What does a relay engineer do?
Relay engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real relay engineer resumes:
- Manage ATM network, deploying switches into regional data centers, and troubleshooting connectivity.
- Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
- Pursue hardware faults in Cisco (formerly Stratacom) IPX/IGX switches.
- Implement utility network monitoring and alarming system which include outage notification and restoration.
- Expedite and simplify the quotation process for solar water heating systems by accurately representing solar water heating system performance through MATLAB models
- Used AutoCAD to design a transformer sensor box, recloser cabinet and to document current lab electrical layout.
Relay engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 21% of Relay Engineers are proficient in Cape, SCADA, and API. They’re also known for soft skills such as Initiative, Speaking skills, and Writing skills.
We break down the percentage of Relay Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Cape, 21%
Contributed to the development and integration of CAPE (Computer Aided Protection Engineering) for SCE.
- SCADA, 14%
Led subcontractors in the testing and troubleshooting of telemetry, hydraulic and SCADA systems before final hand-over.
- API, 12%
Conducted risk-based technology transfer of advanced intermediates and API to external Contract Manufacturing Organizations or internal scale-up facilities.
- Logic Diagrams, 11%
Implemented logic testing using logic diagrams and secondary injection testing.
- IEC, 10%
Performed commissioning work at Larrabee Substation for Central Maine Power a fully integrated IEC 61850 system.
- Grid, 9%
Define protective relay and metering schemes, equipment specification, and smart grid applications.
Most relay engineers use their skills in "cape," "scada," and "api" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential relay engineer responsibilities here:
Initiative. The most essential soft skill for a relay engineer to carry out their responsibilities is initiative. This skill is important for the role because "electrical and electronics engineers must apply their knowledge to new tasks in every project they undertake." Additionally, a relay engineer resume shows how their duties depend on initiative: "led initiative to standardize css, themes and javascript for cross browser and cross platform support. "
Speaking skills. Another essential skill to perform relay engineer duties is speaking skills. Relay engineers responsibilities require that "electrical and electronics engineers work closely with other engineers and technicians." Relay engineers also use speaking skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "presented test data analysis results to company and us air force officials. "
Writing skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of relay engineers is writing skills. This skill is critical to many everyday relay engineer duties, as "electrical and electronics engineers develop technical publications related to equipment they develop, including maintenance manuals, operation manuals, parts lists, product proposals, and design methods documents." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "set up and built aws infrastructure with various services available by writing cloud formation templates in json. "
Math skills. relay engineer responsibilities often require "math skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "electrical and electronics engineers must use the principles of calculus and other advanced math in order to analyze, design, and troubleshoot equipment." This resume example shows what relay engineers do with math skills on a typical day: "design responsibilities included detailed mathematical analysis using matlab as well as circuit simulation using pspice. "
The three companies that hire the most relay engineers are:
- Leidos12 relay engineers jobs
- Electric Power Systems8 relay engineers jobs
- Burns & McDonnell4 relay engineers jobs
Compare different relay engineers
Relay engineer vs. Electrical & instrumentation designer
An electrical instrumentation designer's main job is to design instruments that can be used in various areas such as laboratories, power plants, or research institutes. They work together with a team or individually to design instruments, create a prototype, and test its functions. They can even install these instruments in different establishments and locations. They are tasked with repair and training engineers. At other times, they are assigned to record expenses and other documentation.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, relay engineer responsibilities require skills like "cape," "sel," "scada," and "api." Meanwhile a typical electrical & instrumentation designer has skills in areas such as "plc," "instrumentation design," "p id," and "i/o." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, electrical & instrumentation designers reach lower levels of education than relay engineers. Electrical & instrumentation designers are 14.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Relay engineer vs. Senior electrical designer
A Senior Electrical Designer is in charge of creating electrical schematics, layouts, and other grid plans for their organization, as well as providing the best solution for improvements. They supervise the material, construction, labor costs, and project timescales.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, relay engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "cape," "sel," "scada," and "api." Meanwhile, a senior electrical designer has duties that require skills in areas such as "electrical design," "revit," "electrical equipment," and "electrical systems." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Senior electrical designers earn lower levels of education than relay engineers in general. They're 10.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Relay engineer vs. Electrical designer
An electrical designer designs and develops electrical circuit and system layouts for electric power distribution. The responsibilities of an electrical designer include assembling electrical panels and leading a team of document control personnel in-charged to identify and organize facility maintenance drawings. The position requires good initiative, writing, speaking, and mathematical skills to accomplish such responsibilities. The job's education requirements include possessing a college degree in electrical engineering, design, or a related field.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a relay engineer is likely to be skilled in "cape," "sel," "api," and "logic diagrams," while a typical electrical designer is skilled in "revit," "electrical design," "autocad electrical," and "ul."
Electrical designers typically earn lower educational levels compared to relay engineers. Specifically, they're 11.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Relay engineer vs. Instrumentation & control engineer
An instrumentation and control engineer is responsible for installing and designing technical components for engineering systems that would support production and manufacturing processes. Instrumentation and control engineers inspect control systems, modify features and infrastructure, configure controllers, and run multiple quality checks to ensure stability and optimal performance. They must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in developing system codes and analyzing programming languages to serve control functions and development. An instrumentation and control engineer also resolves system issues and write resolution reports for reference.
Types of relay engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
