ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Protection & Controls Engineer Jobs in California

Kelly Services

Controls Engineer

Santa Cruz, CA · On-site

$96K - $124K/yr

Controls Engineer Joby Aviation · Advanced Equipment Solutions (AES) Engagement 3-6 month contract ... Comfortable in 480 VAC 3-phase industrial environments; understands grounding, protection, and ...

BNH

Electrical Controls Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$97K - $128K/yr

Electrical Controls Engineer Location: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA (NFAC) Job ... It is a condition of employment to wear company issued PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) in ...

BNH

Electrical Controls Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$97K - $128K/yr

Electrical Controls Engineer Location: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA (NFAC) Job ... It is a condition of employment to wear company issued PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) in ...

BNH

Electrical Controls Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$97K - $128K/yr

Electrical Controls Engineer Location: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA (NFAC) Job ... It is a condition of employment to wear company issued PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) in ...

BNH

Electrical Controls Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$134K - $178K/yr

Electrical Controls Engineer Location: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA (NFAC) Job ... It is a condition of employment to wear company issued PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) in ...

BNH

Electrical Controls Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$97K - $128K/yr

Electrical Controls Engineer Location: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA (NFAC) Job ... It is a condition of employment to wear company issued PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) in ...

BNH

Electrical Controls Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$134K - $178K/yr

Electrical Controls Engineer Location: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA (NFAC) Job ... It is a condition of employment to wear company issued PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) in ...

BNH

Electrical Controls Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$134K - $178K/yr

Electrical Controls Engineer Location: NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA (NFAC) Job ... It is a condition of employment to wear company issued PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) in ...

Ferrara Candy Company

Controls Engineer

Fairfield, CA · On-site

$95K - $105K/yr

As a Controls Engineer, reporting to the Maintenance Manager, you'll play a key role in shaping the ... Protective gear will be required where appropriate. Position requires ability to work varying start ...

Actalent

Controls Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$65 - $70/hr

Job Title: Controls Engineer We are seeking an Associate Controls Engineer to join our team in ... The role requires working on a construction site, and personal protective equipment (PPE) will be ...

EG-Engineering

Beamline Controls Engineer

Bodega Bay, CA

$99K - $128K/yr

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is hiring a Beamline Controls Engineer within the Engineering ... Maintain the backup and disaster recovery systems that protect operational and experiment data.

Ferrara

Controls Engineer

Fairfield, CA · On-site

$95K - $105K/yr

As a Controls Engineer, reporting to the Maintenance Manager, you'll play a key role in shaping the ... Protective gear will be required where appropriate. Position requires ability to work varying start ...

Nikkiso Co.

Electrical Controls Engineer

Escondido, CA · On-site

$72K - $129K/yr

Develop Controls Engineering quotes and proposals based on customer project needs * Create ... origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of ...

New

Zipline

Staff Controls Engineer

South San Francisco, CA · On-site

$180K - $230K/yr

As a Staff Controls Engineer, you will own system-performance analysis for vehicle designs and help ... protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsProtection & Controls Engineer JobsProtection & Controls Engineer Jobs in California

Protection Controls Engineer information

See California salary details

$54.3K

$95.3K

$129.3K

How much do protection & controls engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for protection & controls engineer in California is $95,309.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,400.00 and $106,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a protection & controls engineer?

A Protection & Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining electrical protection and control systems for power grids, substations, and industrial facilities. They ensure the safe and reliable operation of electrical systems by developing protective relaying schemes, performing system studies, and troubleshooting faults. Their role involves working with relays, circuit breakers, SCADA systems, and automation technologies to prevent equipment damage and power outages. They collaborate with utilities, engineering teams, and field technicians to optimize system performance and ensure compliance with industry standards.

What does a protection & controls engineer do?

A Protection & Controls Engineer typically spends their day designing, reviewing, and testing protection and control systems for electrical substations and power grids. Daily tasks may include developing relay settings, performing fault analysis, creating wiring diagrams, and collaborating with project teams and field technicians to ensure accurate implementation. You will also troubleshoot and resolve issues in existing systems, update project documentation, and participate in meetings with clients or stakeholders. This role often balances independent technical work with teamwork, providing variety and opportunities to apply both engineering knowledge and problem-solving skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a protection & controls engineer?

To thrive as a Protection & Controls Engineer, you need a solid understanding of electrical power systems, protection schemes, and control logic, usually backed by a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as SEL AcSELerator, ETAP, and relay programming tools, as well as certifications like PE or NETA, are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills are key soft skills for success in this role. These competencies ensure accurate system protection, minimize downtime, and support safe, reliable operation of critical power infrastructure.

What are popular job titles related to Protection & Controls Engineer jobs in California?

For Protection & Controls Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Protection & Controls Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Protection & Controls Engineer jobs in California are:

Protection Controls Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Protection & Controls Engineer job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 77% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 22% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,309 per year, or $45.8 per hour.

