System Protection Engineer III/Senior

Arizona Public Service - APS; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona Public Service (APS) is seeking engineers to develop, review, and maintain relay settings for the APS transmission system. You will perform fault studies, protection coordination analysis, and modeling to ensure reliability and safety across the grid.

The role includes documenting protection schemes and supporting field testing, with a strong emphasis on NERC PRC/CIP compliance. The position supports hybrid work arrangements, requires an ABET-accredited engineering degree, and 5+ years

Qualifications

• Four-year engineering bachelor degree from an ABET-accredited institution or equivalent.
• 5+ years for mid-level/Engineer III.
• 8+ years for Engineer Senior position.

Responsibilities

• Develop or revise relay settings for transmission and sub-transmission systems.
• Maintain up-to-date short circuit models and protection documentation.
• Support field testing, commissioning, and energization activities.
• Lead projects to improve protection system performance and reliability.
• Contribute to root cause analyses following protection mis-operations.
• Support NERC PRC and CIP compliance efforts.

Skills

Protection relaying

Transmission protection

Relay coordination

NERC reliability compliance

Analytical problem solving

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree (BS)

Tools

Power system modeling software

Job description

Summary

Arizona Public Service generates reliable, affordable and clean energy for 2.7 million Arizonans. As the state’s largest and longest-serving energy provider, our more than 6,000 dedicated employees power our vision of creating a sustainable energy future for Arizona.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, review, and maintain transmission and sub-transmission relay settings.
• Perform fault studies, coordination analysis, and power system modeling.
• Maintain protection system documentation and relay setting records.
• Lead and support projects that improve protection system performance and reliability.
• Analyze protection system operations and investigate relay misoperations.
• Participate in root cause analyses and corrective action development.
• Support field testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and energization activities.
• Respond to and support operations during system disturbances and grid events.
• Configure and maintain Digital Fault Recorders (DFRs) and disturbance monitoring systems.
• Support compliance initiatives related to NERC PRC and CIP standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with transmission protection and control systems.
• Knowledge of protective relaying principles, fault analysis, and relay coordination.
• Familiarity with transmission system modeling software and disturbance analysis tools.
• Experience supporting NERC reliability and cybersecurity compliance programs.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.

Why APS?

Join a team dedicated to maintaining the safety, reliability, and resiliency of Arizona’s energy infrastructure. You'll work on critical grid protection initiatives, support modernization efforts, and help ensure reliable service for millions of customers.

Minimum Requirements

Engineer III

• A four-year Bachelors degree in an engineering discipline or related applied science discipline (see approved list) from an ABET accredited institution, an International Engineering Alliance (IEA) recognized institution or an ABET Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA)
• Plus five (5) years working experience in Engineering-related positions.

Engineer Senior

• A four-year Bachelors degree in an engineering discipline or related applied science discipline (see approved list) from an ABET accredited institution, an International Engineering Alliance (IEA) recognized institution or an ABET Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA)
• Plus eight (8) years working experience in Engineering-related positions.

Approved degrees: Materials Science/Metallurgy, Physics, Chemistry, Nuclear, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Electronics, Computer Science, Environmental, Chemical, Structural. (A four-year bachelor of Engineering Technology degree is not considered an automatic equivalent for a B.S. degree in Engineering. A review of the degree program curriculum must be completed by Engineering department management.)

Export Compliance / EEO Statement

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person. Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates ('Pinnacle West') maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law. For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). In compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, the Company is committed to a work environment that is free from the effects of alcohol and controlled substances, and free from the abuse or inappropriate use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications. The Company requires employees to be subject to drug and alcohol testing that is job-related and consistent with business necessity, regulatory requirements and applicable laws.

Major Accountabilities

• Develop or revise relay settings in support of modifications to the transmission system.
• Maintain an up-to-date short circuit model of the APS transmission and sub-transmission system.
• Maintain up-to-date documentation of all relay settings in the transmission and sub-transmission system.
• Develop programs/projects to improve existing protection systems across the APS transmission system.
• Periodically review relay settings across the system to ensure adequate coordination and protection.
• Provide support to field personnel during testing and commissioning of protection schemes.
• Provide support to operations personnel during system events.
• Review protection system operations to determine correct operation or mis-operation.
• Participate in root cause analysis following the declaration of a protection system mis-operation.
• Participate in NERC Compliance activities in support of applicable PRC and CIP standards
• Specification, design, create settings, and keep settings records of Digital Fault recorders installed in APS’s

CIP Requirement

This position requires Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) access consistent with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards. The applicant considered for this role will be required to obtain and maintain CIP access for the duration of employment in this position. A full seven (7) year criminal history will be obtained through the pre-employment background check process (or, for current employees, through supplemental background check process) to fulfill the CIP access requirements. In addition, this position requires an additional background check every seven years to maintain access.

Hybrid

Employees in hybrid roles work both in their home offices (virtually) and alongside their colleagues (in person). In order for employees to build strong relationships and to promote meaningful in-person interactions, hybrid employees are expected to work about 40% of their time in-person at an APS or other (non-home office) location.

• Employees are expected to reside in Arizona (or New Mexico for Four Corners-based employees).
• Working from a home office requires adequate technology and an appropriate ergonomic set up.
• Role types are subject to change based on business need.