Protection ETAP Engineer

Industry: Facilities Management

Job Title: Protection ETAP Engineer

Position Reports to: Engineering Services Manager

Location: SPARK Site, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

SUMMARY: The Protection Studies Engineer / ETAP Specialist is responsible for the power system modeling, protection coordination and engineering analysis that underpin Al Dhow Energy's engineering-led maintenance philosophy. Using ETAP and related tools, this role ensures protective devices across the transmission and distribution network are correctly coordinated, fault levels and equipment ratings remain adequate as the network grows, and every significant maintenance or operating decision is backed by data rather than assumption.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS AND ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Build, validate and maintain accurate ETAP models of the client's transmission (EHV/HV) and distribution (MV/LV) network
• Perform load-flow studies to identify loading constraints, voltage profile issues and reinforcement needs
• Perform short-circuit studies (ANSI & IEC methods) to verify switchgear and protection device ratings remain adequate as the network evolves
• Conduct protection coordination / relay setting studies — time-current coordination, selectivity and grading across all voltage levels
• Perform arc-flash hazard analysis, motor-starting studies, harmonic analysis and transient stability studies as required
• Develop, review and issue protection relay settings for transmission and distribution protection devices (overcurrent, differential, distance, earth fault, busbar protection)
• Coordinate protection schemes across the transmission/distribution interface to maintain selectivity and minimize the extent of any outage
• Support commissioning, site acceptance testing (SAT) of protection relays and schemes
• Investigate protection mis-operations and unplanned trips, and support formal root-cause analysis
• Support capacity and load-forecast studies for network expansion, reinforcement and new tenant
• Connections
• Assess the impact of new loads, distributed generation/PV integration and network reconfiguration on protection and system stability
• Prepare clear, decision-ready engineering study reports and recommendations for management and client review
• Ensure all studies and protection settings comply with IEC/IEEE standards, SEC specifications and applicable contractual requirements
• Maintain configuration and calibration records for all protection systems within scope
• Support internal and external audits related to protection engineering and studies
• Work closely with Operations, Maintenance and the 24/7 Control Center to communicate protection and engineering findings
• Provide technical input to new-connection design and construction management activities
• Maintain a current library of network models, single-line diagrams and study reports.

EDUCATION / CERTIFICATION / KNOWLEDGE:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, with a Power Systems specialization preferred
• ETAP — advanced proficiency required
• Working familiarity with SEC, SERA, IEC and IEEE standards
• Strong grounding in protection philosophy: overcurrent, differential, distance, earth-fault and busbar protection
• AutoCAD Electrical or equivalent for single-line diagram development (an advantage)
• Strong technical reporting
• Demonstrated proficiency in the Microsoft Office environment including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project and Outlook.

EXPERIENCE:

• 5–8 years of experience in power system studies, protection engineering, or a related discipline within a utility, EPC or industrial power systems environment
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with ETAP — Load Flow, Short Circuit, Star / Protective Device
• Coordination and Arc Flash modules — required
• Experience with protection relay families (e.g. Siemens SIPROTEC, ABB, SEL, Schneider) and relay configuration software (e.g. DIGSI) strongly preferred
• Experience with EHV/HV/MV transmission and distribution networks.

SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Rigorous analytical and problem-solving ability, with close attention to detail
• Clear communicator, able to explain complex technical findings to both engineers and non-technical stakeholders
• Comfortable working independently and managing multiple studies concurrently
• Strong personal commitment to safety, quality and documentation discipline.

All interested applicants can also email their CVs to [Confidential Information] with a subject line of Protection ETAP Engineer mentioning their availability.