Power System Protection Engineer

Siemens • Wendell, NC

15h • $86,485 - $148,261 • Hybrid

About The Position

Siemens Electrification and Automation is seeking Power System Protection Engineers to join its Power Systems Engineering team. The role focuses on power transmission and distribution, substation automation, and protection relay engineering. It is based at Siemens’ national headquarters in Wendell, North Carolina, in a hybrid work arrangement. Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates.

The engineer designs, configures, and tests protective relay systems for power systems and substations, and supports project delivery from initial design through commissioning. The role includes preparing and executing Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), developing protection and control schemes, guiding project teams, and serving as a technical interface with clients. On-site support, troubleshooting, commissioning, and travel of approximately 50–70% are expected depending on project assignments and requirements.

The position is full-time and permanent. Siemens lists an annual pay range of $86,485–$148,261, with a target incentive of 5% of base salary. Actual compensation may vary based on budget, candidate qualifications and experience, and geographic location. Siemens describes its employee offering as including a variety of health and wellness benefits; benefit details are provided through the company’s benefits site.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, or Computer Engineering.
• At least three years of engineering experience in power systems protection, particularly protection systems for electric utility generation, transmission, and distribution, including high-voltage networks.
• Experience leading technical projects or serving as a Technical Lead.
• Ability to read and fully understand DC and AC schematics and three-line and one-line diagrams for medium- and/or high-voltage substation systems.
• Advanced knowledge of at least one relay product and its associated software from vendors such as Siemens, GE, SEL, or ABB.
• Applied power protection knowledge covering overcurrent and over/undervoltage, transformer differential, motor protection, high- and low-impedance busbar differential, generator protection, and MV transfer and reverse interlocking schemes.
• Experience implementing communication protocols in protection relays, including IEC 61850 (MMS/GOOSE/SMV), MODBUS, and IEC 60870-5-101/103/104.
• Substation control and protection commissioning experience.
• Experience with factory and site testing of protection relays.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

• Applied power protection knowledge for high-voltage line differential and distance protection.
• Applied power protection knowledge for generator protection of large generating units.
• SIPROTEC 4 and SIPROTEC 5 experience.
• Communication network technology experience, including design, configuration, and troubleshooting of Ethernet switches for protection applications such as IEC 61850 Process Bus and GOOSE.
• Advanced programming skills and experience with programming languages used in protection systems.
• Experience with protection systems and engineering practices in electric utility applications, including knowledge of U.S. electric utility practices, ANSI and IEEE standards, and applicable NERC requirements.

Responsibilities

• Design, configure, and test protective relay systems for complex power systems and substations to ensure reliability and system integrity.
• Prepare test procedures and commissioning scripts, and execute Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT).
• Develop and implement protection and control schemes aligned with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and customer needs.
• Provide technical leadership and collaboration across project teams, resolving complex challenges and driving projects from design through final commissioning.
• Serve as a primary technical interface with clients, providing on-site support, troubleshooting, and commissioning expertise.
• Commission substation control and protection systems.
• Travel approximately 50–70% depending on project assignments and requirements.

Benefits

• A variety of health and wellness benefits; details are available through Siemens’ benefits site.
• Relocation assistance for eligible candidates.
• Target incentive of 5% of base salary.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level