Sr. Protection Engineer

Insight Global; New York (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Insight Global is seeking a Senior Relay Protection Engineer in New York, NY. This technical role involves responsibility for relay settings, protection logic, and relay performance in electric power systems. The ideal candidate has at least 8 years of power systems engineering experience, with a strong focus on relay protection, and is proficient in SEL and Hitachi software platforms. The role entails performing fault analysis, developing relay settings, and supporting construction and commissioning efforts across projects.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of power systems engineering experience.
• 3+ years of direct experience with relay protection.
• Strong understanding of protective relay behavior.

Responsibilities

• Perform fault and short-circuit analysis.
• Implement relay protection settings for microprocessor-based relays.
• Program and configure relays using SEL and Hitachi platforms.

Skills

Relay settings

Power system protection principles

Hands-on relay protection experience

Coordination studies

Microprocessor-based relays

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SEL software

Hitachi software

Job description

Insight Global is looking to hire a Senior Relay Protection Engineer to join the Protection & Control Standards team of one of their largest clients in the NYC area. This is a hands‑on technical role focused on the settings, logic, and performance of microprocessor‑based protective relays used across the electric power system.

This engineer is responsible for how protection systems behave during faults. They personally perform relay settings, protection logic, coordination studies, and relay programming using platforms such as SEL and Hitachi. A separate design team produces physical and schematic drawings; this role reviews and advises on those designs to ensure they support proper protection operation but does not perform CAD or drafting work.

The Senior Relay Protection Engineer acts as a technical authority for protection behavior, supports construction and commissioning, and is accountable for relay performance once equipment is energized.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform fault and short‑circuit analysis to determine protection requirements
• Develop and implement relay protection settings for microprocessor‑based relays
• Select and configure appropriate protection elements (overcurrent, distance, differential, etc.)
• Perform coordination studies to ensure correct system operation during faults
• Program and configure relays using SEL and Hitachi software platforms
• Review and approve protection‑related drawings produced by the design team
• Define protection scope for relay replacement and modernization projects
• Provide construction and commissioning support, including field troubleshooting
• Ensure compliance with PRC / NERC protection standards
• Support and maintain protection standards across the organization

Must haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering
• 8+ years of power systems engineering experience
• 3+ years of direct, hands‑on relay protection experience
• Demonstrated experience performing relay settings and relay programming
• Strong understanding of power system protection principles
• Experience with microprocessor‑based relays
• Experience with manufacturers such as SEL, Hitachi, GE, or Siemens

Plusses

• Direct experience with Hitachi relay platforms
• Utility or grid‑scale protection experience
• Experience supporting construction and commissioning