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Contract Protection & Controls Engineer Jobs in Pittsburgh, PA

GAI Consultants is seeking a Protection & Controls engineer with Relay Settings experience. This position will perform protection and controls design, provide technical guidance, design reviews, QA/Q ...

GAI Consultants is seeking a Protection & Controls engineer with Relay Settings experience. This position will perform protection and controls design, provide technical guidance, design reviews, QA/Q ...

Eaton's PCS Group (Protection, Controls and Solutions) Advanced Technology Team is looking for a Lead Embedded Hardware Electrical Engineer to join our fast-paced team of engineers in developing ...

Showing results 41-60

Contract Protection Controls Engineer information

See Pittsburgh, PA salary details

$53.4K

$93.8K

$127.2K

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

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract protection & controls engineer in Pittsburgh, PA is $93,755.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,100.00 and $104,800.00 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 Pittsburgh, PA? The most popular types of Protection & Controls Engineer jobs in Pittsburgh, PA are:
What are popular job titles related to Contract Protection & Controls Engineer jobs in Pittsburgh, PA? For Contract Protection & Controls Engineer jobs in Pittsburgh, PA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Contract Protection & Controls Engineer jobs in Pittsburgh, PA look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Protection & Controls Engineer jobs in Pittsburgh, PA are:
What cities near Pittsburgh, PA are hiring for Contract Protection & Controls Engineer jobs? Cities near Pittsburgh, PA with the most Contract Protection & Controls Engineer job openings:

Protection & Control Project Engineer 1

GAI Consultants

Homestead, PA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 11 days ago


GAI Consultants rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

9th of 447 rated engineering


Job description

GAI Consultants is seeking a Project Engineer 1 (P&C) for substation-related work. This position will perform substation and protection and controls design, technical guidance/training/mentoring of staff, design reviews, QA/QC review, and enforcement related to all aspects of protection & controls design services. The successful candidate will work on various substation and/or protection and control engineering projects including detailed design for high voltage substation projects through 500kV, with a focus on a "Client First" approach to all interactions.
Job Duties:
  • Manage, design, and perform QA/QC checks related to technical activities including, but not limited to, the following:
  • Development of and/or revisions to existing drawings for one-lines, physical arrangement, grounding, schematics and wiring, control and relaying panels and equipment wiring including coordinating with CAD operators to develop organized quality CAD drawings.
    • Integrate protection and control drawings to interface with the physical layout and design of substations.
    • Design of interfacing with SCADA systems and communications including RTUs, HMIs, and IEDs.
    • Development of control and relay panel layouts including assembling the specifications.
    • Creation of project criteria.
    • Development of design specifications including the overall bill of materials.
    • Design and sizing of auxiliary systems including AC/DC load centers as well as batteries and chargers.
    • Design and sizing of conduit, cable, and backup generators.
    • Ordering long-lead item materials.
    • Point to Point checks.
    • Review junior engineer's designs, verify they meet client standards and specifications, and identify gaps in client's protection.
    • Document QAQC reviews, maintain record documents, and communicate information to the team.
  • Traveling to other offices and meeting with clients and attending project-specific meetings on a regular basis.
  • Managing tasks on multiple projects in accordance with GAI's high standards of project management.
  • Managing and assisting with the development of the scope of services and cost estimates for Substation and P&C projects.
  • Ability to manage competing priorities using sound engineering and financial judgment to determine optimal solutions.
  • Must be flexible to handle shifting deadlines and scope changes.
  • Must have resource management skills and the ability to identify project barriers and mitigate them without schedule impacts.
  • Must be able to manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously and be able to work effectively under the pressure of deadlines and unexpected developments.
  • Ability to work extended hours or after hours when required.

