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Power System Protection Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Aveva

Power Engineer

Irvine, CA

Electrical Power Engineer - Protection Division Location: Irvine, CA Work Type: Full Time/ Hybrid About ETAP ETAP is the world's leading provider of power system modeling, analysis, and real-time ...

ETAP

Power Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

Electrical Power Engineer - Protection Division Location: Irvine, CA Work Type: Full Time/ Hybrid About ETAP ETAP is the world's leading provider of power system modeling, analysis, and real-time ...

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$56K

$117.7K

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

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for power system protection engineer in the United States is $117,702.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,000.00 and $134,000.00 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 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 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.

More about Power System Protection Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Power System Protection Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Power System Protection Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Power System Protection Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Power System Protection Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Power System Protection Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Power System Protection Engineer jobs are:
Power System Protection Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Power System Protection Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $117,702 per year, or $56.6 per hour.

Power Engineer

Aveva

Irvine, CA

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

ETAP empowers customers to make informed decisions throughout the life cycle of their projects with innovative software solutions for electrical systems. By applying ETAP solutions, customers experience continuous intelligence during design and engineering and into operations and maintenance using a unified electrical digital twin platform. ETAP supports customers in their digital transformation and sustainable energy transitions for a green and smart future, helping them to prioritize safety, maximize reliability, and stay resilient.

Our employees' passion for excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction is our most-prized resource. If you share that passion - and want to be part of a company that leads the energy transition towards a cleaner and more resilient world for future generations - we invite you to join us!

ETAP is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Job Title: Electrical Power Engineer - Protection Division

Location: Irvine, CA

Work Type: Full Time/ Hybrid

About ETAP
ETAP is the world's leading provider of power system modeling, analysis, and real-time simulation software. With a global footprint and a strong focus on innovation, ETAP delivers advanced engineering solutions and services to clients across a wide range of industries.

The Protection Division at ETAP is seeking a motivated, disciplined, and growth-oriented Electrical Power Engineer to join our team. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of power system protection engineering and advanced software development in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Job Summary

The Electrical Power Engineer will support the Protection Division by contributing to power system protection and coordination studies, software development, testing, and customer support activities. The position requires strong analytical skills, sound engineering judgment, and a passion for power system protection.

Key Responsibilities
  • Contribute to the innovation, enhancement, and continuous improvement of ETAP software and related documentation
  • Test existing and newly developed software features using sound engineering judgment and industry best practices
  • Develop, validate, and maintain protective device models to support ETAP applications
  • Provide technical support and product training to clients and internal teams
  • Assist with power system protection and coordination studies for assigned projects
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited college or university (Master's degree preferred)
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment
  • Strong mathematical, analytical, and problem-solving skills
  • U.S. Citizenship or permanent residency/work authorization
Preferred Qualifications
  • Relevant coursework, internship, or hands-on experience in electrical power systems
  • Passed Fundamentals of Engineering (FE/EIT) or Professional Engineer (PE) exam
  • Familiarity with power system studies, including protection and coordination
  • Experience with ETAP software is highly desirable
Salary Range:
65,000.00 - 108,000.00 USD Annual
This pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation that the position offers, and final compensation can vary within the range depending on work location, job experience, skills, and relevant educational attainment and/or training.

ETAP requires all successful applicants to undergo and pass a comprehensive background check before they start employment. Background checks will be conducted in accordance with local laws and may, subject to those laws, include proof of educational attainment, employment history verification, proof of work authorization, criminal records, identity verification, credit check. Certain positions dealing with sensitive and/or third party personal data may involve additional background check criteria.

ETAP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to being an exemplary employer with an inclusive culture, developing a workplace environment where all our employees are treated with dignity and respect. We value diversity and the expertise that people from different backgrounds bring to our business.

Come and join ETAP to create the transformative technology that enables our customers to engineer a better world.

Apply