Protection & Controls Engineer

Role: Protection & Controls/ Settings Engineer

Projects: Transmission, Distribution, Generation, Substation Engineering, and EPC Projects

Number: 2 vacancies

Location: Texas based (remote opportunity)

Working Pattern: Hybrid / Remote options available. Local candidates near Boerne will be expected to travel approximately 5% to project sites. Remote candidates must be senior and be comfortable with approximately 15% travel to project sites throughout Texas.

Experience: 5-10 years of direct protective relay settings expirience required.

Salary: 100,000-150,000 DOE

The Company

An established engineering organisation specialising in power systems, transmission, distribution, and substation engineering is seeking an experienced Relay / Settings Engineer to join its growing team.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a team working on a variety of electrical infrastructure projects, providing specialist engineering expertise across transmission, distribution, and generation substations.

The organisation offers a competitive benefits package, a strong focus on engineering quality, and the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals on technically challenging projects.

With remote working opportunities available for highly experienced candidates, this role offers flexibility while allowing engineers to remain involved in important power infrastructure projects across Texas.

The company also offers an attractive package, including 100% employer-paid health insurance, a 200% 401(k) match up to 4.5%, three weeks of PTO to start, and an annual performance-based profit-sharing bonus.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled Protection & Controls/ Settings Engineer with a strong background in protective relaying and power system protection.

You will be responsible for developing, reviewing, and implementing protective relay settings for transmission and distribution substations, as well as supporting generation substation projects.

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of five years of direct relay settings experience within the power industry, with strong technical knowledge of short-circuit modelling, protection coordination, and relay protection philosophies.

You should have hands-on experience working with protective relays such as SEL, Eaton, Beckwith, or similar manufacturers, alongside proficiency in engineering software such as ASPEN OneLiner, ETAP, and Mathcad.

This opportunity would suit an engineer who enjoys technical problem-solving, taking ownership of engineering deliverables, and contributing to the design and implementation of critical power infrastructure projects.

Candidates with additional experience in conceptual engineering, substation design, and technical project delivery will be particularly attractive.

Responsibilities

• Develop, review, and implement protective relay settings for transmission, distribution, and generation substations.
• Perform protective relaying studies, including short-circuit modelling, protection coordination, PT and CT sizing, and arc flash studies.
• Develop relay settings calculations, documentation, and technical reports.
• Ensure protection and control designs comply with applicable NERC, IEEE, and utility standards.
• Analyse power system disturbances and review and validate protective relay performance.
• Provide remote and on-site technical support for relay testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting.
• Review relay one-line diagrams, electrical schematics, and substation protection drawings.
• Review vendor documentation and technical submittals.
• Develop technical equipment specifications and provide specialist engineering input for protection and control design.
• Maintain accurate records of relay settings files, engineering reports, and coordination studies.
• Perform technical reviews and quality control checks on engineering deliverables produced by other team members.
• Support project managers in meeting project schedules, budgets, and contractual requirements.
• Identify and communicate technical risks, project challenges, and potential scope changes.
• Contribute to technical proposals, engineering estimates, and project planning activities.
• Stay up to date with industry developments, protection technologies, and engineering best practices.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited programme.
• Minimum of 5 years of direct protective relay settings experience within the power industry.
• Strong experience with power system short-circuit modelling and relay coordination.
• In-depth understanding of protective relay philosophies and transmission and distribution protection schemes.
• Hands-on experience with SEL, Eaton, Beckwith, or comparable protective relay manufacturers.
• Proficiency in ASPEN OneLiner, ETAP, and Mathcad.
• Experience with substation protection and control engineering.
• Knowledge of NERC, IEEE, and utility engineering standards.
• Strong technical report writing, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong communication, organisation, and time management skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Active Professional Engineer (PE) licence within the United States; Texas PE preferred.
• 10+ years of overall power industry experience, particularly for remote candidates.
• Previous experience in conceptual engineering and substation design.
• Experience supporting relay testing, commissioning, and field troubleshooting.
• Experience reviewing and performing QA/QC on protection and control engineering deliverables.

Benefits & Package

• 100% employer-paid health insurance.
• 50% employer-paid health insurance coverage for the first dependent.
• 200% 401(k) match up to 4.5%.
• Employer-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance.
• Dental, vision, and supplemental insurance options.
• Three weeks of PTO to start, with rollover.
• Paid holidays.
• Annual employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Annual performance-based profit-sharing bonus.

Oscar Associates Limited (US) is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.