Senior Relay Settings Engineer

Senior Relay Settings Engineer, Substation

Energy Jobs With David Evans And Associates

At David Evans and Associates, Inc., our Energy team provides unmatched infrastructure solutions for power delivery and renewable energy, offering expert planning and design for low- to high-voltage facilities. We ensure safe, reliable, and affordable electricity for communities across various sectors, including power generation, renewables, and transportation electrification. Our comprehensive services are tailored to meet the technical, financial, environmental, and political needs of our clients. Whether the goal is to enhance current infrastructure or embark on a new innovative energy project, DEA has the expertise to see it through to completion and deliver a more resilient future.

The Energy team is seeking a Senior Relay Settings Engineer to guide the technical execution of utility-scale wind, solar, and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects throughout the Midwest and western United States .

As a Senior Relay Settings Engineer in DEA’s Energy Business Unit, you will be responsible for the studies and settings files to support implementation and testing of protection relay systems to safeguard electrical power systems. Your work will involve designing protection strategies for power transmission, distribution systems, and renewable energy facilities (wind, solar, and Battery Energy Storage Systems – BESS). You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure reliable and efficient energy solutions while ensuring compliance with industry standards and client requirements.

The location for this hybrid-friendly position is flexible with a preference for individuals who are based near one of DEA’s offices in California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Texas, Utah, or Washington

. Fully remote may be considered depending on circumstances. Some travel for project execution may be required.

What You’ll Do

Key Responsibilities

• Exemplify DEA’s Cultural Drivers internally and externally.
• Design and implement protection systems for utility-scale power transmission, distribution, and renewable energy projects (wind, solar, and BESS).
• Develop protection schemes and settings for electrical equipment, including transformers, generators, feeders, and substation systems, based on client requirements and system specifications.
• Develop and configure protection relay settings, including overcurrent, differential, distance, and backup protection relays.
• Perform coordination studies to ensure proper relay operation and minimize system downtime during fault conditions.
• Use power system modeling tools (e.g., EasyPower, ETAP, DIgSILENT) to simulate and analyze protection systems, fault scenarios, and equipment ratings.
• Conduct studies such as fault analysis, short circuit, arc flash, grounding, cable heating, and reactive compensation.
• Support the testing and commissioning of protection relays and control systems to ensure correct operation and compliance with project specifications.
• Provide technical support during system commissioning and after installation to resolve any protection system issues.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot relay protection issues and perform root cause analysis when protection schemes fail or relay trips unexpectedly.
• Collaborate with other engineers, project managers, and clients to ensure the successful implementation of protection systems.
• Prepare technical documentation, including relay settings, test reports, system protection studies, and coordination diagrams.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards (e.g., IEEE, IEC, NERC) and regulatory requirements.

What You Bring

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in electrical engineering.
• 8+ years of experience in protection and relay engineering, with expertise in power systems, electrical protection, and controls.
• Proven experience working with utility companies, renewable energy projects, or transmission and distribution systems.
• Registered Professional Engineer.
• Highly proficient in relay setpoint development including SEL and GE relay programming.
• Highly proficient in applicable industry software (e.g., EasyPower, ETAP, CYMCAP, CDEGS, AcSELerator QuickSet).
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop technical teams
• Strong leadership, written and oral communication, and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Thirteen (13) + years of applicable industry experience.
• Experience with power facility construction and commissioning.
• Experience as Owner’s Engineer or Engineer of Record for utility-scale wind and solar projects.
• Experience managing complex tasks in multidisciplinary projects.
• Recognized expert in one or more areas related to renewable energy project delivery.

What We Offer?

We foster an environment where talented professionals have the freedom and support to do their most meaningful work. Our values and company culture form the foundation of our success, creating a positive and collaborative work environment. These guiding principles are vital to our continued achievements and unwavering commitment to improving the world around us.

As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to cultivate and develop your skills and work alongside talented colleagues who are committed to improving the quality of life while demonstrating stewardship of the built and natural environments.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life Insurance
• Financial wellness: Health Savings Account (HSA) and Lifestyle Spending Account with employer contributions
• Professional development: Support for continuing education and training opportunities.
• Work-life balance: Paid Time Off (PTO) and Holiday Pay
• Work Schedule: Flexible 9/80 schedule—every other Friday off!
• Retirement: 401k plan
• Wellbeing focus: Holistic Wellbeing Program centered on physical, emotional, financial, career, and community health
• Growth opportunities: Access to mentorship, professional support, and pathways for career advancement
• Potential salary range: $125,000 - $180,000
• The posted salary range represents the typical range for this position and is provided in accordance with applicable state and local transparency laws. Actual compensation will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, and geographic location.

If you are a recruiter, search agency, or otherwise wish to refer a candidate to DEA, you will not be compensated in any way for your referral of a candidate to DEA without an active and signed written agreement in place in advance with DEA Human Resources. Any resume submitted to any DEA employee by an external recruiter without a written agreement in place at the time of submission will be considered the property of DEA and DEA will not be liable for the payment of a placement fee. If you would like to notify DEA of your interest in initiating a written agreement for services, please e-mail ***email_hidden*** .

Potential office locations include: Portland, OR; Corvallis, OR; Bend, OR; Salem, OR; Coeur d'Alene, ID; Boise, ID; Pocatello, ID; Spokane, WA; Seattle, WA; Woodinville, WA; Tacoma, WA; Olympia, WA; Salt Lake City, UT.