1

Protection Control Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Lead Engineer - Protection & Control

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

$93.30K - $122.90K/yr

Lead a team of protection & control engineers, engineering technicians, and drafting technicians from project proposal to project as-built stage. * Coordinate with Substation Physical Engineering ...

Lead Engineer - Protection & Control

Chattanooga, TN

$93.30K - $122.90K/yr

Lead a team of protection & control engineers, engineering technicians, and drafting technicians from project proposal to project as-built stage. * Coordinate with Substation Physical Engineering ...

Senior Engineer - Protection & Control

Chattanooga, TN · On-site

$95.20K - $130.70K/yr

Our team is growing, and we are seeking seasoned Protection and Control Engineers. If you have 7+ years of experience in major utility substations, we want to hear from you! Responsibilities

next page

Showing results 1-20

Protection Control information

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 strong background in electrical engineering, power systems, and relay protection principles, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software like SEL AcSELerator, ETAP, and SCADA systems, as well as NERC/CIP compliance knowledge, is essential. Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and effective communication enhance teamwork and troubleshooting efficiency. These abilities ensure the reliable operation and safety of power systems, minimizing outages and protecting critical infrastructure.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Protection Control, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in Protection Control often encounter challenges such as coordinating between field teams and engineers during system testing, managing tight project deadlines, and staying current with evolving industry standards and technologies. Effective communication and meticulous documentation are essential to ensure system reliability and minimize errors. Additionally, ongoing training and collaboration with other departments, such as operations and maintenance, help address technical complexities and support professional growth.

What are Protection Control jobs?

Protection Control jobs involve the design, installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of protective relays and control systems in electrical power systems. Professionals in this field ensure the safe and reliable operation of substations and power grids by detecting faults and isolating affected sections to prevent damage and outages. These roles require strong knowledge of electrical engineering principles, as well as experience with power system automation and safety standards. Protection Control specialists often work for utility companies, engineering firms, or industrial facilities.

What is the difference between Protection Control vs Relay Technician?

AspectProtection ControlRelay Technician
CertificationsPE, NICET, or equivalent; industry-specific trainingNICET certification; electrical or electronics training
Work EnvironmentPower plants, substations, utility companiesSubstations, power plants, maintenance facilities
Job FocusDesign, testing, and operation of protection systemsInstallation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of relays

Protection Control specialists focus on designing and managing protection systems to ensure electrical grid safety, while Relay Technicians primarily handle the installation and maintenance of relays. Both roles require electrical knowledge and certifications, often working in similar environments within the power industry. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the electrical utility sector.

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Protection Control jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Protection Control job openings:
Infographic showing various Protection Control job openings in Tennessee as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Engineer III - Protection & Control

Qualus

Chattanooga, TN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Position Overview
Power your future with Qualus in our Substation Protection and Control department as a Protection & Control Engineer. As a Protection & Control Engineer, you will play a crucial role in the design and development of utility substation Protection & Control (P&C) engineering design packages that include drawings such as one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, wiring diagrams, AC/DC Elementary diagrams, circuit schedules, logic diagrams, operating diagrams, and more.
Responsibilities
  • Coordinate with Substation Physical Engineering, Relay Settings, and other groups to ensure design concurrence.
  • Development of complete engineering design packages for protective relaying and communications systems, including one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, AC schematics, DC schematics, logic and functional diagrams, panel layouts, control house layouts, wiring/connection diagrams, interconnection diagrams, relaying equipment specifications and bill of materials.
  • Development of SCADA packages, including input / output list (Point Data Sheet)
  • Provides technical direction and on-the-job training to drafters, engineering technicians, and less experienced engineers.
  • Maintaining trusted relationships with current or prospective clients.
  • Confidently and comfortably present technical solutions to key customers; respond in real time to technical concerns and answer questions in a knowledgeable articulate manner.
  • Participate in client meetings/job site visits to collect or deliver design and engineering data.
  • Performs assignments independently with instruction as to the general results expected and with guidance from Manager of Engineering and/or Lead Engineer on unusual or complex projects.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineer (BSEE) with a power systems focus. An MS Degree in engineering will be considered in lieu of the BS Engineering degree. International Engineering Degrees will be considered.
  • 3+ years of experience with developing complete utility substation P&C engineering design packages, including AC one-line and three-line diagrams, DC schematics, logic and functional diagrams, panel layouts, interconnection diagrams, relaying equipment specifications and bill of materials.
  • Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) License is a plus, and desire to pursue Professional Engineer (PE) License.
  • Physical design experience in addition to Protection & Control (P&C) experience is a plus.
  • Desire for continuing education and licenses.

#LI-BL1
Benefits & Compensation
Qualus benefits offered include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short and Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays, for those who qualify.
The final salary awarded for this role may vary from the above range based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs. The salary range provided in this job posting may be subject to change for business purposes.
Company Overview
Qualus is a leading pure-play power solutions firm and innovator at the forefront of power infrastructure transformation, with differentiated capabilities across grid modernization, resiliency, security, and sustainability. The firm partners with utilities, commercial, industrial, data center, and government clients, and renewable and energy storage developers, offering comprehensive solutions through boutique and integrated advisory, planning, engineering, digital solutions, program management, and specialized field services. Qualus also provides software and technology enabled services and develops breakthrough solutions for critical power industry challenges such as distributed and variable resource integration, emergency management, and secure data exchange. The firm has over 1,800 professionals, with offices throughout the U.S. and Canada.
EEO
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on any grounds protected by applicable human rights legislation across Canada and the US.