1

Power System Protection Engineer Jobs in California

The Role As a Power Systems Engineer at K2, you'll develop and test the high-fidelity electrical ... Develop SPICE representations and models to evaluate power system parasitics, like battery ...

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 ...

Fire Protection Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$89K - $120K/yr

In the process, we are restoring America's ability to produce nuclear fuel to power AI, advanced ... Manage life safety and fire protection system inspection, testing, and maintenance programs.

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 ...

Fire Protection Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$89K - $120K/yr

In the process, we are restoring America's ability to produce nuclear fuel to power AI, advanced ... Manage life safety and fire protection system inspection, testing, and maintenance programs.

Senior Power System Engineer

Irvine, CA

$115K - $150K/yr

Senior Power System Engineer Job location: Irvine, CA Job type: Full-time / Hybrid Overview ETAP, a member of Schneider Electrical Energy Management Software Division, is seeking a senior power ...

Power Systems Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$140K - $195K/yr

Provide power system expertise during system integration and performance testing Required Skills ... S. legal permanent resident status, or protected person status under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3) is ...

Power Systems Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$140K - $195K/yr

Provide power system expertise during system integration and performance testing Required Skills ... S. legal permanent resident status, or protected person status under 8 U.S.C. A 1324b(a)(3) is ...

Senior Power System Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$115K - $150K/yr

Senior Power System Engineer Job location: Irvine, CA Job type: Full-time / Hybrid Overview ETAP, a member of Schneider Electrical Energy Management Software Division, is seeking a senior power ...

Provide power system expertise during system integration and performance testing Required Skills ... S. legal permanent resident status, or protected person status under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3) is ...

Perform power system engineering assessments of electric power systems in the areas of proficiency of protection device coordination, short-circuit calculation, arc-flash hazard analysis, design ...

We tackle complex engineering design challenges through creativity, precision and cross-functional ... We are seeking a dedicated Power System Engineering Program manager to drive the development of ...

Develop SPICE representations and models to evaluate power system parasitics, like battery ... S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected ...

Position Description Fire Protection Engineers at Oklo are responsible for the design and development of the fire protection systems in Oklo's power plants. Specific responsibilities may include:

Power Systems Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

Develop SPICE representations and models to evaluate power system parasitics, like battery ... S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders), and certain protected ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

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 Jul 24, 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 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:
Infographic showing various Power System Protection Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,160 per year, or $55.8 per hour.
Power Systems Engineer

Power Systems Engineer

K2 Space

Los Angeles, CA

$100K - $150K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 2 days ago


Job description

The Role

As a Power Systems Engineer at K2, you'll develop and test the high-fidelity electrical system models that ensure our high voltage, high power system behaves predictably and reliably. In this role you'll dive deep into the first principles of power systems, from creating full-fidelity SPICE models of power system parasitics and dynamics to validating and tuning these models against reality. Your work will guide key architectural decisions: how power flows through the spacecraft, how faults are isolated, how filters are sized for EMI compatibility, and how the system operates reliably through worst-case faults.  If you enjoy handson investigation, and you want to influence the core architecture of nextgeneration spacecraft power systems, this is the place to be.

 
Responsibilities 

  • Develop SPICE representations and models to evaluate power system parasitics, like battery impedance, harness reactance, and filters 
  • Plan and execute test campaigns to validate these models against reality 
  • Code high-fidelity simulations of in-flight power and energy budgets  

Qualifications 

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline 
  • 1+ years working in Avionics Systems, Electrical Power Systems, Electrical Hardware Design, or similar role 
  • Strong grasp of circuit and basic energy/power balance fundamentals 

Nice to Have 

  • Strong capability to independently reason through designing for fault tolerance and reliability 
  • Familiarity with failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) 
  • Experience working with LTSpice or similar SPICE simulator 
  • Experience writing software in Python, Rust or other language for test automation 
  • Ability to perform impedance measurements and loop gain measurements 
  • Experience constructing representative circuit models of electrical hardware system components, like batteries and harnesses 

Compensation and Benefits: 

  • Base salary range for this role is $100,000 - $150,000 + equity in the company 
  • Salary will be based on several factors including, but not limited to: knowledge and skills, education, and experience level 
  • Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, life insurance, paid parental leave, and many other perks 

K2 Space logo

About K2 Space

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Los Angeles, CA, US

Year founded

2022