Electrical Protection and Control Engineer

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement providing flex

Competitive salary with medical aid &

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an Electrical Protection and Control Engineer for its client in Polokwane, South Africa. The role focuses on designing, implementing, and maintaining advanced protection and control systems to ensure safe, reliable power delivery.

The position offers a hybrid work model with remote flexibility and opportunities to oversee commissioning and projects in the energy sector. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (Power Systems), at least 6

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems.
• Minimum 6 years' experience in electrical protection and control engineering.
• Registered Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng) with ECSA is required.
• Willingness to travel to project sites as needed.
• Experience with protection relay testing equipment/software preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design, specify, and commission protective relaying schemes for transmission and distribution substations.
• Perform fault analysis and develop relay settings for protection coordination across the power system.
• Develop logic diagrams and control schematics for substation automation and control systems.
• Evaluate and select protection and control equipment, including relays and circuit breakers.
• Conduct site visits for commissioning, testing, and troubleshooting of protection and control systems.
• Review and approve designs and calculations prepared by junior staff and external consultants.
• Ensure protection and control designs comply with IEC, IEEE, SANS standards and utility requirements.
• Collaborate with grid operations, asset management, and project teams to ensure system reliability.
• Investigate disturbances and provide root cause analysis and corrective recommendations.
• Stay updated on new protection technologies including digital relays and SCADA.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (Power Systems)

Tools

Protection relay testing equipment (Omicron, Doble)

SCADA

DNP3

IEC 61850

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major utility provider and energy infrastructure developer, is seeking a dedicated Electrical Protection and Control Engineer to join their technical team in Polokwane . This role is critical for ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of the electrical grid by designing, implementing, and maintaining sophisticated protection and control systems. You will be responsible for analyzing system performance, developing protective relay settings, and overseeing the commissioning of new protection schemes. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of power system dynamics, relay coordination, and modern protection technologies. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to the stability of the energy supply in the region and advance your career within a respected organization. The role offers a hybrid work model, blending office-based responsibilities with remote flexibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, specify, and commission protective relaying schemes for transmission and distribution substations.
• Perform detailed fault analysis and develop relay settings for protection coordination across the power system.
• Develop logic diagrams and control schematics for substation automation and control systems.
• Evaluate and select appropriate protection and control equipment, including relays, circuit breakers, and control panels.
• Conduct site visits for commissioning, testing, and troubleshooting of protection and control systems.
• Review and approve engineering designs and calculations prepared by junior staff and external consultants.
• Ensure all protection and control designs comply with relevant industry standards (e.g., IEC, IEEE, SANS) and utility requirements.
• Collaborate with grid operations, asset management, and project teams to ensure system integrity and reliability.
• Investigate system disturbances and provide root cause analysis and corrective recommendations.
• Stay abreast of advancements in protection and control technologies, including digital relays and SCADA systems.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, specializing in Power Systems.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in electrical protection and control engineering, preferably within the utility sector.
• In-depth knowledge of power system protection principles, relaying schemes, and coordination studies.
• Proficiency with protection relay testing equipment and software (e.g., Omicron, Doble).
• Familiarity with substation automation systems, SCADA, and communication protocols (e.g., DNP3, IEC 61850).
• Experience with power system analysis software for fault and protection studies is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Registered Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng) with ECSA is required.
• Ability to travel to project sites as needed.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including medical aid and provident fund.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development and specialized training.
• Hybrid work arrangement providing flexibility and work-life balance.
• Exposure to critical infrastructure projects in the energy sector.
• A stable and supportive work environment within a key industry player.
• Potential for career advancement within the organization.