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Lightning Protection Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Senior Electrical Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$122K - $160K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Mentor staff to perform professional and more complex electrical engineering work relating to the design of lighting, power, grounding, lightning protection, and signal systems in conformance with ...

Lead Electrical Designer

Reston, VA · On-site

$140K - $203K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Creating bill of materials and drawing installation details for the modelled items listed above in addition to grounding, lightning protection, support details, and other details using SmartSketch ...

Senior Electrical Engineer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$122K - $160K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Mentor staff to perform professional and more complex electrical engineering work relating to the design of lighting, power, grounding, lightning protection, and signal systems in conformance with ...

Lead Electrical Designer

Reston, VA

$140K - $203K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Creating bill of materials and drawing installation details for the modelled items listed above in addition to grounding, lightning protection, support details, and other details using SmartSketch ...

Senior Design Electrical Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

$108K - $141K/yr

Specify surge protection devices (SPDs) and lightning protection systems suitable for the high-lightning-incidence environment of PNG. Hazardous area classification * Produce, review, and sign off ...

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER, SR

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$104K - $135K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... processes, lightning protection systems; medical facility systems; audio visual systems; and site electrical distribution including medium-voltage distribution switchgear, substations, and ...

CLS Tree Trimmer

Suffolk, VA

$25 - $35/hr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Install cabling, bracing, and lightning protection systems in trees. * Assist crew members and serve as acting Crew Leader when required. * Identify major trees, shrubs, and poisonous plants in the ...

Showing results 21-40

Lightning Protection information

See Virginia salary details

$11

$61

$87

How much do lightning protection jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for lightning protection in Virginia is $61.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52.88 and $70.05 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is lightning protection?

A Lightning Protection job involves the installation, inspection, and maintenance of systems designed to protect buildings and structures from lightning strikes. This includes installing lightning rods, grounding systems, and surge protection devices to safely direct electrical discharges into the ground. Professionals in this field ensure compliance with safety standards and regulations to minimize fire hazards and structural damage. The job requires knowledge of electrical systems, construction techniques, and safety protocols.

What does a typical day look like for someone working in lightning protection?

A typical day in Lightning Protection often involves traveling to job sites to inspect, install, or maintain lightning protection systems on various types of buildings or structures. You may interpret design plans, coordinate with site managers, and use specialized tools and equipment to ensure all components are correctly installed according to safety and regulatory standards. Collaboration with electricians, project managers, and construction crews is common to address unique site requirements and resolve technical challenges. The work is usually hands-on and requires a commitment to safety and precision, with some documentation and reporting duties to track compliance and project progress.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in lightning protection, and why are they important?

To thrive in Lightning Protection, you need a solid understanding of electrical systems, construction practices, and safety protocols, often supported by relevant technical training or certification (such as LPI or UL certifications). Familiarity with industry-standard design software, installation tools, and various testing equipment is crucial. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and teamwork are desirable soft skills for this role. These competencies are essential for ensuring the safe and compliant design, installation, and maintenance of lightning protection systems across diverse environments.

How to get certified in lightning protection?

Lightning protection professionals can obtain certification through industry organizations such as the Lightning Protection Institute (LPI) or the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which offer training programs and exams. Certification typically requires completing approved training, gaining relevant work experience, and passing a written exam to demonstrate knowledge of safety standards, installation techniques, and codes. Maintaining certification may involve continuing education and periodic renewal.

What is a lightning protection job?

A lightning protection job involves installing, maintaining, and inspecting systems designed to protect buildings and structures from lightning strikes. Workers in this field often install lightning rods, grounding systems, and surge protectors, and may need certifications in electrical work and safety procedures. The job requires working at heights and in various weather conditions, emphasizing safety training and technical skills.

How much do lightning protection installers make?

Lightning protection installers typically earn a median annual wage of around $50,000 to $60,000, with experienced workers and those with specialized certifications earning higher salaries. The job often involves working outdoors, climbing structures, and using specialized tools, with some positions offering overtime pay or union benefits.

What are the most commonly searched types of Lightning Protection jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Lightning Protection jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Lightning Protection jobs in Virginia?

For Lightning Protection jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Lightning Protection jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Lightning Protection jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Lightning Protection jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Lightning Protection job openings:

Infographic showing various Lightning Protection job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Part Time. Highlights an 86% In-person, 7% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,073 per year, or $61.6 per hour.

