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Protection Control Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

As a Protection & Control Engineer , you will design and implement advanced protection and control systems that keep the grid safe, reliable, and ready for the energy transition. This role places you ...

Lead Protection & Control Engineer

Fort Mill, SC ยท On-site

$90K - $118K/yr

FindTalent is seeking a Lead Protection & Control Engineer to join our team onsite in South Carolina. This role will lead the design, coordination, and implementation of protective relay systems for ...

Lead Protection & Control Engineer** to join our team in **Rochester, NY****.**## **Your role*** Work within a multi-discipline team to develop efficient and reliable electrical design packages for ...

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Protection Control Engineer information

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$67.5K

$118K

$184K

How much do protection control engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for protection 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 a protection control engineer?

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.

More about Protection Control Engineer jobs

What cities are hiring for Protection Control Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Protection Control Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Protection Control Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Protection Control Engineer jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Protection Control Engineer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Protection Control Engineer jobs are:

Infographic showing various Protection Control Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,044 per year, or $56.8 per hour.

Protection & Control Engineer

Hitachi

Raleigh, NC โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 days ago


Job description

Location:

Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

Job ID:

R0128300

Date Posted:

2026-05-01

Company Name:

HITACHI ENERGY USA INC

Profession (Job Category):

Engineering & Science

Job Schedule:

Full time

Remote:

No

Job Description:

At Hitachi Energy, we are driving the future of power systems through innovation and sustainability. As a Protection & Control Engineer, you will design and implement advanced protection and control systems that keep the grid safe, reliable, and ready for the energy transition. This role places you at the heart of projects that modernize substations, integrate renewable energy, and enhance automation across transmission and distribution networks. You'll collaborate with project managers, customers, and cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality engineering solutions that meet stringent standards and exceed expectations. If you are passionate about cutting-edge technology, thrive in dynamic environments, and want to make a tangible impact on the global energy landscape, this is your opportunity to join a team that is shaping the future of power.

How You'll Make an Impact

  • Design and develop protection and control schemes for substations and power systems.
  • Prepare engineering documentation including schematics, wiring diagrams, and relay settings.
  • Review and validate vendor equipment specifications and technical documentation.
  • Coordinate technical activities throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Perform relay testing, SCADA integration, and communication protocol verification.
  • Support project managers with technical input for proposals and risk assessments.
  • Collaborate with customers to optimize system performance and resolve design issues.
  • Mentor junior engineers and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Responsible to ensure compliance with applicable external and internal regulations, procedures, and guidelines.

Your Background

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
  • 3+ years of experience in protection and control engineering for power systems.
  • Knowledge of protective relays, SCADA systems, and communication protocols (Modbus, DNP3, GOOSE).
  • Familiarity with substation automation and high-voltage equipment.
  • Experience with engineering tools and test equipment (DOBLE, OMICRON).
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
  • Candidate must already have work authorization that would permit them to work for Hitachi Energy in the United States.

More About Us

We pride ourselves on offering a holistic range of competitive benefits to support your financial, physical, and mental wellbeing and personal development. We want you to truly thrive with us, in work and out.

For this role, depending on grade and experience, we offer the following employee benefits (subject to the respective plan rules):

  • Health Care (medical, dental, vision, etc.)
  • Financial Wellbeing: Employer-sponsored pension - 401(k) Program with generous company match and contribution, Life/AD&D Insurance, disability insurance
  • Family Care: Life and Family (Legal, pet, auto, home, identity theft, etc.), special needs support, and adoption assistance
  • Work-Life: Enhanced leave programs (FMLA, Military Service Leave, Maternal, Paternal, adoption, vacation, and holiday)
  • Employee Engagement and Development: Employee Resource Groups (depending on location), tuition reimbursement program, on-demand learning platforms

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)-Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Protected veterans and qualified individuals with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access the Hitachi Energy career site as a result of your disability. You may request reasonable accommodations by completing a general inquiry form on our website. Please include your contact information and specific details about your required accommodation to support you during the job application process.This is solely for job seekers with disabilities requiring accessibility assistance or an accommodation in the job application process. Messages left for other purposes will not receive a response.

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About Hitachi Vantara

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Hitachi Rail is a fully integrated, global provider of rail solutions across rolling stock, signaling, service & maintenance, digital technology and turnkey. With a presence in 38 countries across three continents and over 13,000 employees, our mission is to contribute to society through the continuous development of superior rail transport solutions.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

2017