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Protection And Control Engineer Jobs in Tennessee

Lead Protection Engineer

Nashville, TN

$99K - $130K/yr

Design Review - Provide redline markups for protection and control drawings as necessary pertaining to protection systems * Leadership of projects and direction of subordinate engineers assigned to ...

Lead Protection Engineer

Nashville, TN

$99K - $130K/yr

Design Review - Provide redline markups for protection and control drawings as necessary pertaining to protection systems * Leadership of projects and direction of subordinate engineers assigned to ...

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Showing results 1-20

Protection And Control Engineer information

See Tennessee salary details

$61.3K

$107.1K

$167K

How much do protection and control engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for protection and control engineer in Tennessee is $107,138.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,000.00 and $118,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Protection And Control Engineer vs Relay Technician?

AspectProtection And Control EngineerRelay Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in electrical engineering, relevant certificationsTechnical diploma or associate degree, specialized relay training
Work EnvironmentDesign, testing, and commissioning of protection systems in substations and power plantsInstallation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of relays on-site
Industry UsageUsed by utilities, power generation companies, and industrial plantsPrimarily employed by utilities and maintenance contractors
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles, qualifications, and responsibilities of protection engineersTechnical repair and maintenance of relays and protection devices

Protection And Control Engineers focus on designing, testing, and overseeing protection systems in power networks, requiring higher-level engineering credentials. Relay Technicians handle installation and maintenance of relays, often with technical diplomas. Both roles are essential in power systems but differ in scope, responsibilities, and qualifications.

How does a Protection and Control Engineer typically collaborate with other teams during a power system project?

Protection and Control Engineers work closely with various teams such as design, commissioning, operations, and maintenance throughout a project. They coordinate with design teams to ensure protection schemes align with system requirements, communicate with field engineers during installation and commissioning to address technical challenges, and collaborate with operations staff to resolve protection issues post-deployment. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as these engineers often bridge the gap between theoretical design and practical implementation.

What are Protection and Control Engineers?

Protection and Control Engineers are specialized electrical engineers who design, implement, and maintain systems that protect electrical power grids and equipment from faults and failures. They develop relaying schemes, coordinate protection devices, and ensure the safe and reliable operation of substations and transmission lines. Their work helps prevent equipment damage, minimize power outages, and maintain the safety of utility workers and the public. Protection and Control Engineers often use advanced software tools for system analysis and relay settings, and they play a crucial role in integrating renewable energy sources into the grid.

What is a protection and Control Engineer?

A Protection and Control Engineer designs, implements, and maintains systems that safeguard electrical power systems from faults and abnormal conditions. They work with relays, circuit breakers, and control schemes to ensure system reliability and safety, often using specialized software and adhering to industry standards. This role requires technical knowledge of electrical systems and troubleshooting skills.

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

To thrive as a Protection and Control Engineer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering principles, power systems, and typically a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with industry standards, relay coordination software (like SEL, GE, or ABB), SCADA systems, and relevant certifications such as Professional Engineer (PE) licensure are commonly required. Effective problem-solving, attention to detail, and strong communication skills set outstanding engineers apart in this field. These competencies are essential for ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of electrical power systems in utility and industrial environments.

Can you make $500,000 as an electrical engineer?

Protection and Control Engineers, a specialized role within electrical engineering, typically earn salaries ranging from $70,000 to $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Earning $500,000 is uncommon and usually requires senior positions, extensive experience, management responsibilities, or working in high-paying sectors such as energy or consulting firms. Achieving such a high income may also involve bonuses, profit sharing, or advanced certifications.

What is the highest salary for a QC engineer?

A Protection and Control Engineer's salary varies based on experience, location, and industry, but senior roles in the field can reach salaries of $100,000 or more annually. High-level positions often require specialized knowledge of electrical systems, protective relays, and control schemes, along with relevant certifications. Compensation also depends on the complexity of projects and the size of the employing organization.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Protection and Control Engineers typically do not earn $500,000 annually; such high salaries are more common in executive or specialized roles within the energy or utility sectors. Senior engineers with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership responsibilities may approach high six-figure incomes, but reaching $500,000 is rare for this specific engineering role.
What job categories do people searching Protection And Control Engineer jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Protection And Control Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Protection And Control Engineer jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Protection And Control Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Protection And Control Engineer job openings in Tennessee as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $107,138 per year, or $51.5 per hour.
Project Engineer - Substation

Project Engineer - Substation

Quanta Services

Chattanooga, TN

$89K - $114K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago


Quanta Services rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 51 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

42nd of 78 rated construction


Job description

QISG leverages Quanta’s comprehensive resources to deliver collaborative solutions for our partners' energy infrastructure needs. We use in-house talent, expertise and resources to plan, design, engineer, manage, conduct maintenance on and construct projects.


