Principal Grid Protection Engineer

The challenge

Modernize the grid protection philosophy for a service territory integrating gigawatts of solar, wind, and storage resources.

Role overview

Protection system redesign for a utility managing the shift from synchronous generation to inverter-based resources. Fault studies, relay settings, and the protection philosophy that keeps the grid safe as the generation mix changes -- all of it runs through this role.

Specializations

Technical requirements

• BSEE required.
• 10+ years in power systems protection engineering, with utility or consulting experience
• Expert-level proficiency in protection coordination software (ASPEN OneLiner, CAPE, or ETAP)
• Deep understanding of protective relay operation (SEL, GE, ABB relay platforms)
• Experience with IEEE 1547-2018 interconnection requirements for distributed resources
• Understanding of inverter-based resource fault characteristics and their impact on protection

Key responsibilities

• Develop protection coordination studies for distribution and sub-transmission systems with high IBR penetration
• Specify protective relay settings for feeders, transformers, and distributed generation interconnections
• Evaluate emerging protection technologies (traveling wave, incremental quantity) for IBR-dominated circuits
• Lead the development of the utility's updated protection philosophy for feeders with >40% IBR penetration
• Perform fault studies using ASPEN OneLiner, CAPE, or equivalent tools
• Mentor junior protection engineers and review relay settings packages

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary: $165,000 - $195,000
• Pension plan (defined benefit)
• Annual incentive bonus (8-12%)
• Tuition reimbursement for advanced degrees
• Hybrid schedule (3 days on-site, 2 remote)