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Protection Control Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

ABB

Protection and Control Engineer

West Sacramento, CA · On-site

As a Protection & Control Engineer, you will have the opportunity to act as the technical lead for all engineering activities in assignments. Each day, you will ensure the activities related to all ...

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Protection Control Engineer information

See California salary details

$66.6K

$116.5K

$181.6K

How much do protection control engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 20, 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 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 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 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 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 June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 90% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,498 per year, or $56 per hour.
Protection and Control Engineer

Protection and Control Engineer

ABB

West Sacramento, CA • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 26 days ago

ABB Group rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 75 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

71st of 418 rated machine equipment manufacturers

Job description

At ABB, we help industries run leaner and cleaner-and every person here makes that happen. You'll be empowered to lead, supported to grow, and proud of the impact we create together. Join us and help run what runs the world.

This position reports to:

Technical Consulting Manager II

__

Your role and responsibilities:

As a Protection & Control Engineer, you will have the opportunity to act as the technical lead for all engineering activities in assignments. Each day, you will ensure the activities related to all engineering disciplines within the project are executed in an efficient and cost-effective manner. You will also showcase your expertise by acting as a design authority for a particular engineering discipline and completing the corresponding engineering assignments.
This is a hybrid position based out of Sacramento, CA

Main Accountabilities:

  • Lead and support engineering design activities for new and existing utility, industrial, and commercial substation protection & control/automation systems, including planning, coordination, and execution of new and retrofit designs.

  • Develop engineering documentation and perform analyses-such as schematics, logic diagrams, layouts, bills of materials, reports, and calculations-to support accurate, standardscompliant system designs.

  • Manage project materials, construction design packages, and technical issue resolution while providing ongoing communication, status updates, and support to project teams, management, partners, and customers.

  • Ensure adherence to safety practices, industry standards, and company/customer requirements while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and participating in training to maintain technical proficiency.

Requirements:

  • Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering required. Masters Degree Preferred.

  • 5+ years of experience in protection & control projects for utility customers.

  • Ability to read, correctly interpret, and apply electrical one-lines, schematics, and instruction manuals.

  • Proficient software experience should include Easy Power, SKM Powertools, ETAP, Aspen, and EMTP.

  • PE License in California required

  • Candidates must already have work authorization that would permit them to work for ABB in the US

More about us:

ABB's Service Division partners with our customers to improve the availability, reliability, predictability and sustainability of electrical products and installations. The Division's extensive service portfolio offers product care, modernization, and advisory services to improve performance, extend equipment lifetime and deliver new levels of operational and sustainable efficiency. We help customers keep resources in use for as long as possible, extracting the maximum value from them, and then recovering and regenerating products and materials at the end of their useful life.

What's in it for you:

We want you to bring your full self to work-your ideas, your energy, your ambition. You'll have the tools and freedom to grow your skills, shape your path, and take on challenges that matter. Here, your work creates impact you can see and feel, every day.

ABB is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer for protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities at ABB.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their- sex (gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation), marital status, citizenship, age, race and ethnicity, inclusive of traits historically associated with race or ethnicity, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles, color, religious creed, national origin, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal and state law.

For more information regarding your (EEO) rights as an applicant, please visit the following websites: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf

As an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer for Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities, applicants may request to review the plan of a particular ABB facility between the hours of 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. EST Monday through Friday by contacting an ABB HR Representative at 1-888-694-7762.

Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access ABB's career site as a result of your disability. You may request reasonable accommodations by calling an ABB HR Representative at 1-888-694-7762 or by sending an email to US-AskHR@abb.com. Resumes and applications will not be accepted in this manner. #LI-Hybrid

ABB Benefit Summary for eligible US employees

[excludes ABB E-mobility, Athens union, Puerto Rico]

Go to MyBenefitsABB.com and click on "Candidate/Guest" to learn more

Health, Life & Disability

  • Choice between two medical plan options: A PPO plan called the Copay Plan OR a High Deductible Health Plan (with a Health Savings Account) called the High Deductible Plan.

  • Choice between two dental plan options: Core and Core Plus

  • Vision benefit

  • Company paid life insurance (2X base pay)

  • Company paid AD&D (1X base pay)

  • Voluntary life and AD&D - 100% employee paid up to maximums

  • Short Term Disability - up to 26 weeks - Company paid

  • Long Term Disability - 60% of pay - Company paid. Ability to "buy-up" to 66 2/3% of pay.

  • Supplemental benefits - 100% employee paid (Accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance

  • Parental Leave - up to 6 weeks

  • Employee Assistance Program

  • Health Advocate support resources for mental/behavioral health, general health navigation and virtual health, and infertility/adoption

  • Employee discount program

Retirement

  • 401k Savings Plan with Company Contributions

  • Employee Stock Acquisition Plan (ESAP)

Time off

  • ABB provides 11 paid holidays. Salaried exempt positions are provided vacation under a permissive time away policy.

While base salary is determined by things such as the successful applicant's qualifications and experience, this position is expected to pay between $83,300 and $133,280 annually.

MyBenefitsABB.com

Building a cleaner, smarter future takes all kinds of minds: the curious, the courageous, and the creative. That's why we welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences.

Ready to make an impact?

Apply today or visit https://www.abb.com to learn more about the impact of our solutions across the globe.

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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About ABB Group

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Take your next career step at ABB with a global team that is energizing the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future.At ABB, we have the clear goal of driving diversity and inclusion across all dimensions: gender, LGBTQ+, abilities, ethnicity and generations. Together, we are embarking on a journey where each and every one of us, individually and collectively, welcomes and celebrates individual differences.

Industry

Technology, communication and media

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cary, NC, US

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