Controls

Shape the Future of Grid Reliability with a Global Energy Leader

• Location: Remote; transitioning to 4 days onsite/week beginning mid-2027 at Salt Lake City, UT office

• Schedule: Monday-Friday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM | First Shift

• Pay Rate: $58.53/hour

Power Critical Infrastructure. Deliver Real Impact.

PDS Tech Commercial is hiring an experienced Electrical Engineer II to support a leading global energy organization advancing the future of power generation, transmission, and grid modernization. This is an exciting opportunity for a protection and controls professional who thrives on solving complex technical challenges and contributing to critical infrastructure projects that keep power systems operating safely and reliably.

As a Grid Test Bay Application Engineer, you will play a key role in programming, testing, commissioning, and validating protection and control solutions for utility and industrial power systems. You'll collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams, travel to customer sites, and help bring sophisticated power protection systems from design through successful deployment.

What You'll Do

In this role, you will:

• Program, test, and commission protection and control panels supporting generation, transmission, and distribution applications.

• Analyze customer specifications, engineering documents, single-line diagrams, logic diagrams, schematics, wiring drawings, and bills of materials.

• Develop customized test procedures for multifunction protection relays and integrated power system solutions.

• Create relay settings files based on protection studies, coordination reports, and application requirements.

• Configure communications networks and protocols, including IEC 61850.

• Execute secondary injection testing and validate advanced protection and control schemes.

• Simulate and verify transfer schemes, synchronizing schemes, and auto-restoration systems.

• Perform factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), and commissioning activities.

• Support field installations and commissioning efforts at customer locations throughout North America.

• Lead assigned projects with minimal oversight while coordinating with cross-functional teams.

• Mentor peers, provide technical guidance, and support engineering quality reviews.

• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and best practices within the engineering organization.

Required Qualifications

• University Degree or College Diploma in Electrical Engineering.

• Minimum 7 years of experience in relay testing and creation of settings files for multifunction protection relays.

• Strong knowledge of power systems, protection schemes, and communications applications.

• Experience developing test procedures and maintenance procedures for factory and field testing activities.

• Hands-on experience programming GE Multilin, specifically the UR Relay Family.

• Deep understanding of protection principles, including:

  • Distance Protection

  • Line Differential Protection

  • Transformer Differential Protection

  • Bus Protection

  • Feeder Protection

  • Generator Protection

  • Large Motor Protection

• Proven ability to lead technical initiatives and mentor team members.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work effectively within diverse, global teams.

• Ability to travel extensively:

  • Approximately 70-80% travel during the first year

  • Approximately 50% travel once the site becomes operational

  • Occasional travel within Canada may be required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting turnkey Protection & Control projects.

• Demonstrated success developing protection and control applications.

• Experience with major relay testing equipment and short-circuit/coordination software.

• Knowledge of:

  • RTDS

  • ASPEN

  • EMTP

  • SKM

  • ETAP

  • MATLAB

• Familiarity with electrical utility standards, procedures, and documentation practices.

• Experience with substation automation, communications systems, metering, and system integration.

• Knowledge of GE Digital Energy and third-party protection relay platforms.

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.

• Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation is a plus.

Why Join Us?

This is more than an engineering role. It's an opportunity to directly influence the reliability, safety, and performance of critical energy infrastructure projects across North America.

You’ll enjoy:

• Working with cutting-edge power system protection technologies.

• Exposure to large-scale grid modernization and utility initiatives.

• Significant technical ownership and project leadership opportunities.

• Collaboration with highly skilled engineering professionals.

• Career growth within a global energy environment.

• A remote-first structure today with long-term involvement in a growing operational site.

• Competitive pay and the opportunity to contribute to projects that power communities and industries worldwide.

Pay Details: $58.53 per hour

Benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits and a 401K plan. Our benefit offerings provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Military connected talent encouraged to apply

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.pdstech.com/candidate-privacy

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act

• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance

• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers

• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Massachusetts Candidates Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.