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Protection And Control Engineer Jobs in Washington

Control Engineer 1

Tysons, VA · On-site

$84.40K - $109.20K/yr

... and protection, and transportation systems. They're technical experts in areas such as advanced ... control systems, PLCs, and SCADA systems. Controls engineers use these skills to design and ...

Control Engineer 1

Manassas, VA · On-site

$83.50K - $108K/yr

... and protection, and transportation systems. They're technical experts in areas such as advanced ... control systems, PLCs, and SCADA systems. Controls engineers use these skills to design and ...

HUGHESVILLE FULL TIME Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, Inc. - SMECO Electrical System Protection and Control Engineer Company Description Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SMECO ...

Control Engineer 3 - Manassas, VA

Manassas, VA · On-site

$83.50K - $108K/yr

... and protection, and transportation systems. They're technical experts in areas such as advanced ... control systems, PLCs, and SCADA systems. Controls engineers use these skills to design and ...

The T&S (Transmission & Substation) Regional Engineering team at one of our largest utility clients ... Experience designing protection & control facilities for substations, including protective relaying ...

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Showing results 1-20

Protection And Control Engineer information

See Washington salary details

$76.5K

$133.7K

$208.4K

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

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for protection and control engineer in Washington is $133,696.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $116,100.00 and $147,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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.

What job categories do people searching Protection And Control Engineer jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Protection And Control Engineer jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Protection And Control Engineer jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Protection And Control Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Protection And Control Engineer job openings in Washington as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 70% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 29% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,696 per year, or $64.3 per hour.
Control Engineer 1

Control Engineer 1

M.C. Dean, Inc

Tysons, VA • On-site

$84.40K - $109.20K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


M.C. Dean rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 42 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

221st of 350 rated engineering


Job description

Overview
About M.C. Dean
M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. With over 7,000 employees, our capabilities span electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life safety, automation and controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers resilient, secure, and innovative power and technology solutions through engineering expertise and smart systems integration.
Why Join Us?
Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful change. Guided by our core values-agility, expertise, and trust-we foster a collaborative and forward-thinking work environment. At M.C. Dean, we are committed to building the next generation of technical leaders in electrical, engineering, and cybersecurity industries.
Controls Engineers 1 are responsible for designing, developing, installing, and maintaining equipment used to monitor and control systems, machinery and processes. Controls Engineers work in various industries including industrial controls, water / wastewater, power controls and protection, and transportation systems. They're technical experts in areas such as advanced process control, instrumentation, distributed control systems, PLCs, and SCADA systems. Controls engineers use these skills to design and implement solutions to our customer's complex needs.
Responsibilities
Design / Engineering
  • Originates design documents for small projects and in support of large programs
    • Narrative Design Documents
    • Requirements Analysis
    • Subsystem Designs (CAD / Panels / Layouts / Wiring / SCADA Screens / Hardware / Communications)
    • Preparation of Specifications
    • Perform QA/QC and technical reviews of designs
    • Plans and Design Procedures and Fixtures for Integrated Systems Factory Testing
    • Comment Resolution
  • Testing / Troubleshooting / Deployment / Commissioning
    • Author testing / commissioning procedures
    • Preparation of test reports
    • Originates test procedures
    • Commissioning of deployed systems
    • Development of test fixtures and simulation devices
    • Perform Factory and Field Testing
  • Maintenance
    • Perform troubleshooting on service calls to existing and legacy system operators
    • Perform hardware / software upgrades and replacements on existing systems

Qualifications
Education / Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, automation engineering or related field with 0+ years of experience

Abilities
  • Exposure to computer screens for an extended period of time.
  • Sitting for extended periods of time.
  • Reach by extending hands or arms in any direction.
  • Have finger dexterity in order to manipulate objects with fingers rather than whole hands or arms, for example, using a keyboard.
  • Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Identify and understand the speech of another person.

What M.C. Dean employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

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M.C. Dean logo

About M.C. Dean

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

M.C. Dean is Building Intelligence®. We design, build, operate, and maintain cyber-physical solutions for the nation's most recognizable mission-critical facilities, secure environments, complex infrastructure, and global enterprises. The company's capabilities include electrical, electronic security, telecommunications, life-safety, instrumentation and control, and command and control systems. M.C. Dean is headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, and employs more than 5,100 professionals who engineer and deploy automated, secure, and resilient power and technology systems; and deliver the management platforms essential for long-term system sustainability.

Industry

Engineering professional services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Tysons, VA, US

Year founded

1949

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