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Protection & Controls Engineer Jobs in Philadelphia, PA

Controls Engineer

Philadelphia, PA ยท On-site

$100K - $125K/yr

ENR top 500 firm We have a Controls Engineer opportunity in Philadelphia, PA. This person will be ... Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants ...

Senior Controls Engineer

Philadelphia, PA ยท On-site +1

$115K - $155K/yr

For more than 65 years, we've turned big ideas into solutions that help protect homes, strengthen ... The Senior Controls Engineer serves as the technical lead for advanced microgrid control system ...

Controls Engineer, III

Warminster, PA

$83K - $107K/yr

The Controls Engineer III role is responsible for designing, programming, implementing, and ... Report defect in any equipment or protective device. * Ensure that the required protective ...

Industrial Controls Engineer

Philadelphia, PA ยท On-site

$76K - $99K/yr

The Industrial Controls Systems Engineer will develop, design, and life cycle manage complex ... protection. * Employees must be able to work in varying environmental conditions including extreme ...

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Protection Controls Engineer information

See Philadelphia, PA salary details

$55.5K

$97.5K

$132.2K

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

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for protection & controls engineer in Philadelphia, PA is $97,451.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,300.00 and $109,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 popular job titles related to Protection & Controls Engineer jobs in Philadelphia, PA? For Protection & Controls Engineer jobs in Philadelphia, PA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Protection & Controls Engineer jobs in Philadelphia, PA look for? The top searched job categories for Protection & Controls Engineer jobs in Philadelphia, PA are:
Infographic showing various Protection & Controls Engineer job openings in Philadelphia, PA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,451 per year, or $46.9 per hour.

Controls Engineer

Wunderlich-Malec

Philadelphia, PA โ€ข On-site

$100K - $125K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering (WM) is a 100% employee-owned ESOP and one of the largest and most well-established engineering companies in the United States. When you join WM you become part of a company that is:
  • 100% employee-owned with 40+ years of industry history
  • A Top 5 Systems Integrator Giant
  • ENR top 500 firm

We have a Controls Engineer opportunity in Philadelphia, PA. This person will be delivering automation systems for Life Science and Pharmaceutical projects along with other industries in the Trenton area. This position requires demonstrated technical proficiency in implementing automation solutions with PLC, HMI, SCADA, and DCS/Delta V platforms. This person will interact directly with the customer and lead a team of Wunderlich-Malec engineers in identifying requirements, developing specifications, and implementing/testing/commissioning/qualifying automation solutions. This is a leadership role within the business unit and requires strong problem-solving ability, well-balanced people skills, an aptitude for business efficiency, and an interest in creating partnerships. The Mid- or Senior Controls Engineer demonstrates success by securing repeat work with both new and existing customers.
Major Responsibilities
  • This position requires the ability to deliver innovative automation solutions and design standards either self-directed or as a leader of a team. The candidate must have the ability to conceptualize, detail, and implement control systems for industrial processes and machinery that meet our customer's requirements. This involves the development of a control system architecture, selecting the components to be used, detailing schematic diagrams and system documentation, programming controllers (PLC), programming the process visualization (HMI/SCADA), developing databases for archiving/displaying historical system data and implementing/commissioning the control system at the client's facility. Knowledge of controller programming languages such as Ladder, Sequential Function Chart, Structured Text, and others to achieve the desired results is required. Also having knowledge of standard programming languages such as VBA, .NET, and SQL and Python for the development of HMI/SCADA systems is preferred
  • For larger systems, experience with industrial networking used to connect control system components and instrumentation is preferred. The Controls Engineer would design, detail, and implement a variety of fiber, wired and wireless systems using industrial protocols (Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus, etc.).
  • The ideal candidate must have a diverse engineering skillset with the ability to work independently. Will act as technical lead on projects and guide lower-level engineers and technicians. Could also act as Project Manager on smaller projects

Minimum Requirements
Education Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical/Control Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Computer Science or equal experience.
Experience Greater than 5 years with capabilities in below areas is preferred:
  • In-depth understanding of PLC hardware/software platforms such as Rockwell Automation, Siemens, and Modicon
  • In-depth understanding of SCADA software Inductive Automation Ignition
  • Experience in industries such as Life Sciences, Building Automation, or Water Treatment
  • Experience with AutoCAD is also desired
  • Professional references, preferably one from each of the following: a subordinate, a peer, and a manager
  • Ability to travel up to 25%

Physical Demands of Position Seeing, color perception, hearing, clear speech, dexterity in hands, driving, lifting, ability to mount/dismount equipment, pushing and pulling.
Working Environment Standard office environment, on-site office environment, diverse industrial environments, frequent use of a personal computer, facsimile/copy machines, and phones.
*Job Descriptions are not exhaustive lists of all skills, responsibilities, or efforts associated with a job. They reflect principal job elements essential for performing the job and evaluating performance.
Wunderlich-Malec is proud to offer a comprehensive employee-owner benefit package. Full-time employees may be eligible for the following benefits: Medical โ€ข Dental โ€ข Vision โ€ข Basic and Supplemental Life and AD&D โ€ข Long Term Disability โ€ข Voluntary Short Term Disability โ€ข Healthcare & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts โ€ข Health Savings Account โ€ข Paid Time Off (PTO) โ€ข Paid Holidays โ€ข Tuition Reimbursement โ€ข Referral Bonus Program โ€ข 401(k)/Profit Sharing โ€ข 100% ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) โ€ข Employee Assistance Program โ€ข Will Preparation Resources โ€ข Worldwide Travel Assistance
Salary Range The expected salary range is $100,000 - $125,000 depending on experience and qualifications plus a discretionary bonus and employee stock program.
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Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.