General Characteristics
  • Applies thorough knowledge of current principles and practices of engineering related to the variety of aspects affecting their organization.
  • Applies progressively acquired expertise to resolve crucial issues and/or unique conditions.
  • Keeps informed of new methods and developments affecting their practice and recommends new practices or changes in emphasis of projects.
  • Leads projects of moderate complexity and scope or leads a major project.
  • Analyzes complex problems across specialty areas appropriate to the practice of engineering.
  • Analyzes ethical dilemmas to determine appropriate courses of action.

Physical Requirements
  • Ability to work indoors in professional office settings.
  • Ability to sit for extended periods while performing computer-based tasks.
  • Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and handling office equipment.
  • Visual acuity to read printed materials, digital screens, detailed documents, and perform detailed work.
  • Occasional standing, walking, bending, or reaching within the office environment. Ability to move between workstations and attend in-person meetings.
  • Ability to lift and carry office materials or equipment weighing up to 10-20 pounds, with or without assistance.
  • Adequate hearing to participate in conversations, phone calls, and virtual meetings.
  • Ability to travel for meetings, training, or business purposes.

Minimum Years of Experience
  • 10+ Years of Experience

Education
  • B.S. or M.S. Engineering

Certification/Licensure
  • Valid Driver's License
  • Professional Engineer (P.E.) License, reciprocity in multiple states.

Technical Responsibilities
  • Occasionally serves as the technical advisor in the application of advanced concepts and methods in an assigned area.
  • Keeps informed of new developments and requirements affecting the practice for the purpose of recommending changes in projects or applications.
  • Occasionally develops new techniques and/or improved processes, materials, or products.

Project and Task Management
  • Oversees a project team of engineers and technicians.
  • Plans, schedules, and coordinates the preparation of documents or activities for multiple major projects.
  • Analyzes project management plans for complex engineering projects.
  • Understands project delivery uncertainties and uses risk management principles to address them.
  • Reviews operational procedures to ensure compliance with applicable policies and performance measures

Management Responsibility
  • Receives administrative supervision with assignments given in terms of broad general objectives and limits.
  • Mentors senior staff.
  • Integrates professional attitudes relevant to the practice of engineering and fosters creativity, curiosity, flexibility, and dependability in staff

Communication Skills
  • Applies principles of formal strategic and persuasive communications.
  • Represents their area of specialty within the organization and liaises with related individuals and organizations.
  • Routinely interacts with organizational leaders, clients, officials, contractors, and others.
  • Integrates concepts of effective teamwork and leadership

Why GAI?
At GAI, exceptional people have an exceptional place to work, grow, lead, and achieve. Explore an array of opportunities in locations across the U.S. and join accomplished colleagues in tackling challenging projects for a range of markets. Enjoy comprehensive benefits and feel good about being part of a collaborative team that's committed to supporting the communities we serve. Join GAI and distinguish yourself in a company poised for unlimited growth.
Benefits To Working at GAI Include:
  • Competitive salary - GAI is committed to paying market-based salaries
  • Comprehensive benefits package including medical, vision, dental, company paid Long Term Disability, and Short-Term Disability (benefits start within 30 days of hire)
  • New paid Maternity/Paternity/Adoption program
  • Generous Paid Time Off and 7 paid holidays
  • 401k company match
  • Tuition Reimbursement

#INDHP
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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About GAI Consultants

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

GAI Consultants is an employee-owned corporation offering comprehensive engineering, planning, and environmental consulting services to diverse industry sectors, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The company operates in the field of engineering consulting and provides sustainable and economically-viable solutions to clients ranging from bridge design, community planning, to industrial facilities, ecological studies, and more. GAI Consultants was founded in 1958 and, over more than six decades, has grown significantly with a strong commitment to advancing clients' projects and contributing to community development. The firm operates on the core values of integrity, client satisfaction, quality, and workforce development, all of which raises the bar on client service and project excellence, ultimately contributing to the company’s mission, which is 'to create and deliver superior, innovative consulting solutions that enrich the lives of our people and enhance the world we live in.'

Industry

Civil engineering construction

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Pittsburgh, PA, US

Year founded

1958

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