Senior Relay Settings Engineer - Coeur d'Alene

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.

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).

Key Responsibilities:

• 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., Easy Power, 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.

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., Easy Power, ETAP, CYMCAP, CDEGS, AcSELerator Quick Set).
• 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:

• 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.