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Protection Control Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Kaav Inc

Protection and Control Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

Protection and Control Engineer Location: San Ramon, CA (Onsite) Experience: 9-15 years Job Summary: Our P&C Engineers independently produce and understand the process to complete P&C packages ...

Morson Talent

Controls Engineer IV (2328)

Pleasant Hill, CA · On-site

$60 - $70/hr

The Lead Protection & Control Engineer works on T&D substations for AC, HVDC and FACTS projects with designers, peer engineers & leaders. The engineer is responsible to define, design, coordinate all ...

IntelliPro Group Inc.

Control engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$150K - $230K/yr

Control engineer Position Type: Full time Location: Santa Clara, CA, USA Salary Range: $150,000 ... legally protected group status. Moreover, our Inclusivity Commitment emphasizes embracing ...

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Protection Control Engineer information

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$66.6K

$116.5K

$181.6K

How much do protection control engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for protection control engineer in California is $116,498.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $101,200.00 and $128,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Protection Control Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering principles, power systems, and relaying, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree and, often, a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Familiarity with industry-standard software like SEL AcSELerator, ETAP, CAD tools, and SCADA systems, as well as knowledge of NERC and IEEE standards, is essential. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication skills help you diagnose complex issues and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are crucial to ensuring the reliability, safety, and compliance of electrical protection systems in power networks.

What are some common challenges faced by Protection Control Engineers in coordinating with other departments during substation projects?

Protection Control Engineers often collaborate closely with design, operations, and field teams during substation projects. A common challenge is ensuring clear communication of complex protection schemes and relay settings to non-specialist colleagues, which is critical for successful project execution and system reliability. Additionally, aligning protection settings with evolving grid requirements and timelines can be demanding, as it requires balancing technical accuracy with project schedules and the input of multiple stakeholders. Proactive coordination and regular interdisciplinary meetings help mitigate these challenges and ensure smooth project delivery.

What are Protection Control Engineers?

Protection Control Engineers are specialized electrical engineers who design, implement, and maintain systems that protect electrical power systems from faults and ensure reliable operation. They are responsible for configuring and testing protective relays, circuit breakers, and control systems that help prevent damage to equipment and minimize power outages. Their work is critical in utilities, substations, and power generation facilities to maintain system stability and safety. These engineers also analyze system disturbances and coordinate with other teams to troubleshoot and improve protection schemes.

What is the difference between Protection Control Engineer vs Protection Relay Technician?

AspectProtection Control EngineerProtection Relay Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in electrical engineering, relevant certificationsTechnical diploma or associate degree, specialized relay testing certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign, engineering, and system integration in power plants or substationsField testing, maintenance, and troubleshooting of protection relays
Employer & IndustryUtilities, power generation, transmission companiesSubstation service providers, utility companies, relay manufacturing firms

Protection Control Engineers focus on designing and implementing protection systems, while Protection Relay Technicians handle testing and maintaining relay equipment. Both roles are essential in ensuring power system reliability but differ in responsibilities and required skills.

What are popular job titles related to Protection Control Engineer jobs in California? For Protection Control Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Protection Control Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Protection Control Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Protection Control Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Protection Control Engineer job openings:
Protection Control Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Protection Control Engineer job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 90% Physical, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,498 per year, or $56 per hour.

Protection & Control Engineer/Technician Field Work Exp

Talent Search PRO

Fresno, CA

$100K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Posted yesterday

Job description

Protection & Control Engineer/Technician – Field Testing & Commissioning
Travel-Heavy Field Role – Up to 80%

Join a leading team supporting high-voltage substation projects across transmission, distribution, and generation environments. We’re looking for Protection & Control Field Testing Engineers at all experience levels to perform hands-on testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and documentation of critical P&C systems. Candidates should expect five 10-hour workdays per week.

What You’ll Do:

  • Test and commission P&C systems on high-voltage substations (15 kV – 500 kV)

  • Perform protective relay testing (SEL, GE, Basler, Beckwith) with Omicron or Doble test sets

  • Execute CT/PT verification, relay calibration, control scheme testing, and dynamic/static testing

  • Interpret electrical drawings, schematics, and logic diagrams; produce detailed field reports

  • Support Project Leads/Field Supervisors and manage clerical/project documentation

What You Bring:

  • 5+ years in substation field testing (breakers, transformers, instrument transformers, P&C systems)

  • Proficiency with relay families: SEL-311L, SEL-387, SEL-487, SEL-421, SEL-351S, GE L90/D60, etc.

  • Experience with NETA, IEEE, NFPA, and related standards

  • Knowledge of test software: ProTesT, Protection Suite, ENOSERV RTS, Omicron Test Universe, AcSELerator Quickset

  • Ability to travel extensively (up to 80%) and lift 50+ lbs

Preferred:

  • Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering/Electrical Technology

  • Electromechanical relay testing and high-voltage commissioning experience (CTs, CCVTs, PLC/SCADA, DC systems)

  • IEC 61850 testing and commissioning experience

Competitive pay and growth opportunities for skilled P&C engineers. Step into a role where every test, every relay, and every report matters.