ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Protection Control Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Neon Aerospace

Senior Motor Control Engineer

Irvine, CA

$179K - $185K/yr

We're seeking a Senior Motor Control Engineer with deep technical expertise and a passion for ... Use models to inform controller structure, gains, limits, and protection strategies Controller ...

Fortinet, Inc.

Jr. QC Engineer

Union City, CA · On-site

$21 - $36/hr

We are seeking a proactive and technically skilled Quality Control Engineer to support incoming ... Fortinet empowers its customers with intelligent, seamless protection across the expanding attack ...

Neon Aerospace

Senior Motor Control Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$179K - $185K/yr

We're seeking a Senior Motor Control Engineer with deep technical expertise and a passion for ... Use models to inform controller structure, gains, limits, and protection strategies Controller ...

Rivian

Staff Motor Control Engineer

Carson, CA · On-site

Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations. Role Summary The staff motor control engineer leads and contributes to the ...

Rivian

Staff Motor Control Engineer

Carson, CA · On-site

Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations. Role Summary The staff motor control engineer leads and contributes to the ...

Rivian

Staff Motor Control Engineer

Carson, CA

Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations. Role Summary The staff motor control engineer leads and contributes to the ...

Western Digital

Servo Control Engineer

San Jose, CA

Collaborate with other teams to engineer design improvements that enhance robustness, minimize ... Please contact us at [email protected] to advise us of your accommodation request. In your email ...

State Water Resources Control Board

WRCE

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$6.4K - $12K/mo

... protection. Ideal candidates will have strong technical, analytical, communication, and ... Under the close supervision of a Senior Water Resource Control Engineer in the Recycled Water Unit ...

Western Digital

Servo Control Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$115K - $153K/yr

Collaborate with other teams to engineer design improvements that enhance robustness, minimize ... protected characteristics. We also prohibit harassment of any individual on any of the ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsProtection Control Engineer JobsProtection Control Engineer Jobs in California

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 & Controls Engineer, Senior

Protection & Controls Engineer, Senior

Wood Plc

Los Angeles, CA

$123K - $169K/yr

Other

Posted 20 days ago

Job description

Overview / Responsibilities

Wood currently has exciting opportunities for a Senior Protection & Controls Engineer. This position can be located in any of the following offices - West Palm Beach, FL, Orlando, FL, Tucker, GA,  Los Angeles, CA  or Vancouver, BC, Calgary, AB, Oakville, ON. If you have a successful track record and thrive on challenges in a fast-paced environment, this is the opportunity for you.

Key Responsibilities

  • Providing technical leadership and support to a team of engineers and designers to develop protection, control, and metering system design for electrical substations ranging from 12 kV to 500 kV from conceptual stage through construction and commissioning
  • On assigned projects, serving as Technical Lead and:
    • Developing protection planning and application documents, one-lines, schematics, panel layouts and wiring diagrams for power system protective relaying and metering systems
    • Performing protection coordination studies and relay settings for high voltage utility transmission systems
    • Reviewing or preparing engineering drawings/documents, specifications, construction and outage staging plans, and inspection and testing plans/procedures
    • Supporting construction and commissioning activities
    • Performing factory inspections
    • Participating in client technical, Safety by Design and constructability review meetings
    • Reviewing or preparing project conceptual, feasibility and definition phase scopes and estimates
  • Supporting Business Development team in preparing proposals and estimates
  • Liaising with clients at the discipline level on technical matters
  • Reviewing new engineering standards, design practices, guides, etc. from clients and sharing with the P&C team
  • Enhancing and maintaining relationships with internal groups as well as external contractors and clients
  • Mentoring junior engineers
Skills / Qualifications
  • Minimum 10 years of utility-specific protection, control, and metering experience. Experience executing EPC projects is considered an asset
  • Electrical Engineering Degree from a recognized university along with the ability to register as a Professional Engineer in Canada and/or the United States
  • 3-4 years of experience in performing protection coordination studies and relay settings for high voltage utility transmission systems is considered an asset
  • Proven working experience of relay setting software such as ASPEN, CAPE, EasyPower, SKM Power Tools as well as SEL and GE relay programming software
  • Excellent English written and verbal communication skills
  • Proven field experience with outage planning, construction sequencing and commissioning is considered an asset
  • Familiarity with utility protection and control maintenance and operational practices is considered an asset
  • Clean driving record/abstract
Company Overview

Wood is a global leader in engineering and consultancy across energy and the built environment, helping to unlock solutions to some of the world's most critical challenges. We provide consulting, projects and operations solutions in more than 60 countries, employing around 40,000 people. www.woodplc.com

Diversity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective criteria and without regard to the following (which is a non-exhaustive list): race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws.

Employment Type: OTHER

Apply