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Protection Control Jobs in Birmingham, AL (NOW HIRING)

SNC-Lavalin

Senior Engineer - Protection & Control

Vestavia Hills, AL · On-site

$104K - $143K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Overview We are seeking a Senior Engineer - Protection & Control to join our team in the Boston, MA or another AtkinsRealis US Based Office to lead and work on various Power Substation and P&C ...

Qualus

Lead Engineer Protection and Control

Trussville, AL · On-site

$94K - $123K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Position Overview Power your future with Qualus in our Substation Protection and Control department as a Lead Protection & Control Engineer. Our team is growing, and we are seeking seasoned ...

Qualus

Lead Engineer Protection and Control

Trussville, AL · On-site

$94K - $123K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Position Overview Power your future with Qualus in our Substation Protection and Control department as a Lead Protection & Control Engineer. Our team is growing, and we are seeking seasoned ...

4pconsultinginc

Test Engineer P&C

Birmingham, AL · On-site

Test Engineer - Protection & Control (P&C) I Location: Birmingham, AL Contract Duration: 18+ Months Client: Alabama Power Position Overview We are seeking a motivated Test Engineer - Protection ...

4P Consulting Inc

Controls Technician I 4P/589

Bessemer, AL · On-site

$26.75 - $35.25/hr

Protection & Control SystemsInstall, maintain, and troubleshoot protection and control relaying systems and associated devicesInstall, program, and maintain microprocessor relays and related control ...

4P Consulting Inc

Controls Technician I 4P/589

Bessemer, AL · On-site

$26.75 - $35.25/hr

Protection & Control SystemsInstall, maintain, and troubleshoot protection and control relaying systems and associated devicesInstall, program, and maintain microprocessor relays and related control ...

4pconsultinginc

Controls Engineer I

Hueytown, AL · On-site

$74K - $96K/yr

Key Responsibilities Protection & Control Systems * Install, maintain, and troubleshoot protection and control relaying systems and associated devices * Install, program, and maintain microprocessor ...

4pconsultinginc

Controls Technician I

Hueytown, AL · On-site

$26.75 - $35.25/hr

Key Responsibilities Protection & Control Systems * Install, maintain, and troubleshoot protection and control relaying systems and associated devices * Install, program, and maintain microprocessor ...

Quanta Services

Design Engineer - Substation

Birmingham, AL · On-site

$92K - $117K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Develop protection and control schematics, wiring diagrams, cable lists and panel layouts. * Develop design drawings, calculations, and bills of material from engineering documents for planning ...

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All JobsProtection Control JobsProtection Control Jobs in Birmingham, AL

Protection Control information

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 is protection control?

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.

How to become a protection control engineer?

To become a protection control engineer, typically a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field is required. Gaining experience with power systems, protective relays, and control systems is essential, along with obtaining relevant certifications such as the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) or Professional Engineer (PE) license. Familiarity with industry standards and hands-on training with protection devices and control schemes are also important for this role.

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 the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a protection control engineer?

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 popular job titles related to Protection Control jobs in Birmingham, AL?

For Protection Control jobs in Birmingham, AL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Protection Control jobs in Birmingham, AL look for?

The top searched job categories for Protection Control jobs in Birmingham, AL are:

Protection Control jobs near you
Infographic showing various Protection Control job openings in Birmingham, AL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution.

Protection & Control Engineer

Electric Machine Control Inc

Trussville, AL • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Protection & Control Engineer
Location: Trussville, Alabama
Department: Engineering / Power Systems

Position Summary

We are seeking a motivated Protection & Control (P&C) Engineer to join our engineering team in Trussville, Alabama. In this role, you will support the design, development, testing, and commissioning of protection and control systems for electric utility substations and related power infrastructure. You will work closely with engineers, designers, technicians, project managers, and customers to deliver safe, reliable, and high-quality solutions.

This position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys hands-on technical work, detailed problem-solving, and seeing projects through from concept to completion.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design protection and control systems for substation and utility projects.
  • Prepare and review one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, wiring diagrams, relay logic, and control house drawings.
  • Develop or support relay settings, protection schemes, and coordination studies.
  • Review engineering drawings, field markups, and as-built documentation for accuracy and completeness.
  • Support SCADA and substation communication integration with protection and control systems.
  • Coordinate with relay technicians, CAD designers, field crews, and project managers throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Provide technical support during testing, commissioning, and startup activities.
  • Troubleshoot protection, control, and communications issues in the field and in the office.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable utility standards, engineering practices, and safety requirements.
  • Maintain clear documentation and communicate technical information effectively.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
  • 5+ years of experience in protection and control engineering, substation design, or a related utility engineering role.
  • Working knowledge of substation protection schemes, relay applications, and control circuit design.
  • Ability to read and interpret detailed electrical drawings and technical documentation.
  • Familiarity with protective relays, SCADA integration, and substation automation concepts.
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and troubleshooting skills.
  • Effective communication skills and the ability to work well with a team.
  • Detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with major relay platforms such as SEL, GE, Siemens, ABB/Hitachi, or similar.
  • Familiarity with relay setting development, coordination studies, or short circuit analysis.
  • Experience supporting utility substation projects from design through commissioning.
  • EIT or PE certification, or progress toward licensure, is a plus.

Work Environment

This role may involve a combination of office and field work, including travel to substations and customer sites. Candidates should be comfortable working in both collaborative office settings and active field environments.

Why Join Us

This is an opportunity to work on meaningful projects that support critical infrastructure and reliable electric service. You’ll gain exposure to a wide range of technical challenges while working with a team that values quality, initiative, and professional growth.

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