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Protection And Control Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Principal Substation Electrical Engineer

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$143K - $175K/yr

Coordinate closely with civil, structural, protection & control, system planning and studies, SCADA/telecommunications, water, and geotechnical engineers to develop complete Issue For Construction ...

Design Engineer - Substation

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$80K - $122K/yr

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 ...

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Protection And Control Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$69.6K

$121.7K

$189.7K

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

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for protection and control engineer in Chicago, IL is $121,698.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $105,700.00 and $134,000.00 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 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.
What job categories do people searching Protection And Control Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Protection And Control Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Protection And Control Engineer jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Protection And Control Engineer job openings:
Electrical QA/QC Engineer-2605240KS01

Electrical QA/QC Engineer-2605240KS01

Ardmore Roderick

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site

$131K - $169K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago


Job description

About Us
Ardmore Roderick is a full-service infrastructure solutions firm that specializes in Utilities, Transportation, Aviation, Rail and Transit, Building and Facilities Projects. We are headquartered in Chicago, IL with offices in Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas.
Our Vision
Reimagining infrastructure to improve lives and communities
Our Mission
Transforming communities by empowering the best minds to deliver innovative infrastructure solutions.
Our Values
  • Caring
  • Excellence
  • Impact
  • Innovation
  • Inclusion
  • Safety
Job Overview
We are seeking an Electrical QA/QC Engineer to join our team at Ardmore Roderick. As an Electrical QA/QC Engineer, you will join a team of infrastructure solutions experts working to solve our client's ever evolving project needs. This opportunity can be located in either our Chicago or Downers Grove, IL offices and could have potential to be hybrid depending on the specific client, project and team needs.
Key Responsibilities
  • Support engineering excellence across projects ranging from approximately 10-200 MW and will interface with internal and external engineering teams, EPC partners, utilities, OEM vendors and project stakeholders to ensure technically sound, constructible, code-compliant and utility-acceptable electrical designs
  • Perform detailed QAQC reviews of electrical engineering deliverables for utility-scale solar PV and BESS projects
  • Review and validate:
    • One-line diagrams
    • Three-line diagrams
    • AC/DC collection system designs
    • Cable schedules
    • Grounding and bonding designs
    • Protection and control schematics
    • SCADA and communication interfaces
    • Raceway and conduit layouts
    • Equipment layouts and interconnection details
  • Verify consistency across calculations, drawings, specifications, studies and procurement documents
  • Ensure adherence to NEC, NESC, IEEE standards, Utility requirements, ISO/RTO requirements, internal engineering standards and owner technical specifications
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from an accredited institution
  • 8+ years of electrical engineering experience in utility-scale power or renewable energy projects
  • Ability to demonstrate the ability to support quality assurance and quality control efforts for large-scale renewable energy projects including utility-scale solar PV and integrated Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
  • Demonstrated experience with utility-scale solar PV projects and integrated BESS systems
  • Strong knowledge of:
    • Medium-voltage power systems
    • Utility interconnection requirements
    • Protection and controls
    • Power system studies
    • Electrical equipment applications
  • Experience reviewing 30, 60, 90 % design packages as well as Issued-for-Construction (IFC) drawing packages
  • Familiarity with utility coordination and interconnection processes
  • Strong understanding of constructability and field installation practices
  • Ability to independently identify technical design risks and engineering deficiencies
Preferred Qualifications
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license
  • Experience with projects exceeding [100/250/500]+ MW
  • Experience with:
    • Utility substations
    • HV interconnections
    • SCADA integration
    • EMS/PPC systems
    • NERC compliance
    • ISO/RTO coordination
  • Experience supporting commissioning and energization activities
Benefits
  • We offer Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans
  • 401K, Paid Maternity Leave, Competitive PTO
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and more
Sponsorship and relocation are not available for this opportunity.
Ardmore Roderick is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law. Ardmore Roderick participates in E-Verify.
We are committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. Please reach out to us if you require reasonable accommodation in responding to a job announcement, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process.
Salary Range: $131,872-169,936, Ardmore Roderick is providing the compensation range that the company believes it might pay and/or offer for this position, based on the successful applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location.