Senior Electrical Protection Engineer

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid and retirement fund

Professional development & training

Generous annual leave

Based in Pretoria - central location

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Electrical Protection Engineer in Pretoria to lead protection schemes for high-voltage systems. You will design, implement and test protection relays, coordinate protections, and mentor junior engineers on complex projects with clients in the infrastructure sector.

The role requires a strong background in numerical and electromechanical relays, IEC 61850, DNP3 and Modbus, plus a Pr. Eng. is desirable. Join us for challenging national projects and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum 7 years of specialized experience in electrical power system protection engineering.
• Experience in design and application of numerical and electromechanical relays.
• Proficiency with power system simulation and protection analysis software.
• Knowledge of substation design principles and equipment.
• Familiarity with IEC 61850, DNP3 and Modbus communication protocols.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills; report writing and presentations.
• Pr. Eng. registration with ECSA is highly desirable.
• Legal eligibility to work in South Africa.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop protection schemes for HV substations, lines and generators.
• Perform protection coordination studies using ETAP/ASPEN or similar tools.
• Specify and configure protective relays and circuit breakers.
• Develop testing procedures and oversee commissioning of protection systems.
• Analyze faults and performance data to identify improvements.
• Provide expert protection support and troubleshooting.
• Ensure designs comply with IEC/IEEE/SANS standards and best practices.
• Collaborate with project managers and other disciplines to ensure success.
• Mentor junior protection engineers and support technical development.
• Stay updated on new protection technologies and standards.

Skills

Protection coordination

Protection scheme design

Power system analysis

Numerical relays

Electromechanical relays

Client presentations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

ETAP

ASPEN

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent consulting engineering firm with a strong presence in the infrastructure development sector, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Electrical Protection Engineer to join their team in Pretoria . This role is crucial for ensuring the safety, reliability, and optimal performance of electrical power systems across various industrial and utility projects. You will be responsible for the design, implementation, and testing of protection schemes, as well as providing expert technical guidance on protection and control systems. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in complex protection analysis and a deep understanding of modern protection relays and communication protocols. This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned professional to contribute to significant national projects and to mentor junior engineers within a supportive and collaborative environment in Pretoria .

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop robust protection schemes for high-voltage substations, transmission lines, and generators.
• Perform detailed protection coordination studies using specialized software (e.g., ETAP, ASPEN).
• Specify, select, and configure protective relays, circuit breakers, and associated equipment.
• Develop testing procedures and oversee the commissioning of protection systems.
• Analyze system faults and performance data to identify areas for improvement and recommend solutions.
• Provide expert technical support and troubleshooting for protection-related issues.
• Ensure designs and installations comply with relevant industry standards (e.g., IEC, IEEE, SANS) and best practices.
• Collaborate with project managers, clients, and other engineering disciplines to ensure project success.
• Mentor and guide junior protection engineers, fostering their technical development.
• Stay updated on the latest technologies and standards in electrical power system protection.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years of specialized experience in electrical power system protection engineering.
• Proven experience in the design and application of numerical and electromechanical relays.
• Proficiency in power system simulation and protection analysis software.
• Strong understanding of substation design principles and equipment.
• Knowledge of communication protocols such as IEC 61850, DNP3, and Modbus.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities, with experience in report writing and client presentations.
• Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng.) registration with ECSA is highly desirable.
• Must be legally eligible to work in South Africa .

Benefits

• Our client offers a competitive salary package, with the potential to earn up to R per annum , depending on qualifications and experience.
• Comprehensive medical aid and retirement fund contributions are provided.
• The company actively supports professional development through training programs, conference attendance, and opportunities for further specialization.
• This position is based in Pretoria , offering a stimulating work environment focused on critical infrastructure projects.
• We also offer generous annual leave and other employee benefits designed to promote work-life balance.