Our turnkey service capabilities provide our customers with efficiency, consistency, attention to detail and safe execution. The QISG team brings together Engineering, Safety, Quality, Material Procurement, QA/QC, Right-of-Way Acquisition, Scheduling, Environmental Planning, Permitting, Title and Land Management expertise that ensure outstanding results for our clients.


Project Engineer – Substation

Every moment of every day, people all over the world rely on electricity provided by Quanta Services and its customers. With its highly skilled and innovative workforce, Quanta is the largest specialty contractor in North America that powers modern life. Find your future with us by being a part of something bigger – leading the energy transition in building a better world for generations to come.

Imagine what you could do here. We encourage and inspire our people to embrace opportunities within our corporate office and 200 operating companies providing solutions for the utility, renewable energy, electric power, industrial, and communications industries worldwide.

Quanta’s culture is about creating an environment where all employees can be themselves, are valued, and have an equal opportunity to succeed. When you join our team, you join a dynamic culture in which career development is encouraged, excellence is rewarded, and diversity is valued.

 

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Project Engineer - Substation will oversee the design of high voltage substation projects. This role will involve providing an oversight role for the design team to perform the detailed design.  It will also include performing engineering to support EPC proposals.  The ideal candidate will have a strong background in engineering, with extensive experience in high voltage substation projects.  This position will report to a Supervising Engineer or Engineering Manager and be part of a substation design team with other engineers, designers, and drafters supporting substation projects across the QISG platform. There are three bands to this title; an employee moves up in band as they gain experience and demonstrate mastery of new skills.


  • Oversee projects from inception to completion, including planning, design, construction support, and closeout. 
  • Review engineering calculations, drawings, and specifications for electrical substations.
  • Ensure projects are on budget and schedule while ensuring cost-effective solutions. 
  • Review projects to verify compliance with QISG and utility specifications and standards, including environmental and safety requirements. 
  • Oversee quality control procedures to ensure the highest standards of workmanship and materials. 
  • Prepare and maintain detailed project status reports, engineering documentation, and records. 
  • Take personal responsibility for the quality and accuracy of your projects.
  • Design physical substation components, including yard layouts, grounding, lightning protection, control building arrangements, raceways, and auxiliary AC/DC power systems.
  • Develop protection and control schematics, wiring diagrams, cable lists and panel layouts.
  • Develop design drawings, calculations, and bills of material from engineering documents for planning, construction, operation, and maintenance.
  • Conduct engineering calculations, including voltage drop, cable pulling, flicker analysis, and grounding analysis.
  • Ensure project team applies engineering standards including NEC, NESC, NEMA, IEEE and ANSI.
  • Perform quality reviews to check for inaccuracies, omissions, or compliance issues, and provide recommendations.
  • Work collaboratively with engineers and project teams to develop solutions and modifications as needed.
  • Maintain detailed project documentation and support engineering calculations.
  • Bring potential project-related problems and possible solutions to the attention of the stakeholders.
  • Travel out of town for short periods of time as required by projects and assignments.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

  • Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, or civil engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
  • P.E. license is required.
  • Understanding of the major components of a substation is required.
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in the electric utility industry performing detailed engineering for high voltage substation projects.
  • Strong technical expertise in structural, civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering, with a comprehensive understanding of engineering principles and practices.
  • Expert knowledge of electric utility engineering and construction standards.
  • Strong understanding of industry specific software packages.
  • Familiarity with processes and procedures for project controls and estimates.
  • Demonstrated experience supporting external customers.
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams, clients, and external partners.
  • Knowledge of relevant industry codes, standards, and regulations, including ANSI, ASTM, ACI, AISC, IEEE, NEC, NESC, and others.
  • Ability to work in a team environment
  • Able to deal with ambiguity and ability to work independently, manage multiple tasks and determine priorities in a complex environment.

  • Competitive Compensation
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Holiday Pay
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Comprehensive Health Coverage
  • Pet Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Professional Development
  • Tuition Assistance
  • Employee Discount Program

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity), age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and/or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
We prohibit all types of discrimination and are committed to providing access and equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. For additional information or if reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application, interview, or hiring processes or to perform the essential functions of a position, please contact us the Company’s Human Resources department.


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