Substation Relay Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Substation Relay Engineer

Work Location : Aberdeen, Huron, Mitchell, Sioux Falls or Yankton, SD

Pay range : $85,000 to $139,300 per year (for a more detailed pay range please see below)

Substation Relay Engineer I - Starting Range : $85,000 - $97,200

Substation Relay Engineer II - Starting Range : $92,900 - $111,500

Substation Relay Engineer III - Starting Range : $104,500 - $125,400

Substation Relay Engineer IV - Starting Range : $116,100 - $139,300

Employment Status : Regular Full-Time

External candidates apply at northwesternenergy.com

Internal candidates apply through iConnect.

About this position :

The Relay Engineer will design, test and maintain relay protection systems for electrical power systems. Responsibilities include developing protective relay settings, conducting coordination studies, collaborating with engineering teams, troubleshooting relay malfunctions, and participating in commissioning activities. Requires a strong background in electrical engineering, expertise in relay technologies, and a commitment to safety and reliability standards associated with NERC compliance.

We offer great benefits :

NorthWestern Energy is a fully regulated electric and natural gas utility serving Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. We employ over 1,500 amazing people and serve 775,300 customers who are our neighbors in our communities. We are a top employer and offer competitive benefits, including :

• 401K with company match up to 4% and non-elective contribution up to 7%
• Healthcare and wellbeing programs, including dental and vision for you, your spouse and dependents, Health Savings Account (HSA), healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Programs (Offering up to six free counseling sessions, per person, per issue, per year for employees, spouses and dependents to include financial heath)
• Life Insurance (Company pays basic employee policy; spouse, dependent insurance also available)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Competitive pay (Scheduled performance-based wage increases and annual incentive opportunities.)
• Paid company endorsed volunteer opportunities
• Paid parental leave
• Paid bereavement leave
• Paid training opportunities
• Paid time off starting on your first day, plus 11 paid holidays

Benefits may vary by position or as negotiated as part of a collective bargaining agreement.

About this job :

Am I right for this job? Here's the success profile :

Recent graduates encouraged to apply

Substation Relay Engineer I - Starting Range : $85,000 - $97,200

Entry Level position - Bachelor's degree in engineering required for all levels. Electrical preferred . Produce basic designs utilizing existing procedures and standards; applying modifications as directed. Responsibilities include assisting in developing relay construction drawings, developing protective relay settings and conducting coordination studies and other activities.

Substation Relay Engineer II - Starting Range : $92,900 - $111,500

Intermediate Working knowledge to produce conventional designs and deliverables of limited complexity; independently applying modifications for which precedents are generally established. Effectively manage projects of limited scope; accurately adjusting scope, schedule and budget as variances occur. Independently develop relay construction drawings, protective relay settings. Proficient in independently analyzing / troubleshooting relay malfunctions and supporting commissioning activities. Pursuit of PE expected.

Substation Relay Engineer III - Starting Range : $104,500 - $125,400

Advanced skills in relay event analysis and event and analysis software. Expertise in electrical drawings, protective relay settings calculations and analysis and relay setting coordination studies. Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills and ability to mentor / train junior engineers effectively. PE preferred.

Substation Relay Engineer IV - Starting Range : $116,100 - $139,300

May include an advanced degree and PE preferred and may be required for certain positions. Technical relay leadership experience and improving and driving relay processes and standards. In-depth expert on operational and compliance requirements and processes. Strong strategic planning skills to align relay design and implementation with organizational objectives. Produce designs and deliverables of advanced complexity and perform peer review of colleagues' work and or those engineers who have a Professional License stamps engineering deliverables in a technical discipline. Advanced level technical skills including comprehensive system design, configuration, and management. PE strongly preferred.

Requisition #4769

Posting Dates : August 19, 2025 through Open Until Filled

Department / Division : Distribution Operations : Substation Operations : Relay Engineering

Employment Physical : Required

Drug Test : Required

Background Check : Required

Relocation Benefit : Negotiable

Telecommuting : Part-time Negotiable within NorthWestern Energy Service Territory

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal or state laws and statutes. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and / or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department at 1-800-245-6977 or at job.inquiries@northwestern.com .

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