Senior Power Systems Protection Engineer (Remote)

Placements24; Benoni; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-first role

Home office allowance

Professional development

Medical aid & retirement fund

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Power Systems Protection Engineer for a fully remote role within South Africa. You will design, test, and apply protective relaying schemes for HV transmission and distribution networks, with emphasis on fault analysis, protection coordination, and relay settings.

Collaborative work with field engineers and project managers to ensure grid reliability. The ideal candidate holds an Electrical Engineering degree and has 7+ years of experience in protection

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering with Power Systems focus.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in power system protection engineering.
• Strong knowledge of fault analysis, protection principles and coordination studies.
• Experience with digital protective relays from major manufacturers (SEL, GE, ABB, Siemens).
• Proficiency with protection engineering software tools (ETAP, CAPE, ASPEN).
• Understanding of substation design and equipment.
• Familiarity with IEEE/IEC standards.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to document technical information clearly.
• Ability to work independently in a remote setting.

Responsibilities

• Design, configure, and apply protective relay settings for transformers, lines, generators, and buses.
• Perform fault studies and analyze disturbances to ensure protection coverage and coordination.
• Develop and review protection schemes and logic diagrams for substations.
• Specify protective relaying equipment, circuit breakers, and related components.
• Oversee factory and field testing of protective relaying systems.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and maintenance teams to resolve issues.
• Stay updated on industry standards, new technologies, and best practices.
• Prepare technical reports, documentation, and project proposals.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers.

Skills

Power systems protection

Fault analysis

Protection coordination

Protective relay settings

Remote work

Education

Bachelors or Masters Electrical Engineering (Power Systems)

Tools

ETAP

CAPE

ASPEN

Protection relays (SEL/GE/ABB/Siemens)

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent utility services provider, is seeking an experienced Senior Power Systems Protection Engineer to join their dynamic engineering team. This role is fully remote, offering the flexibility to work from anywhere within South Africa. You will be responsible for the design, application, and testing of protective relaying schemes and associated equipment for high-voltage transmission and distribution networks. This position requires a deep understanding of power system stability, fault analysis, and protection coordination principles. As a remote engineer, you will collaborate closely with field engineers and project managers to ensure the reliability and security of the power grid. This is an excellent opportunity for a seasoned professional who excels in a remote-first environment and is passionate about safeguarding critical energy infrastructure. You will be a key contributor to maintaining the integrity and performance of the national power infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, configure, and apply protective relay settings for various classes of electrical apparatus (transformers, lines, generators, buses).
• Perform fault studies and analyze system disturbances to ensure adequate protection coverage and coordination.
• Develop and review protection schemes and logic diagrams for transmission and distribution substations.
• Specify protective relaying equipment, circuit breakers, and other protection system components.
• Oversee or conduct factory and field testing of protective relaying systems and associated equipment.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and maintenance teams to resolve protection-related issues.
• Stay updated on industry best practices, new technologies, and evolving protection standards.
• Prepare technical reports, documentation, and project proposals related to protection engineering.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior protection engineers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering with a focus on Power Systems.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in power system protection engineering.
• Strong knowledge of power system fault analysis, protection principles, and coordination studies.
• Experience with digital protective relays from major manufacturers (e.g., SEL, GE, ABB, Siemens).
• Proficiency in using protection engineering software tools (e.g., ETAP, CAPE, ASPEN).
• Understanding of substation design and equipment.
• Familiarity with relevant industry standards (e.g., IEEE, IEC).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document technical information effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage tasks effectively in a remote setting.

Benefits

• Our client offers a highly competitive salary, performance bonuses, and comprehensive benefits including medical aid, life insurance, and a generous retirement fund.
• We support continuous professional development through online courses, industry certifications, and opportunities to attend relevant webinars and conferences.
• This is a fully remote position, providing significant flexibility and work-life balance, along with a home office setup allowance.
• You will join a crucial sector, contributing to the stability and reliability of the power grid with a team of dedicated professionals.