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Entry Level Substation Protection Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Performs engineering work with a focus on substation engineering design including both physical and protection & control practices. Requires knowledge of substation systems from 34.5kV to 500kV with ...

Substation Physical Engineer - REMOTE

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

$101.50K - $129.30K/yr

Substation Physical Engineer - REMOTE Location: Remote US Ready to make a difference? ICF is ... Lightning Protection * Illumination Plan & Details * Leading the design and preparation of ...

We use in-house talent, expertise and resources to plan, design, engineer, manage, conduct ... No experience required for an entry level position in the electric utility industry. More ...

Primary Purpose General Engineer - RTA, Transmission & Substation Protection Analysis will provide operational analysis and support to multiple areas for transmission, distribution, and substation ...

Substation Engineer II

Chicago, IL · On-site

$86.51K - $100K/yr

Engineering/project cost estimates and schedules * Physical substation design including yard ... Protection and control design including panel arrangements, one lines/single lines, three lines, AC ...

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Entry Level Substation Protection Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$41.7K

$89K

$146.8K

How much do entry level substation protection engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level substation protection engineer in Chicago, IL is $88,985.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,000.00 and $106,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Substation Protection Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Substation Protection Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, knowledge of power systems, and a relevant degree such as a BSEE. Familiarity with industry tools like AutoCAD, relay coordination software (such as SEL or GE relays), and understanding of NERC reliability standards is highly valuable. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you excel in technical problem-solving and team collaboration. These competencies ensure reliable substation operation, accurate protection system design, and adherence to industry safety and compliance standards.

What are some typical projects or tasks an Entry Level Substation Protection Engineer might work on during their first year?

As an Entry Level Substation Protection Engineer, you can expect to assist in designing and reviewing protection and control schematics, performing relay settings calculations, and supporting the commissioning of substation equipment. You’ll likely collaborate closely with senior engineers, project managers, and field technicians, gaining hands-on experience with protective relays, communication protocols, and system studies. Over your first year, you’ll become familiar with industry standards and utility requirements, develop troubleshooting skills, and contribute to ensuring reliable and safe operation of power systems.

What does an Entry Level Substation Protection Engineer do?

An Entry Level Substation Protection Engineer assists in designing, implementing, and maintaining protective systems for electrical substations. Their primary role is to ensure the safe and reliable operation of power grids by analyzing system data, preparing technical drawings, and supporting senior engineers in developing protection schemes. They also help with troubleshooting equipment issues, conducting field inspections, and ensuring compliance with industry standards and safety regulations.

What is the difference between Entry Level Substation Protection Engineer vs Substation Technician?

AspectEntry Level Substation Protection EngineerSubstation Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in electrical engineering; some certifications preferredHigh school diploma or technical training; certifications vary
Work EnvironmentDesign, analysis, and testing of protection systems in office and fieldField work, maintenance, and troubleshooting at substations
Employer & Industry UsageUtilities, engineering firms, power generation companiesUtility companies, contractors, maintenance providers
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level roles in substation protectionLearning about substation maintenance and technical roles

The Entry Level Substation Protection Engineer focuses on designing and analyzing protection systems, requiring an engineering degree, while a Substation Technician handles maintenance and troubleshooting in the field. Both roles are essential in the power industry but differ in responsibilities, credentials, and work environment.

What are the most commonly searched types of Substation Protection Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Substation Protection Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Substation Protection Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? For Entry Level Substation Protection Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Substation Protection Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Substation Protection Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Substation Protection Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Part Time. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $88,985 per year, or $42.8 per hour.
Substation Protection & Controls Project Engineer (PE License Required)

Substation Protection & Controls Project Engineer (PE License Required)

Amped I LLC

Chicago, IL • On-site, Remote

$149.10K - $160K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Description

Amped I LLC was founded in 2010 as a design and engineering firm specializing in power infrastructure projects ranging from transmission to distribution for power utility, industry, government and commercial facilities. Amped I is a small, certified Women's Business Enterprise with the goal to provide exceptional value, integrity, and client satisfaction to all of our clients' needs. Amped I is also committed to both career growth and job satisfaction for each individual team member. We are proud and stand behind our core values of accountability, collaboration, positive energy, problem solving, and continuous improvement.


Job Summary

The Substation Protection & Controls Project Engineer role is a mid-level, full-time, permanent position. This position is fully-remote, allowing you to work from home Monday - Friday each week. While working alongside a team of experienced electrical engineers and providing guidance to entry-level electrical engineers, this position leads projects in electrical substation protection and control design. If you're looking for an exciting opportunity where your contributions and career growth is valued from day one, we invite you to apply!


Duties/Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

  • Create/modify design documents and drawings for a project, including one-lines, three-lines, control schematics and wiring diagrams, relay panel arrangements and specifications, conduit and cable sizing/routing, and generating bills of material
  • Design auxiliary AC and DC power systems
  • Develop SCADA system and communications interfaces
  • Work with various project teams to fully develop system integration of protection, control, and monitoring systems
  • Perform basic calculations such as relay burden, voltage drop, and short circuit calculations
  • Perform relay coordination studies and prepare relay settings
  • Effectively communicate and coordinate project activities with Project Managers, clients, designers and drafters as needed
  • Single point of contact with clients on technical issues
  • Multi-discipline engineering
  • Manages project work from all technical aspects
  • Ability to review engineering of the entire project
  • Creates project cost estimates and proposals for new project work
  • Performs site walk-downs independently to scope project requirements
  • Produce scope documents based on client requests and standards

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

Required Skills and Abilities

  • Strong understanding of a substation project lifecycle at the utility level 
  • Excellent technical communication and detail-oriented work practices
  • High comfort level with teaching, training, and mentoring team members

Education and Experience

  • Bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited university in Electrical Engineering 
  • Engineering Technology degrees considered in combination with industry experience
  • Professional Engineer (PE) License required, MS Engineering preferred, but not required
    • Ability to obtain PE License in additional states/jurisdictions based on client requirements
  • Minimum 6 years experience in relay protection and control design of high voltage 12-500 kV substations


Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary along with a comprehensive benefits package, including:

  • Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision plans, as well as access to telemedicine.
  • Retirement Plans: 401(k) with a company match.
  • Paid Time Off (PTO): Vacation days, sick leave, and personal time off.
  • Paid Company Holidays: Company paid holidays and one floating holiday.
  • Family Support: Paid leave policies for maternity, paternity, adoption, and foster care placement.
  • Life and Disability Insurance: Basic and supplemental life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance.
  • Flexible Scheduling: Remote work options and flexible work hours.

**In order to be considered for this position, please also complete the Culture Index assessment, linked here.


Our company embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We believe the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.