Relay Protection Engineer

Insight Global; New York (NY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Insight Global is hiring a Relay Protection Engineer in New York to support utility clients in the Central Engineering division. This role emphasizes hands-on technical expertise in design, analysis, and implementation of protective relay systems. Responsibilities include conducting fault and short circuit studies, developing relay settings, and ensuring systems are functional from design through commissioning.

Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in engineering and over 4 years of relevant experience, particularly in power system protection and relay behavior.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of hands-on relay protection experience.
• Experience with electrical engineering in transmission and substations.
• Knowledge of industry standards (NERC/PRC, IEEE, IEC).
• IEC 61850 experience is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Support protective relay systems across transmission and distribution substations.
• Perform fault and short circuit studies.
• Develop relay settings and coordination strategies.
• Create relay setting files and technical specifications.

Skills

Relay protection experience

Electrical engineering in substations

Fault and short circuit studies

Relay coordination studies

Relay setting calculations

Power system software (CAPE, ASPEN, PSSE, CYME)

Reviewing electrical drawings

Understanding power system protection principles

Cross-functional teamwork

Project specifications writing

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Tools

Power system software

Relay manufacturers (SEL, Hitachi, GE, Siemens)

Job description

Job Description

Insight Global is seeking a Relay Protection Engineer to support one of their largest utility clients within the Central Engineering division. This role is a highly hands‑on technical position focused on the design, analysis, and implementation of protective relay systems across transmission and distribution substations. The engineer will be responsible for performing fault and short circuit studies, developing relay settings and coordination strategies, and creating the setting files that define how relays operate during system disturbances.

This individual will work closely with design engineering, field operations, construction, testing teams, and external vendors to support a major substation build, ensuring protection systems are designed, implemented, and functioning correctly from initial design through commissioning. This role requires someone who understands how protection systems behave during faults and has personally developed relay settings and supporting documentation, not just supported projects at a high level.

We are a company committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments where people can bring their full, authentic selves to work every day. We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that believes everyone matters. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic factors, age, disability, protected veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to [e-mail]. To learn more about how we collect, keep, and process your private information, please review Insight Global's Workforce Privacy Policy: https://insightglobal.com/workforce-privacy-policy/.

Skills and Requirements

• 4+ years of hands‑on relay protection experience (must have personally done settings and studies)
• Background in electrical engineering within transmission, distribution, or substations
• Experience performing:
  • Fault / short circuit studies
  • Relay coordination studies
  • Relay setting calculations
• Experience developing relay setting files and protection logic (RDB / setting files strongly preferred)
• Experience with power system software such as CAPE, ASPEN, PSSE, CYME, or similar
• Ability to read and review electrical drawings (one‑line diagrams, schematics, wiring diagrams)
• Strong understanding of power system protection principles and relay behavior during faults
• Experience working cross‑functionally with design, field, and testing teams
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering
• Valid driver’s license
• Experience with relay manufacturers such as SEL, Hitachi, GE, or Siemens
• Experience supporting substation builds, upgrades, or commissioning activities
• Experience reviewing or advising on design drawings and protection system implementation
• Knowledge of industry standards (NERC/PRC, IEEE, IEC)
• Experience writing technical specifications or standards
• IEC 61850 experience (very strong plus)
• Project experience supporting multi‑discipline engineering efforts