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Protection And Control Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Overview Power your future with Qualus as a Protection & Control Engineer through our Qualus University's 2026 Engineering Boot Camp! Our Engineering Boot Camp is a full-time Engineer I role ...

Position Overview Power your future with Qualus as a Protection & Control Engineer through our Qualus University's 2026 Engineering Boot Camp! Our Engineering Boot Camp is a full-time Engineer I role ...

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Protection And Control Engineer information

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$67.5K

$118K

$184K

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

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for protection and control engineer in the United States is $118,044.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,500.00 and $130,000.00 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.
More about Protection And Control Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Protection And Control Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Protection And Control Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Protection And Control Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Protection And Control Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Protection And Control Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Protection And Control Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Protection And Control Engineer job openings in the United States 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 $118,044 per year, or $56.8 per hour.

Engineer III - Protection & Control

Qualus

Trussville, AL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

Position Overview

Power your future with Qualus in our Substation Protection and Control department as a Protection & Control Engineer. As a Protection & Control Engineer, you will play a crucial role in the design and development of utility substation Protection & Control (P&C) engineering design packages that include drawings such as one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, wiring diagrams, AC/DC Elementary diagrams, circuit schedules, logic diagrams, operating diagrams, and more. 

Responsibilities
  • Coordinate with Substation Physical Engineering, Relay Settings, and other groups to ensure design concurrence.
  • Development of complete engineering design packages for protective relaying and communications systems, including one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, AC schematics, DC schematics, logic and functional diagrams, panel layouts, control house layouts, wiring/connection diagrams, interconnection diagrams, relaying equipment specifications and bill of materials.
  • Development of SCADA packages, including input / output list (Point Data Sheet)
  • Provides technical direction and on-the-job training to drafters, engineering technicians, and less experienced engineers.
  • Maintaining trusted relationships with current or prospective clients.
  • Confidently and comfortably present technical solutions to key customers; respond in real time to technical concerns and answer questions in a knowledgeable articulate manner.
  • Participate in client meetings/job site visits to collect or deliver design and engineering data.
  • Performs assignments independently with instruction as to the general results expected and with guidance from Manager of Engineering and/or Lead Engineer on unusual or complex projects. 
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineer (BSEE) with a power systems focus. An MS Degree in engineering will be considered in lieu of the BS Engineering degree. International Engineering Degrees will be considered.
  • 3+ years of experience with developing complete utility substation P&C engineering design packages, including AC one-line and three-line diagrams, DC schematics, logic and functional diagrams, panel layouts, interconnection diagrams, relaying equipment specifications and bill of materials
  • Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) License, and desire to pursue Professional Engineer (PE) License
  • Physical design experience in addition to Protection & Control (P&C) experience is a plus !
  • Desire for continuing education and licenses 

#LI-BV1

Benefits & Compensation

Qualus benefits offered include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short and Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays, for those who qualify.

The final salary awarded for this role may vary from the above range based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs. The salary range provided in this job posting may be subject to change for business purposes.

Company Overview

Qualus is a leading pure-play power solutions firm and innovator at the forefront of power infrastructure transformation, with differentiated capabilities across grid modernization, resiliency, security, and sustainability. The firm partners with utilities, commercial, industrial, data center, and government clients, and renewable and energy storage developers, offering comprehensive solutions through boutique and integrated advisory, planning, engineering, digital solutions, program management, and specialized field services. Qualus also provides software and technology enabled services and develops breakthrough solutions for critical power industry challenges such as distributed and variable resource integration, emergency management, and secure data exchange. The firm has over 1,800 professionals, with offices throughout the U.S. and Canada.

EEO

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on any grounds protected by applicable human rights legislation across Canada and the US.

Employment Type: FULL_TIME