Senior Power Systems Protection Engineer (Hybrid)

Placements24; Gqeberha; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Medical aid

Pension fund

Professional development

Hybrid work model

Travel allowance

Annual leave

Engineering tools access

Job summary

Placements24 in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape seeks an experienced Power Systems Protection Engineer to design, set and test protective relaying schemes for generation, transmission and distribution systems. The role blends office engagement with on-site collaboration in a hybrid model to ensure grid reliability.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in protection engineering, expertise with ETAP/PSS/E/ASPEN and modern digital relays, and strong analytical, communication, and schematic interpretation

Qualifications

• BEng or BSc in Electrical Engineering with Power Systems specialization.
• At least 5 years of progressive experience in power system protection.
• Experience with protective relays (overcurrent, differential, distance, voltage) settings.
• Proficiency with fault studies using ETAP, PSS/E, ASPEN.
• Experience with digital protective relays and configuration software.
• Strong understanding of power system stability, grounding and fault phenomena.
• Familiarity with testing equipment for protective relays (Omicron).
• Excellent analytical and communication skills.
• Ability to read complex electrical schematics and diagrams.

Responsibilities

• Design and specify protective relaying schemes for transformers, lines, generators and motors.
• Determine relay settings based on system studies and equipment characteristics.
• Develop test procedures and perform commissioning tests for protective relays.
• Analyze disturbances and performance data to identify protection issues and improvements.
• Maintain and update protection system documentation (single-line diagrams, diagrams, settings files).
• Collaborate with planning, operations and field teams for protection performance.
• Stay current with protection tech, including digital relays and cybersecurity.
• Provide technical support to junior engineers and field personnel.
• Participate in root cause analysis of faults and protection failures.
• Contribute to development of protection standards and guidelines.

Skills

Power systems protection

Protective relays configuration

Fault analysis

Communication skills

Education

BEng / BSc Electrical Engineering (Power Systems)

Tools

ETAP

PSS/E

ASPEN

Omicron

Job description

Placements24 in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape seeks an experienced Power Systems Protection Engineer to design, set and test protective relaying schemes for generation, transmission and distribution systems. The role blends office engagement with on-site collaboration in a hybrid model to ensure grid reliability.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in protection engineering, expertise with ETAP/PSS/E/ASPEN and modern digital relays, and strong analytical, communication, and schematic interpretation