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Protection And Control Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

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 ...

Senior Substation Electrical Engineer

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$110K - $144K/yr

The incumbent will also work closely with other Power Delivery departments, including the Transmission Engineering, Distribution Engineering, Protection & Control Engineering, EV Technology and the ...

Lead Transmission Line Engineer

Chicago, IL

$105K - $139K/yr

The incumbent will also work closely with other Power Delivery departments, including the Substation Engineering, Distribution Engineering, Protection & Control Engineering, EV Technology and the ...

Showing results 21-40

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 Aug 7, 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 is a protection and control engineer?

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?

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 are popular job titles related to Protection And Control Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? For Protection And Control Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
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:
Infographic showing various Protection And Control Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 79% In-person, 13% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $121,698 per year, or $58.5 per hour.

Substation Protection & Controls Project Engineer (PE License Required)

Amped I LLC

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site, Remote

$149K - $160K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

Description

Amped I LLC was founded in 2010 as a design and engineering firm specializing in power infrastructure projects ranging from transmission to distribution for power utility, industry, government and commercial facilities. Amped I is a small, certified Women's Business Enterprise with the goal to provide exceptional value, integrity, and client satisfaction to all of our clients' needs. Amped I is also committed to both career growth and job satisfaction for each individual team member. We are proud and stand behind our core values of accountability, collaboration, positive energy, problem solving, and continuous improvement.


Job Summary

The Substation Protection & Controls Project Engineer role is a mid-level, full-time, permanent position. This position is fully-remote, allowing you to work from home Monday - Friday each week. While working alongside a team of experienced electrical engineers and providing guidance to entry-level electrical engineers, this position leads projects in electrical substation protection and control design. If you're looking for an exciting opportunity where your contributions and career growth is valued from day one, we invite you to apply!


Duties/Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

  • Create/modify design documents and drawings for a project, including one-lines, three-lines, control schematics and wiring diagrams, relay panel arrangements and specifications, conduit and cable sizing/routing, and generating bills of material
  • Design auxiliary AC and DC power systems
  • Develop SCADA system and communications interfaces
  • Work with various project teams to fully develop system integration of protection, control, and monitoring systems
  • Perform basic calculations such as relay burden, voltage drop, and short circuit calculations
  • Perform relay coordination studies and prepare relay settings
  • Effectively communicate and coordinate project activities with Project Managers, clients, designers and drafters as needed
  • Single point of contact with clients on technical issues
  • Multi-discipline engineering
  • Manages project work from all technical aspects
  • Ability to review engineering of the entire project
  • Creates project cost estimates and proposals for new project work
  • Performs site walk-downs independently to scope project requirements
  • Produce scope documents based on client requests and standards

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

Required Skills and Abilities

  • Strong understanding of a substation project lifecycle at the utility levelย 
  • Excellent technical communication and detail-oriented work practices
  • High comfort level with teaching, training, and mentoring team members

Education and Experience

  • Bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited university in Electrical Engineeringย 
  • Engineering Technology degrees considered in combination with industry experience
  • Professional Engineer (PE) License required, MS Engineering preferred, but not required
    • Ability to obtain PE License in additional states/jurisdictions based on client requirements
  • Minimum 6 years experience in relay protection and control design of high voltage 12-500 kV substations

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary along with a comprehensive benefits package, including:

  • Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision plans, as well as access to telemedicine.
  • Retirement Plans: 401(k) with a company match.
  • Paid Time Off (PTO): Vacation days, sick leave, and personal time off.
  • Paid Company Holidays: Company paid holidays and one floating holiday.
  • Family Support: Paid leave policies for maternity, paternity, adoption, and foster care placement.
  • Life and Disability Insurance: Basic and supplemental life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance.
  • Flexible Scheduling: Remote work options and flexible work hours.

**In order to be considered for this position, please also complete the Culture Index assessment, linked here.


Our company embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We believe the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.