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Protection And Controls Engineer Jobs in Pullman, WA

Senior Project Engineer

Lewiston, ID · On-site +1

$99K - $129K/yr

Senior Engineering Manager __ In this role, you will act as a design authority for an engineering ... Hands-on knowledge of generator controls and protection relays. * Experience in customer-facing ...

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Protection And Controls Engineer information

See Pullman, WA salary details

$53.7K

$94.4K

$128K

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

As of Jun 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for protection and controls engineer in Pullman, WA is $94,356.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,600.00 and $105,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Protection and Controls Engineers in specialized industries such as power systems or oil and gas can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership roles. High compensation often reflects expertise in designing, maintaining, and troubleshooting critical control systems, along with working in high-demand environments or senior management positions.

What are Protection and Controls Engineers?

Protection and Controls Engineers are specialized electrical engineers who design, implement, and maintain systems that protect electrical power grids and equipment from faults and failures. They ensure the reliable operation of substations and transmission networks by developing control schemes and selecting protective relays and devices. Their work helps prevent equipment damage, power outages, and safety hazards by quickly detecting and isolating electrical faults. These engineers collaborate with utility companies, work with advanced protective technologies, and play a critical role in maintaining grid stability and safety.

What does a protection and controls engineer do?

A protection and controls engineer designs, implements, and maintains systems that safeguard electrical equipment and power systems from faults and overloads. They develop protective relay settings, troubleshoot control systems, and ensure compliance with safety standards, often using specialized software and testing equipment. Their work is essential for reliable and safe operation of electrical infrastructure in industries like power generation, transmission, and distribution.

Is EEe a high paying job?

Protection and Controls Engineers typically earn competitive salaries, especially with experience and relevant certifications such as PE or IEEE. Salaries can vary based on industry, location, and level of expertise, but the role is generally considered well-paying within the engineering field.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Protection and Controls Engineers in specialized industries such as power generation, oil and gas, or large-scale manufacturing can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership roles. High salaries often reflect expertise in system design, project management, and the use of advanced control systems and software.

How does a Protection and Controls Engineer typically collaborate with other teams during substation projects?

Protection and Controls Engineers frequently work in close partnership with design, commissioning, and operations teams during substation projects. They are responsible for coordinating relay settings, reviewing control schematics, and ensuring that protection systems align with overall project requirements. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as these engineers must integrate feedback from field technicians and project managers to address technical challenges and maintain system reliability. This collaborative environment helps ensure that all protection and control systems function safely and efficiently.

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

To thrive as a Protection and Controls Engineer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering, particularly in power systems, supported by a relevant degree and often a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Proficiency with industry-standard software such as SEL AcSELerator, ETAP, and SCADA systems, along with knowledge of NERC and IEEE standards, is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for collaborating with teams and ensuring system reliability. These skills and qualifications are crucial to designing, maintaining, and troubleshooting protective relays and control systems that ensure the safe and reliable operation of electrical grids.
What cities near Pullman, WA are hiring for Protection And Controls Engineer jobs? Cities near Pullman, WA with the most Protection And Controls Engineer job openings:
Senior Controls Engineer

$160K - $230K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago


Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 42 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 139 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

Our Equipment Automation Engineering (EAE) team seeksa professional and innovative individual to join ourteam in Pullman WAor Lewiston ID.SEL is a 100 percent employee-owned company that specializes in creating and manufacturing digital products and systems that protect and control power systems around the world.

The Equipment Automation Engineering team supportsmanufacturing and vertical integration teamsbyunderstandingour manufacturing processes, recommendingsolutions, and executingprojects.

The successful candidate will be dependable, responsible,andself-motivated,andwork closely withEAE mechanical engineers,Productionrepresentatives,andrelatedEngineering teams to develop,successfully implement,andsupportmanufacturing automation solutions.These solutions often include fully custom automationdesigns.

As aSeniorControlsEngineer, a typical daymight include the following:

1.Mentoringengineersandtechnicians.

2.Leadingininitialequipment concept development and carefully balancingproduct specifications, process control requirements, layout complexity, cost, quality, and lead-time limits.

3.Layingout new industrial electrical control panels which are NFPA79/NEC/UL508A compliant and create electrical schematics.

4.Architecting, writing, and debuggingPLC ladder logic with an emphasis on generating code that is organized, structured, documented, maintainable and reusable. PLC code will interact with subsystems such as conveyors, robots, Manufacturing Execution System (MES), machine vision, and 3rd party equipment.

5.Managingelectrical cabinet builds.

6.Creatingmachine interactions with plant-wide Manufacturing Execution System (MES).

7.Introducingautomatedmachines andprocessesinto production, and trainingMaintenance and Production teams to support after deployment of equipment.

8.Creatingand reviewingspecifications and providingtechnical evaluations for outsourced automated equipment purchases.

9.Performingastechnicallead on assigned projects.

10. Other duties as assigned.

This job might be for you if you have:

1. B.S./M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechatronics, or related discipline

2.12+ years relevant experience in designing and implementing automation solutions in a manufacturing environment.

3.Strong technicalexpertisein the applicationof PLCs (example:Allen Bradley, Mitsubishi), HMI/GUI layout, Field BusNetworks,Safety Systems,VisionSystems, and integration of Robotics.

4. Familiarity with electrical prints and standards for industrial equipment.

5. Excellent technical presentation and training skills.

6.Demonstratedadvancedproficiencyin programming PLCs, with a well-definedmethodologyformaintainingcode structure and organization.

7. Ability to program state machines for complex processes which involve multi-station parallel processing, pick and place automation, data acquisition, and PID control.

8. Proven ability to designreliablesystems with error handling and recovery processes.

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Competitive pay. Superior benefits. Inspiring work.

People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners. We welcome you to learn more about how we support employees.

  • We're 100% employee owned. Retirement benefits include an employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options.

  • We offer top tier medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.

  • We recognize the importance of a healthy life balance and offer: 10 paid holidays, annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days, 9 paid sick days, and paid family and medical leave that covers 90% of your pay.

  • We foster growth and development of our employees through avenues such as STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs.

  • Ask our team about other benefits including wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending benefits.

Pay Range Data

New hires generally start between $160,600 - $230,000. We base our starting pay offer on location and job-related factors such as candidate experience, training, knowledge, and skills. Our salary ranges are determined by job, responsibility, and location.

Communication with Applicants

We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAMfilteror reach out to us at careers@selinc.com.

SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.

Communication with Applicants

We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAMfilteror reach out to us at careers@selinc.com.

SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.


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