About this Transmission Relay Technician I or Learner Relay Technician role at Duke Energy
Important Application Submission Information
In order to ensure your application is successfully received before the job posting expires, please submit your application by 11:59 PM on Monday, November 16, 2026More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives.
Build an exciting, rewarding career with us – help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.
“Depending upon the desired qualifications of the successful applicant, the hiring manager may elect to fill this position at a higher level within the job hierarchy”
Looking for an opportunity to grow your technical skills while helping support safe, reliable electric operations? Join the Relay Technician career path, where you'll gain hands-on experience with relay construction and maintenance, protective systems, controls, communications, and substation equipment.
Learner Relay Technician
As a Learner Relay Technician, you'll work alongside experienced technicians while developing the technical knowledge and independence needed to advance in the field. Under direct oversight, you will:
• Follow safe work practices and contribute to a strong safety culture.
• Learn and apply Human Performance Tools and requirements.
• Build knowledge of relaying, protective schemes, controls, alarms, distribution SCADA, and communications.
• Write basic isolation procedures.
• Read prints and learn the red-mark process.
• Develop familiarity with RTS, ASPEN, and required reporting.
• Learn NERC compliance requirements, including the importance of accurate data and timely completion.
• Apply basic troubleshooting and methodical problem-solving skills.
• Develop an understanding of CT and VT circuits.
• Gain exposure to carrier and tone equipment.
• Build effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• Develop positive working relationships and continually strengthen job-related technical and professional skills.
• Support company goals and represent the company positively and professionally.
• Participate in after-hours work and call-out rotation as required.
Minimum Requirements
• Valid state driver's license.
• Ability to pass any required background check for NERC/CIP/Nuclear compliance.
• Ability to pass the appropriate level of Duke aptitude test.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. for 100 feet.
• Education/Experience: Associate degree in Engineering Technology (or equivalent); high school diploma or equivalent plus 2 years of related relay/substation experience; or equivalent job-related and educational experience.
Transmission Relay Technician I
As a Transmission Relay Technician I, you'll take on more complex technical work with minimal oversight while building leadership experience. You'll assist higher-level technicians, safely guide lower-level technicians when appropriate, and lead small activities of low-to-moderate complexity. You will:
• Apply comprehensive substation safe-work practices, proactively identify concerns, and help eliminate safety issues.
• Organize construction activities and develop implementation plans.
• Read prints and determine how to isolate risk without jeopardizing critical protective schemes.
• Write, review, and execute isolation procedures methodically.
• Use drawings and field conditions to identify and correct design errors that could affect scheme operation.
• Isolate and test relays using RTS routines.
• Lead small, low-risk projects involving differential, breaker-failure, line, and distance relaying.
• Test and troubleshoot P&C circuits, CTs, VTs, CCVTs, and CVTs.
• Independently operate phase-angle meters, relay test sets, fiber-optic test sets, carrier test sets, ground detectors, and CT testers.
• Apply knowledge of carriers, tone equipment, traps, and tuners.
• Support installation of portable/mobile substations, transformers, and other temporary equipment.
• Query ASPEN and independently commission circuits with DCC.
• Terminate and test fiber-optic cables.
• Work with SCADA systems, modems, SEL2032s, UniOP, SEL2411s, and other station annunciator and alarm packages.
• Follow company policies and procedures for NERC and/or SERC requirements and document test results accurately and on time.
• Understand Blocking Guidelines (CarWest).
• Serve as lead in a call-out role and participate in after-hours work and call-out rotation as required.
• Recognize limitations, avoid assumptions, and stop work to seek assistance when needed.
• Maintain accurate records and files while coordinating work effectively with others.
• Communicate clearly, build positive working relationships, and demonstrate developing leadership skills.
• Continually strengthen technical and professional knowledge and provide leadership to lower-level technicians.
• Support company goals and represent the company positively and professionally.
• Demonstrate the ability to pass panel review by meeting or exceeding Learner Relay Technician requirements.
Minimum Requirements
• Valid state driver's license.
• Ability to pass any required background check for NERC/CIP/Nuclear compliance.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. for 100 feet.
• Education/Experience: Associate degree in Engineering Technology (or equivalent) plus 1 year of related relay/substation experience; or high school diploma or equivalent plus 3 years of related relay/substation experience.
Additional Job Requirement
This position contains a weight restriction of 275 pounds as an essential function of the job. The restriction helps ensure that all weight-rated equipment is used appropriately and safely within maximum allowed weight loading.
Career Progression
This career path is designed to support continued growth and increasing responsibility:
• Promotion within the job string requires strong performance at the prior level.
• Promotion within the job string, up to and including Relay Tech II, is based on meeting current step-progression requirements.
Travel Requirements
5-15%