Senior Electrical Engineer

WSP

Arlington, VA • On-site

$122K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago


WSP rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 69 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 72 rated business consultants


Job description


This Opportunity
WSP is currently initiating a search for a Senior Electrical Engineer with the potential to work out of Arlington, VA; Virginia Beach, VA; San Antonio, TX; Dallas, TX; Tacoma, WA; Seattle, WA or Denver, CO and be involved in projects with our Federal Programs Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges.
Your Impact
  • Work in a joint leadership capacity within a mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) discipline team providing design and technical advice in a senior engineering capacity on a wide range of projects.
  • Develop construction plans, specifications, cost estimates, and basis of design for facilities and infrastructure that require coordination with owners, other disciplines, sub-consultants, and clients.
  • Involved from project inception to completion in the design and construction of facility and infrastructure projects, including new and renovation work.
  • Coordinate with the Government, other disciplines, sub-consultants, and vendors in the execution of the design and construction oversight.
  • Assist with engineering review of permit applications, engineering design plans and specifications, standby plans and engineering contracts, and periodic construction inspections, to ensure that they comply with applicable state and/or federal regulations and sound engineering practice and standards.
  • Meet with various public or private entities or individuals to discuss issues relating to a variety of electrical/engineering/construction challenges and programs.
  • Using initiative, with minimal supervision, execute all technical aspects of your discipline or have specific specialist experience applicable to the role.
  • Work with the clients and planning team to define requirements, establish clear direction, and interpret the needs of the project as a whole to meet the full delivery needs.
  • Lead larger-scale electrical engineering projects and oversee electrical staff in the execution of the project. Supervise the completion of detailed designs and supervise the work of others in this function.
  • Travel to project sites, Government offices and equipment manufacturer facilities as required.
  • Mentor staff to perform professional and more complex electrical engineering work relating to the design of lighting, power, grounding, lightning protection, and signal systems in conformance with applicable rules, standards, and construction or operating permits.
  • Incorporate and promote future-ready techniques, concept development, operating strategies, and various design requirements/strategies that account for the safety and functionality of end-users, systems, and infrastructure.
  • Manage senior, junior and entry-level electrical engineers and designers with research and recommendations of components identified in design requirements, as well as field equipment applications and operations.
  • Collaborate with professionals from a variety of disciplines, other engineers, planners, and infrastructure authorities within and external to WSP on Federal, State, regional, and locally funded facility and infrastructure projects as well as proposal and business development opportunities.
  • Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and adhere to WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
  • Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from ABET accredited college or university, or equivalent.
  • 10+ years of relevant post education experience as an electrical engineer providing design deliverables for small, medium, and large capital projects.
  • Professional Engineering registration.
  • Due to client requirements, US citizenship is required.
  • Strong knowledge of relevant engineering and electrical construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
  • Expert knowledge of NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, and NFPA 780 Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems.
  • Revit and AutoCAD proficiency.
  • SKM Power Tools for Windows, Easy Power, and/or ETAP proficiency.
  • Agi32 or Elum proficiency.
  • SpecsIntact or MasterSpec proficiency.
  • RS Means Costworks proficiency.
  • MS Word, Excel, Power Point, and Project proficiency.
  • Experience with planning and conducting inspections and investigations on various aspects of the construction and design of facilities or structures, applying applicable regulations and policies.
  • Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing intricate ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
  • Strong self-leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively, persuasively, and tactfully interact with clients, regulators, project managers, and employees at all levels of the organization.
  • Works independently to provide guidance and leadership to junior to mid-level team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
  • Proficiency with technical writing, office automation, technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.
  • Experienced with providing critical review for documents and preparing technical deliverables and plans with a high degree of complexity.
  • Well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, computations, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
  • Demonstrated effectiveness at coordinating and assertively directing subcontractors and others to consistently complete tasks safely and efficiently.
  • Must be flexible to a variety of schedules to meet business needs and able to prioritize responsibilities and quickly adapt to change in a pressure work environment.
  • Experience working with Operations and project controls for purposes of reporting and proposal development.
  • Proficient knowledge of electrical engineering principles, practices, process, design-bid-build, design-build, and the application to permitting and project work-related issues
  • Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP's health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
  • Travel up to 25% may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Current security clearance or ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
  • Ability to manage electrical department workload, identify staffing needs and assign project resources.
  • Experience in medium voltage distribution design from substation to building service transformer.
  • Experience in Airfield Lighting or Maritime Shore Power Systems design.
  • Experience in roadway lighting design.
  • Experience in Life Cycle Cost Analysis for Renewable Energy Systems using NIST BLCC 5.
  • Experience in Energy Audits for Lighting and Electrical Systems.
  • Experience in SCIF and TEMPEST facility design applying ICD/ICS 705 and NSA 94-106 requirements.
  • Experience in photovoltaic system design.
  • Experience in generator and small power plant design.
  • Experience in UPS and battery system design.
  • Preferred location is Arlington, VA

WSP Benefits:
WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee's career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.
Compensation:
Expected Salary (all locations): $125,900 - 213,200
WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant's sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.
Expected Salary (Colorado only): $134,700 - $200,100
WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and/or offer for this position within the state of Colorado, based on the successful applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant's sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.
#LI-AW1
About Us
About WSP
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.
www.wsp.com
WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee's career.
At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:
WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation - no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.

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