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Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer Jobs in Ashburn, VA

M.C. Dean, Inc

Control Engineer 1

Manassas, VA · On-site

$72K - $89K/yr

... and protection, and transportation systems. They're technical experts in areas such as advanced ... control systems, PLCs, and SCADA systems. Controls engineers use these skills to design and ...

M.C. Dean, Inc

Control Engineer 3 - Manassas, VA

Manassas, VA · On-site

$83K - $108K/yr

... and protection, and transportation systems. They're technical experts in areas such as advanced ... control systems, PLCs, and SCADA systems. Controls engineers use these skills to design and ...

Rosendin Electric, Inc.

Systems Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

Have specialty in protection or automation control in power systems? Have experience in project ... Design and develop relay protection and automation logics for SEL, ABB, Siemens or GE relays

Rosendin Electric, Inc.

Systems Engineer

Sterling, VA · On-site

Have specialty in protection or automation control in power systems? Have experience in project ... Design and develop relay protection and automation logics for SEL, ABB, Siemens or GE relays

Rosendin

Systems Engineer

Sterling, VA

Have specialty in protection or automation control in power systems? Have experience in project ... Design and develop relay protection and automation logics for SEL, ABB, Siemens or GE relays

Fox

Freelance Production Assistant

Washington, DC

$71 - $80.50/hr

You will work closely with producers, writers, and editors in a fast-paced control room environment ... protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will consider for ...

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All JobsRelay Protection Control Engineer JobsFreelance Relay Protection Control Engineer JobsFreelance Relay Protection Control Engineer Jobs in Ashburn, VA

Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer information

See Ashburn, VA salary details

$15

$48

$135

How much do freelance relay protection control engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance relay protection control engineer in Ashburn, VA is $48.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.81 and $63.17 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a freelance relay protection control engineer do?

A Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer specializes in designing, testing, and maintaining protection and control systems for electrical power networks. Their work ensures the reliability and safety of power systems by detecting faults and automatically isolating affected sections. As freelancers, they provide these services on a project basis to utilities, industrial clients, or engineering firms. This role often includes tasks such as relay settings calculations, system modeling, and troubleshooting relay malfunctions, either remotely or on-site.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance relay protection control engineer?

To excel as a Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, expertise in power system protection, and experience with relay coordination and system analysis. Familiarity with industry-standard protective relay software (such as SEL, ABB, or GE relays), CAD tools, and relevant certifications like NETA or IEEE are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you manage independent projects and collaborate with clients. These competencies ensure safe, reliable power system operation and successful project delivery in a technically demanding field.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance relay protection control engineers when working with multiple clients simultaneously?

Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineers often juggle projects for several clients at once, which can present challenges such as managing varying technical standards, coordinating schedules, and ensuring clear communication across different teams. Each client may use different relay platforms or require unique protection schemes, so adaptability and strong organizational skills are crucial. Additionally, freelancers must be proactive in clarifying project scopes and deadlines to avoid misunderstandings and ensure successful project delivery. Building strong relationships and maintaining transparent communication with clients can help overcome these challenges.

What is the difference between Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer vs Substation Automation Engineer?

AspectFreelance Relay Protection Control EngineerSubstation Automation Engineer
CredentialsRelevant electrical engineering certifications, relay protection trainingElectrical engineering degree, automation system certifications
Work EnvironmentProject-based, on-site at substations or remotelyDesign, implementation, and maintenance of automation systems in substations
Industry UsagePower utilities, electrical contractors, consulting firmsPower utilities, automation solution providers
Common Search/ComparisonOften compared for roles in protection schemes and control systemsRelated to automation and control system integration

The Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer focuses on designing, testing, and implementing relay protection schemes, often working independently or on contract. In contrast, a Substation Automation Engineer specializes in integrating automation systems within substations to enhance operational efficiency. While both roles require electrical expertise and work within the power industry, their focus areas differ: protection vs. automation systems.

What are the most commonly searched types of Relay Protection Control Engineer jobs in Ashburn, VA?

The most popular types of Relay Protection Control Engineer jobs in Ashburn, VA are:

What are popular job titles related to Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer jobs in Ashburn, VA?

For Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer jobs in Ashburn, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer jobs in Ashburn, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer jobs in Ashburn, VA are:

Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer job openings in Ashburn, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,473 per year, or $48.8 per hour.

Control Engineer 1

M.C. Dean, Inc

Manassas, VA • On-site

$72K - $89K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

M.C. Dean rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

266th of 449 rated engineering

Job description

Overview
Your Future at M.C. Dean
We're seeking people driven to excellence and inspired to have a meaningful impact powering, automating, integrating, and securing the world's most critical infrastructure and facilities. This translates into fulfilling opportunities for employees driven to excel in a meaningful career. As an employee at M.C. Dean, you will join forces with more than 5,800 professionals who engineer and deploy automated, secure and resilient power and technology systems; and deliver the management platforms essential for long-term system sustainability. Together, we transform the way complex, large-scale systems are designed, delivered, and sustained-enhancing client outcomes, improving lives, and changing the world for the better.
Controls Engineers 1 are responsible for designing, developing, installing, and maintaining equipment used to monitor and control systems, machinery and processes. Controls Engineers work in various industries including industrial controls, water / wastewater, power controls and protection, and transportation systems. They're technical experts in areas such as advanced process control, instrumentation, distributed control systems, PLCs, and SCADA systems. Controls engineers use these skills to design and implement solutions to our customer's complex needs.
Responsibilities
Design / Engineering
  • Originates design documents for small projects and in support of large programs
    • Narrative Design Documents
    • Requirements Analysis
    • Subsystem Designs (CAD / Panels / Layouts / Wiring / SCADA Screens / Hardware / Communications)
    • Preparation of Specifications
    • Perform QA/QC and technical reviews of designs
    • Plans and Design Procedures and Fixtures for Integrated Systems Factory Testing
    • Comment Resolution
  • Testing / Troubleshooting / Deployment / Commissioning
    • Author testing / commissioning procedures
    • Preparation of test reports
    • Originates test procedures
    • Commissioning of deployed systems
    • Development of test fixtures and simulation devices
    • Perform Factory and Field Testing
  • Maintenance
    • Perform troubleshooting on service calls to existing and legacy system operators
    • Perform hardware / software upgrades and replacements on existing systems

Qualifications
Education / Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, automation engineering or related field with 0+ years of experience

Abilities
  • Exposure to computer screens for an extended period of time.
  • Sitting for extended periods of time.
  • Reach by extending hands or arms in any direction.
  • Have finger dexterity in order to manipulate objects with fingers rather than whole hands or arms, for example, using a keyboard.
  • Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Identify and understand the speech of another person.

Pay Range
USD $72,320.00 - USD $89,800.00 /Yr.

What M.C. Dean employees say

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Hours and flexibility

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About M.C. Dean

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence®. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most recognizable mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. The company's capabilities include electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life-safety, instrumentation and control, and command and control systems. M.C. Dean is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, and employs more than 5,100 professionals who engineer and deploy automated, secure, and resilient power and technology systems; and deliver the management platforms essential for long-term system sustainability.

Industry

Engineering professional services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Tysons, VA, US

Year founded

1949

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