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Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer Jobs in Phoenix, AZ

Designer I

Phoenix, AZ ยท On-site

$32 - $37/hr

We are seeking a detail-oriented Electrical Designer to support the design and development of Electrical Relay Protection and control systems. As a Designer in Engineering Services, you'll provide ...

We are seeking a detail-oriented Electrical Designer to support the design and development of Electrical Relay Protection and control systems. As a Designer in Engineering Services, you'll provide ...

Designer I

Phoenix, AZ ยท On-site

$32 - $37/hr

We are seeking a detail-oriented Electrical Designer to support the design and development of Electrical Relay Protection and control systems. As a Designer in Engineering Services, you'll provide ...

Senior Engineer - Relay Settings

Phoenix, AZ

$103K - $142K/yr

Experience in protection and control engineering and relay settings. * Experience with ASPEN ... Professional Engineering registration or plan to become registered. * Professional Engineering ...

Senior Engineer - Relay Settings

Phoenix, AZ ยท On-site +1

$103K - $142K/yr

Experience in protection and control engineering and relay settings. * Experience with ASPEN ... Professional Engineering registration or plan to become registered. * Professional Engineering ...

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Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer information

See Phoenix, AZ salary details

$14

$47

$131

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

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance relay protection control engineer in Phoenix, AZ is $47.37, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.09 and $61.35 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 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 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer, and why are they important?

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 popular job titles related to Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer jobs in Phoenix, AZ? For Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer jobs in Phoenix, AZ, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer jobs in Phoenix, AZ look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Relay Protection Control Engineer jobs in Phoenix, AZ are:

Protection & Control Engineer

ECNS Global Consultants PLLC

Mesa, AZ โ€ข On-site

$65K - $185K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

New


Job description

Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Competitive salary
  • Dental insurance
  • Health insurance
  • Opportunity for advancement
  • Paid time off
  • Training & development
  • Vision insurance
  • Wellness resources

Job Title: Protection & Control Engineer I, II, III
Employment Type: Full-Time, Salary-Exempt (40 hours/week) 
Location: AZ, MO, IA, TX, NV, OK, NE, TN 
Travel: Remote with project travel between 5-30%   
Department: Engineering 
Reports To: V.P. of Engineering 
Compensation: $65,000-185,000/year, Exempt supplemental pay for additional hours 

About Us
 
ECNS Global Consultants, PLLC is a specialized engineering and consulting firm serving the energy and utilities industry. The company provides electrical engineering, controls, cybersecurity, commissioning, testing, quality inspections, and construction management services, supporting projects from concept through completion. With a focus on safety, quality, compliance, and innovation, ECNS delivers reliable solutions for complex infrastructure projects. 
Position Summary 
As a Protection & Control Engineer, you will design, implement, test, and maintain protection and control systems that ensure the safe and reliable operation of electrical power systems. Using expertise in relay protection, coordination, and power system analysis, you will develop solutions that improve system reliability, enhance performance, and protect critical power infrastructure. 

Key Responsibilities
 
  • Perform and support protection and control engineering activities, including relay settings, coordination studies, fault analysis, and power system studies. 
  • Develop, review, and maintain engineering calculations, drawings, reports, relay settings files, and technical documentation. 
  • Design, configure, test, and troubleshoot protective relays, SCADA systems, RTUs, communications networks, and automation systems. 
  • Support or lead commissioning, startup, FAT, SAT, outage support, and field implementation activities. 
  • Apply industry and utility standards, including IEEE, ANSI, NERC, and applicable protection and control practices. 
  • Support the design, operation, and maintenance of transmission, distribution, and substation protection systems. 
  • Perform relay event analysis, system investigations, and technical problem-solving to ensure reliable system performance. 
  • Coordinate with project teams, operations, contractors, vendors, and clients to deliver engineering solutions and project objectives. 
  • Support or lead technical reviews, QA/QC activities, project planning, and engineering deliverables. 
  • Protection & Control Engineer III: Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and technicians, commensurate with experience level. 
Qualifications 
Education 
  • Bachelor's Degree (B.S.) or Master's Degree (M.S.) in electrical engineering from a college/university accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET)   
Experience 
Protection & Control Engineer I 
  • 1–3 years of related experience preferred. 
Protection & Control Engineer II 
  • 3+ years of engineering experience. 
  • FE certification preferred. 
Protection & Control Engineer III 
  • 7+ years of engineering experience. 
  • PE license preferred. 
Additional Requirements 
  • Experience with protection and control systems for utility or industrial power systems. 
  • Knowledge of IEEE, IEC, ANSI, NESC, and related industry standards. 
  • Valid driver's license and willingness to travel as needed. 
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred but not required.  
Physical Requirements 
  • Ability to sit, stand, or walk for extended periods. 
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally. 
  • Ability to bend, crouch, climb, and work at various heights. 
  • Required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as needed. 
  • 5-30% annual travel for team meetings and business needs.  
  • Ability to work effectively in a fully remote environment. 
Benefits 
As a full-time employee, you are eligible to participate in ECNS’s benefits program. Subject to plan terms and eligibility requirements. 
  • Competitive compensation 
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage 
  • 401(k) with company match 
  • Generous PTO and paid holidays 
  • Professional development opportunities 
  • Employee wellness programs 
Core Values 
Mission and Vision: ECNS aims to deliver engineering excellence and innovate for a sustainable future using advanced technologies and eco-friendly practices.  
Integrity and Trust: Integrity fosters transparency and ethical standards, building trust among clients and team members in all dealings.  
Collaboration Across Teams: Effective collaboration across diverse teams ensures projects benefit from collective expertise and shared goals.  
Innovation for Future Readiness: Innovation drives the development of future-ready solutions and keeps ECNS ahead of industry trends 

Disclaimers
 
This job description is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, and responsibilities associated with this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice. 
Equal Opportunity Employer: We do not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, marital/familial status, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or other protected class. 

Flexible work from home options available.