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Protection & Controls Engineer Jobs in Tennessee

Smiths Group

Industrial Controls Engineer

Cookeville, TN

$71.30K - $92.30K/yr

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Industrial Controls Engineer to join our Innovation Team ... other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values ...

Smiths Group

Industrial Controls Engineer

Cookeville, TN · On-site

$71.30K - $92.30K/yr

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Industrial Controls Engineer to join our Innovation Team ... other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values ...

Magna

Controls Engineer

Ethridge, TN

$76.60K - $99.10K/yr

Through our robust product engineering, outstanding tooling capabilities and diverse process ... data protection policies. Under conditions defined by applicable law, you may have the right to ...

Hitachi

Controls Engineer II

Nashville, TN

$80.70K - $104.30K/yr

Our Controls Engineering teams are made of talented engineers who enjoy thinking outside the box ... Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE)-Females/Minorities/Protected Veterans/Individuals with ...

Wood Plc

Electrical Controls Engineer II

Nashville, TN

$77.30K - $103.40K/yr

... for a Controls Engineer II with extensive experience in our Nashville (Smyrna), TN office ... identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant ...

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$49.9K

$87.7K

$118.9K

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

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for protection & controls engineer in Tennessee is $87,652.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,800.00 and $98,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Protection & Controls Engineer job?

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Protection & Controls Engineer position, and why are they important?

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 the typical daily responsibilities of a Protection & Controls Engineer?

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.
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Protection Controls Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Protection & Controls Engineer job openings in Tennessee as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 5% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 78% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,652 per year, or $42.1 per hour.

Controls Engineer (Power & Utilities)

BNH

Arnold Air Force Base, TN • On-site

$8/hr

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Overview
Job Title: Controls Engineer (Power & Utilities)
Location: Arnold AFB, Tennessee
Job Family Code: O-Engineering
Function/Branch: Engineering / Utilities
Directorate: Asset Management
Position Type: Regular, Full-Time
Pay Type: Exempt
Grade (provided by HR): L07 (OA0768) - L08 (OA0861)
Salary Range or Starting Hourly Rate (provided by HR): L07: $78,000 - $90,000; L08 $88,000 - $110,000
Who We Are
Beyond New Horizons (BNH) is a fully populated joint venture of Astrion and Fluor Federal Services, Inc. formed to provide unmatched Test Operations and Sustainment services for the Arnold Engineering Development Complex.
Our name honors the legacy of AEDC's Toward New Horizons founding study. BNH expands AEDC's capacity by leveraging our parent companies' expertise in military and space system testing. We deliver proven results in large-scale program management, engineering, and construction for technically advanced, high-hazard facilities.
Overview
Beyond New Horizons, LLC (BNH) has a unique opportunity for a Controls Engineer to support critical national defense infrastructure at Arnold AFB, TN. As part of our Test Operations and Sustainment (TOS) II team, you will play a direct role in maintaining and modernizing the complex utility systems that power America's most advanced aerospace testing facilities.
**If you are seeing this posting on a job board, BNH highly recommends you apply directly on the Careers Center page of our business website (https://careers-bnh.icims.com/jobs). Job board applications are not always compatible with company applicant tracking systems. **
Open to internal and external candidates
Job Summary
We are seeking a proactive and technically skilled Controls Engineer to join our Power Control group. This role is responsible for the engineering and technical oversight of utility control and monitoring systems which are critical to the distribution of electrical power and other utilities to our test facilities. While this position involves some office work, a significant portion of the time is spent in the field and test areas requiring a proactive, hands-on approach to problem identification, problem solving, and system commissioning.
What you will do in the role:
  • Serve as the engineering point of contact for utility control and monitoring systems, including PLC/DCS platforms from vendors like GE, Schneider Electric, Rockwell, and ABB
  • Manage and maintain the control systems for the electrical distribution system, water treatment plant, wastewater treatment plant, Elk River Dam, cooling water plants, and steam plant
  • Maintain and support the control systems for other critical plant utilities including the steam plant and large scale compressed air systems
  • Oversee utility instrumentation, including data collection from water, steam, and electric meters used for billing. This includes leading the implementation and optimization of a new Schneider HMI-based meter reading and data collection system
  • Manage the lifecycle of the base-wide Energy Monitoring and Control System (EMCS), including planning for future upgrades and ensuring the reliability of critical monitoring points.
  • Provide hands-on support for field commissioning, system testing, and troubleshooting of control systems and instrumentation
  • Interface with Air Force (AF) counterparts to ensure control systems comply with DoD network and cybersecurity directives
  • Collaborate with and provide technical guidance to Instrument Technicians and Utility Supervisors on maintenance, repairs, and system programming
  • Support capital investment projects for control systems through the entire project lifecycle, from design to final commissioning
  • It is a condition of employment to wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) in accordance with supervisory direction and company policy.
  • Perform other duties as required.

Basic Qualifications:
  • BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline plus a minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience with PLC, DCS, and/or SCADA systems in an industrial, utility, or manufacturing environment
  • Direct experience programming and troubleshooting systems from vendors such as Rockwell (Allen-Bradley), Schneider Electric, GE, or ABB
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense Secret level security clearance and access to the AEDC local area network
  • Due to Air Force Security requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required for employment at AEDC

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Strong understanding of industrial communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, DNP3, Ethernet/IP)
  • Proficiency in one or more IEC 61131-3 PLC programming languages (Ladder Logic, Structured Text, Function Block Diagram).
  • Experience with programming environments such as Rockwell Studio 5000, Schneider Unity Pro, or GE Proficy Machine Edition.
  • Familiarity with DoD/Air Force cybersecurity requirements, such as the Risk Management Framework (RMF) or STIGs for control systems.
  • Knowledge of secure industrial network architecture concepts (e.g., network segmentation, firewalls) in an OT environment.
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license or Engineer in Training (EIT) certification.
  • Professional certifications such as ISA CAP, GICSP, or vendor-specific credentials (e.g., Rockwell Automation Certified, Schneider Electric EcoStruxure) are highly desirable.

What We Offer
  • Competitive salaries
  • Continuing education assistance
  • Multiple healthcare benefits packages
  • 401K with employer matching
  • Paid time off (PTO) along with a federally recognized holiday schedule

Join our Team!
U.S. Citizenship is required. At this time BNH will not sponsor any applicants for employment authorization or offer any immigration related support for this position (i.e. H1b, F1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, E-2, E-3, L-1, or other forms of work authorization that require immigration support from an employer).
The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations and refers to the amount BNH is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time jobs will be adjusted based upon the number of hours agreed to work.
L07: $78,000 - $90,000; L08: $88,000 - $110,000
at Arnold AFB, TN
BNH is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, and any other grounds for discrimination prohibited by applicable law.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

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