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Power System Protection Engineer Jobs in California

HDR

System Protection and Studies Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

HDR Engineering is looking for a System Protection and Studies (SPS) Project Engineer to join our growing and nationally ranked team of Power Delivery professionals. The primary duties of the SPS ...

347 Group, Inc.

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Power Systems Engineer - Onsite

Irvine, CA · On-site

$93K - $132K/yr

Knowledgeable with electrical power system analysis, electrical system planning, protective device ... Professional Engineer (PE) license. * Knowledgeable with power system analysis software: CAPE ...

USAJOBS - Search

Power System Dispatcher

Folsom, CA

$117K/yr

As a Power System Dispatcher, you will be responsible for the real-time operations of Bulk Power ... Required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Arc Rated protected clothing when in ...

ETAP

Power Systems Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

Power System Engineer Job Location: Irvine, CA Job Type: Full-time / Hybrid Position Summary ETAP ... Perform power flow, short circuit analysis and protection & coordination to evaluate system impacts

Aveva

Power Systems Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

Power System Engineer Job Location: Irvine, CA Job Type: Full-time / Hybrid Position Summary ETAP ... Perform power flow, short circuit analysis and protection & coordination to evaluate system impacts

Aveva

Senior Power System Engineer

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

$112K - $153K/yr

Senior Power System Engineer Location: Irvine, CA Job type: Full-time / Hybrid Position Summary The ... Minimum 5 years of experience in power system studies such as load flow, short-circuit, protection ...

ETAP

Senior Power System Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$112K - $153K/yr

Senior Power System Engineer Location: Irvine, CA Job type: Full-time / Hybrid Position Summary The ... Minimum 5 years of experience in power system studies such as load flow, short-circuit, protection ...

ETAP

Power Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

Power System Engineer Job Location: Irvine, CA Job Type: Full-time / Hybrid Position Summary ETAP ... Perform power flow, short circuit analysis and protection & coordination to evaluate system impacts

City of Ukiah

Power Engineer

Ukiah, CA · On-site

$102K - $130K/yr

Perform system protection and coordination studies and review system protection equipment settings ... and power engineering. Assists in the preparation of the capital improvement plans and budget.

Terabase Energy

Power Systems Engineer

Berkeley, CA · Hybrid

The Engineer will be the primary driver of power system modeling, simulation, and controls analysis ... Support hardware-in-the-loop and controller-in-the-loop testing for protection, plant control, EMS ...

Aveva

Power Engineer

Irvine, CA

Power System Engineer Job Location: Irvine, CA Job Type: Full-time / Hybrid Position Summary ETAP ... Perform power flow, short circuit analysis and protection & coordination to evaluate system impacts

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsPower System Protection Engineer JobsPower System Protection Engineer Jobs in California

Power System Protection Engineer information

See California salary details

$55.3K

$116.2K

$177.1K

How much do power system protection engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for power system protection engineer in California is $116,160.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $96,700.00 and $132,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Power System Protection Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Power System Protection Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, power systems analysis, and relay coordination, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as ETAP, SEL AcSELerator, and knowledge of IEC and IEEE standards is crucial, along with relevant certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) licensure. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help engineers excel in diagnosing issues and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These skills are important to ensure reliable and safe operation of electrical grids, prevent outages, and maintain system integrity.

What are the most common challenges faced by Power System Protection Engineers in utility environments?

Power System Protection Engineers often encounter challenges such as integrating new protection technologies with existing infrastructure, managing the complexity of coordinating protection settings across multiple substations, and ensuring system reliability during maintenance or upgrades. They must also stay current with evolving industry standards and cybersecurity requirements. Collaboration with operations, maintenance, and IT teams is essential to address these challenges and maintain the integrity and safety of the power grid.

What is the difference between Power System Protection Engineer vs Power System Engineer?

AspectPower System Protection EngineerPower System Engineer
CertificationsPE, IEEE, or equivalentPE, IEEE, or equivalent
Work EnvironmentFocus on protection schemes, relay settings, and fault analysisDesign, analyze, and operate power systems broadly
Industry UsageSpecialized in protection systems within utilities and industrial plantsBroader power system design and operation roles

Power System Protection Engineers specialize in designing and maintaining protection schemes to ensure system safety, while Power System Engineers work on overall system design, analysis, and operation. Both roles require similar credentials and often work within the same industry, but their focus areas differ significantly.

What does a Power System Protection Engineer do?

A Power System Protection Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining systems that protect electrical power grids from faults and failures. Their work ensures the safe and reliable operation of electrical networks by detecting abnormal conditions, such as short circuits or overloads, and triggering protective devices like circuit breakers. They also analyze system performance, develop protection schemes, and coordinate with other engineers to minimize service disruptions. This role is crucial for preventing equipment damage, reducing downtime, and ensuring safety for both personnel and the public.
What are popular job titles related to Power System Protection Engineer jobs in California? For Power System Protection Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Power System Protection Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Power System Protection Engineer jobs in California are:
Power System Protection Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Power System Protection Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 81% In-person, 5% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,160 per year, or $55.8 per hour.
System Protection and Studies Engineer

System Protection and Studies Engineer

HDR

Irvine, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 6 days ago

HDR rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 55 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

20th of 357 rated engineering

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

HDR Engineering is looking for a System Protection and Studies (SPS) Project Engineer to join our growing and nationally ranked team of Power Delivery professionals.

The primary duties of the SPS Engineer position are to perform engineering tasks with varying levels of complexity, which are assigned by a Lead Project Engineer, Engineering Manager, or Project Manager.

In the role of System Protection and Studies, we'll count on you to:

  • Perform protective relay calculations and determine appropriate relay set points.
  • Perform protective relay coordination studies utilizing short-circuit modeling software.
  • Develop relay setting files utilizing relay vendor software.
  • Produce relay coordination compliance reports for applicable NERC-PRC standards.
  • Develop SCADA point list.
  • Produce communication settings for protective relays.
  • Produce required client protective relay reports.
  • Provide protective relay construction support.
  • Provide P&C support with scheme development and design reviews.
  • Work under the direct supervision of a Senior Engineer, APM, or PM.
  • Work independently on tasks and may assist senior engineers on larger, more complex projects.
  • Some travel may be required.
  • Work with assistance from Project Engineers, other Electrical EITs or Technicians as needed
  • Coordinate with other substation design disciplines (i.e., P&C design teams)
  • Perform other duties as needed

#LI-JF1
Keywords: Systems Protection and Studies Engineer, substation, SCADA, electrical engineering, electrical engineer, power system analysis

  • Master's degree in Electrical Engineering with an Electrical/Power emphasis.
  • California Professional Engineer (PE) license
  • 4 years of experience doing electrical power system analysis, electrical system planning, protective device application, settings, and substation design is highly preferred.
  • Preference will be given to candidates local to the Irvine, CA area.
  • Previous experience with an architectural/engineering or engineering consulting firm
  • Prior experience consulting or working for an electric utility is considered a plus.
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering
  • Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license
  • Previous experience in project execution within the Power Market Sector.
  • Computer skills in Microsoft Office as well as standard Power Market Sector design software. (examples include PLS CAD, AutoCAD, Plant 3D, AutoPipe, and Revit)
  • An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture

What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

What HDR employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About HDR

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At HDR, we specialize in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. While we are most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high-performance buildings and smart infrastructure, we provide much more than that. We create an unshakable foundation for progress because our multidisciplinary teams also include scientists, economists, builders, analysts and artists.

Industry

Specialized design services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Omaha, NE, US

Year founded

1917

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