Controls Engineer

Santa Cruz, CA • On-site

Kelly Services
See more jobs at Kelly Servicesexternal

$96K - $124K/yr

Full-time, Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Controls EngineerJoby Aviation · Advanced Equipment Solutions (AES) Engagement 3-6 month contract with possibility of direct hire at end of contract Locations Marina, Watsonville, and Santa Cruz, California (can also work hybrid schedule) Work model At least 50% on-site; project needs determine the worksite. Commissioning, debug, panel work, and machine-down response happen on site and those weeks run heavier. Programming and documentation can be done remotely. We would rather have the right engineer on a flexible schedule than the wrong one full-time. Target start As soon as the right candidate clears selection and onboarding Reports to Manager, Advanced Equipment Solutions — who owns platform architecture, tag standards, and safety philosophy for this group About the teamAdvanced Equipment Solutions designs, builds, and commissions the production equipment used to manufacture composite aircraft structures — autoclaves, post-cure ovens, high-temperature presses, induction heating cells, and robotic work cells. We build these machines in house rather than buying turnkey: we specify, engineer, panel-build, program, commission, and qualify our own equipment, and we own the operating platform it runs on.Position summaryA hands-on controls engineer supporting the design, integration, modification, and commissioning of production and R&D equipment — primarily thermal-process machines requiring precise heating and controlled cooling. The work combines PLC programming, HMI/SCADA development, electrical design, panel work, field troubleshooting, and close collaboration with equipment engineers and technicians across three California sites.Key responsibilities
  • Develop, modify, and troubleshoot PLC control systems on Allen-Bradley / Rockwell platforms (Studio 5000 / Logix)
  • Build and maintain Ignition applications, with emphasis on Perspective and Edge on machine-level boxes
  • Design control panels — schematics, component selection, BOMs — and support panel build, inspection, and field installation
  • Integrate new production and R&D equipment into our established Rockwell and Ignition architecture
  • Install, wire, and check out instrumentation: thermocouples, pressure and vacuum transducers, flow and level devices
  • Implement heater and temperature control — SCR power control, PID loops, multi-zone thermal uniformity
  • Configure process data capture to SQL historians for cure and thermal records
  • Execute I/O checkout, loop tuning, functional testing, commissioning, and process optimization through to production readiness
  • Integrate machine-safety devices — over-temperature chains, interlocks, light curtains, E-stop architecture — per the design provided and to safe engineering practice
  • Document as you go: as-built schematics, I/O lists, tag documentation, test records
Core qualifications
  • Practical controls or automation engineering experience in manufacturing, industrial equipment, or process automation
  • Hands-on Allen-Bradley / Rockwell PLC programming, production-grade
  • Hands-on Ignition, or a comparable SCADA/HMI platform with demonstrated ability to transition
  • Able to program, configure, and stand up a control system from the ground up
  • Control-panel design: electrical schematics, component selection, panel build or installation support
  • Strong troubleshooting across PLC logic, instrumentation, electrical systems, HMI/SCADA, and connected equipment
  • Comfortable in 480 VAC 3-phase industrial environments; understands grounding, protection, and panel safety practice
  • Reads and marks up P&IDs, one-lines, and mechanical drawings
  • Collaborative and adaptable — small close-knit team, rapidly changing priorities
  • Able to work on-site across Marina, Watsonville, and Santa Cruz, and authorized to work in the US
Preferred experience
  • Thermal-process equipment: autoclaves, ovens, furnaces, presses, induction heating, or other temperature-controlled process systems
  • Watlow controllers (F4T / EZ-Zone) and SCR power controllers
  • Thermocouple theory, calibration, and multi-zone uniformity survey work
  • AMS2750 thermal processing, NADCAP, or equivalent regulated-process exposure
  • Ignition Perspective and Edge development; Ignition certification (Core or Gold)
  • SQL / time-series historians; PLC-to-database data capture
  • Beckhoff PLCs and TwinCAT; FactoryTalk and related Rockwell software
  • AutoCAD Electrical or EPLAN
  • UL 508A panel practice
  • Industrial safety systems, robotics integration, commissioning
  • Aerospace, automotive, food, pharmaceutical, HVAC, or other process-equipment industry
EducationA degree in electrical engineering, controls, automation, mechatronics, or a related discipline is helpful but not required. Equivalent hands-on experience and demonstrated technical capability will be considered. A strong panel-and-PLC delivery record in any regulated manufacturing environment outweighs a specific diploma.Success in this role
  • Shortens equipment development and implementation timelines
  • Delivers reliable, maintainable controls that integrate with our existing platform
  • Responds effectively when equipment needs change or urgent customization is required
  • Builds trust quickly and contributes within a small engineering team
Working conditionsManufacturing floor environment. PPE required. Some work at elevation and in confined equipment spaces. Occasional travel to vendor and integrator sites.
 
As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Please note: The following benefits reflect Kelly's general offerings. Eligibility may vary by assignment, location, and job type. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Why Kelly® Engineering?

Your engineering skills are in demand, but how do you find the right fit? Easy. At Kelly Engineering, our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. We connect you with leading organizations where you can collaborate on innovative projects, work with cutting-edge technologies and accelerate your growth. Whether you prefer the variety and flexibility of short-term projects or are looking for a long-term opportunity, we’re here to guide you to the next step in your engineering career.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life-just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.
Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice.