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Contract Protection & Controls Engineer Jobs in Chattanooga, TN

Substation Engineer 3 - Grid

Chattanooga, TN ยท On-site

$74K - $113K/yr

Physical layout and protection & controls experience. * Ability to work with Designer to develop ... Many engineers in these roles build or use automation to create calculations, summarize technical ...

What You'll Learn * Substation Protection & Controls concepts - How power system protection ... Produce complete engineering drawing packages based on directions from engineers and designers ...

What You'll Learn * Substation Protection & Controls concepts - How power system protection ... Produce complete engineering drawing packages based on directions from engineers and designers ...

What You'll Learn * Substation Protection & Controls concepts - How power system protection ... Produce complete engineering drawing packages based on directions from engineers and designers ...

Showing results 21-40

Contract Protection Controls Engineer information

See Chattanooga, TN salary details

$50.1K

$87.9K

$119.3K

How much do contract protection & controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract protection & controls engineer in Chattanooga, TN is $87,933.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $76,000.00 and $98,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Contract Protection & Controls Engineer do?

A Contract Protection & Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining protection and control systems within electrical power networks, often under contract for utility or industrial clients. Their work ensures the safe and reliable operation of electrical systems by preventing faults and managing system stability. They handle tasks such as system analysis, relay coordination, preparing technical documentation, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. These engineers often collaborate with project managers, contractors, and other engineers to deliver projects on time and within budget. Their expertise is crucial for minimizing system downtime and protecting critical infrastructure.

What is the difference between Contract Protection & Controls Engineer vs Electrical Engineer?

AspectContract Protection & Controls EngineerElectrical Engineer
CertificationsPE license, control system certificationsPE license, electrical engineering degrees
Work EnvironmentIndustrial plants, power stations, control system sitesDesign offices, manufacturing facilities, project sites
Industry UsagePower, energy, manufacturing sectorsConstruction, electronics, energy, manufacturing

The Contract Protection & Controls Engineer focuses on designing and maintaining control systems and protection schemes for industrial and power facilities, ensuring safety and reliability. Electrical Engineers have a broader scope, including designing electrical systems, power distribution, and electronic components. While both roles require electrical credentials and work in related environments, the Protection & Controls Engineer specializes in control systems and protection schemes specific to industrial applications.

What are the typical challenges faced by a Contract Protection & Controls Engineer when working on short-term projects?

Contract Protection & Controls Engineers on short-term projects often need to quickly adapt to new teams, project scopes, and site-specific systems. Balancing multiple project deadlines while ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards can be challenging, especially when documentation or system histories are limited. Effective communication and rapid learning are essential for integrating into new environments and collaborating with electrical, instrumentation, and operations teams to deliver reliable protection and control solutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Protection & Controls Engineer?

To thrive as a Contract Protection & Controls Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, power systems, and contract management, often supported by a relevant degree and engineering licensure. Expertise in industry-standard protection relays, SCADA systems, and familiarity with technical standards such as IEEE or IEC, as well as certifications like Professional Engineer (PE), are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with stakeholders and manage complex project requirements. These skills and qualities are crucial to ensuring the safe, reliable, and compliant operation of electrical systems within contractual frameworks.
What are the most commonly searched types of Protection & Controls Engineer jobs in Chattanooga, TN? The most popular types of Protection & Controls Engineer jobs in Chattanooga, TN are:
What are popular job titles related to Contract Protection & Controls Engineer jobs in Chattanooga, TN? For Contract Protection & Controls Engineer jobs in Chattanooga, TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:
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What cities near Chattanooga, TN are hiring for Contract Protection & Controls Engineer jobs? Cities near Chattanooga, TN with the most Contract Protection & Controls Engineer job openings:

Senior Substation P&C Engineering Specialist

Mesa Accosiates

Chattanooga, TN โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

PDS 8 / Power Delivery Substation
This position is not eligible for recruiting or sourcing by outside parties.
Disclaimer: Be cautious and only respond to emails from our "mesainc.com" domain. We will never ask for sensitive information, such as bank account details, SSN, etc., via email. If you receive any communication asking for such information, it is not from Mesa. For any concerns, or to verify the authenticity of a message, please contact us through our official channels.
Mesa seeks a Senior Substation Protection & Controls (P&C) Engineering Technologist to serve as a senior technical resource on transmission substation protection and controls projects. This position is for our Power Delivery Substation group, which supports various clients across the United States.
What We're Looking For
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering technology.
  • 10+ Years of transmission substation P&C design experience in the electric utility industry for voltage ranges spanning from 12kV to 230kV+.
  • Deep P&C design expertise - Protection schemes, AC/DC schematics, panel layouts, wiring diagrams, battery size calculations, and Bill-of-Materials.
  • Design software proficiency - Expert with AutoCAD; comfortable providing design markups with Bluebeam Revu.
  • Independent problem-solver - Can spot inconsistencies, trace root causes in drawings or specifications, and deliver well-documented solutions with minimal supervision.
  • Client-facing communicator - Able to lead design reviews, kickoffs, and scope discussions directly with utility clients and other consultants.
  • Mentor by default - Naturally develops junior and mid-level engineers; sets the bar on design quality, documentation, and QA discipline for the team around you.
  • Location - Located within commuting distance of Knoxville, TN or Chattanooga, TN.
  • Travel availability - Willing to travel to client sites for periodic site visits, typically 1-2 single-night trips per month.

What You'll Lead
  • The quality bar on P&C deliverables - Own the checking and review process for protection schemes, AC/DC schematics, panel layouts, and wiring drawings so packages leave the group right the first time.
  • Design direction on medium- to large-scale projects - Set the technical approach on assigned packages and guide the team through standards and calculation methods.
  • Mentoring and development - Coach junior and mid-level engineers, designers, and drafters on drafting standards, calculation methods, and best-practice workflows.
  • Standards and best practices - Shape Mesa's internal P&C standards, calculation templates, QA checklists, and lessons-learned library.
  • Client conversations on P&C scope - Represent the team in design reviews, status meetings, and direct technical conversations with utility clients.

What You'll Do
  • Create and check single-line/three-line diagrams, panel layouts, AC/DC schematics, wiring diagrams, battery size calculations, and BoMs for medium- to large-scale projects.
  • Examine drawings, specifications, and calculations to locate inconsistencies; research standards or vendor data; propose corrective actions with clear documentation.
  • Perform peer reviews and final QA, ensuring deliverables meet code, client requirements, and Mesa's internal QA procedures.
  • Coordinate handoffs with adjacent groups (Relay Settings, Substation Physical, Scoping) so protection and controls work integrates cleanly with the rest of the package.
  • Identify process bottlenecks, develop internal time-saving tools, and contribute to Mesa's internal knowledge base.
  • Support proposals and estimates with input on P&C scope and level of effort.

What You'll Earn
  • Paid Time Off
  • Holiday Pay - 10 Days Annually
  • Group Medical/Dental Insurance
  • Life Insurance (Company Paid)
  • Disability Insurance (Company Paid)
  • 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
  • 401(k) Matching Contribution
  • Section 125/Cafeteria Plan
  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Fitness Center Reimbursement
  • Annual Performance Bonus
  • 9/80 Work Schedule Option
  • FSA and HSA Options

Notice to External Search Firms: Mesa Associates, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be obligated to pay a placement fee for unsolicited resumes. Mesa Associates, Inc. Talent Acquisition engages with approved search firms directly for specific hiring needs.
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For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.