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Protection Engineer Jobs in Pennsylvania (NOW HIRING)

As a Protection & Control Engineer, you will have the opportunity to act as the technical lead for all engineering activities in assignments. Each day, you will ensure the activities related to all ...

As a Protection & Control Engineer, you will have the opportunity to act as the technical lead for all engineering activities in assignments. Each day, you will ensure the activities related to all ...

Fire Protection Engineering is an interdisciplinary field that incorporates mechanical (fire sprinklers, standpipes, smoke control systems), electrical (fire alarm, mass notification, and security ...

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Protection Engineer information

See Pennsylvania salary details

$67.7K

$118.3K

$184.4K

How much do protection engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for protection engineer in Pennsylvania is $118,327.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,700.00 and $130,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $500,000?

Protection engineers, especially those in senior or specialized roles within power systems or electrical infrastructure, can earn $500,000 or more annually, often with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership responsibilities. High compensation is typically associated with senior positions in large companies or consulting firms, and may include bonuses and stock options.

What are some common challenges faced by Protection Engineers when coordinating with other departments during system upgrades?

Protection Engineers often collaborate closely with operations, maintenance, and control systems teams during system upgrades. One common challenge is ensuring timely communication and alignment on protection scheme modifications to prevent miscoordination or power outages. Additionally, Protection Engineers must balance the technical requirements of relay settings and protection logic with practical constraints such as equipment availability and outage windows. Proactive planning and clear documentation are key to overcoming these challenges and ensuring a smooth, safe upgrade process.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Protection engineers, especially those with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and expertise in power systems and electrical safety, can earn $200,000 or more annually. Senior roles in industries like energy, utilities, or consulting firms often offer such high salaries, particularly for those managing large projects or teams.

What does a protection engineer do?

A protection engineer designs, implements, and maintains electrical protection systems to ensure the safety and reliability of power systems. They analyze system faults, select protective devices like relays and circuit breakers, and perform testing to prevent equipment damage and outages. Knowledge of electrical standards and tools such as relay coordination software is essential for this role.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Protection engineers, especially those with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and expertise in high-voltage systems or specialized industries, can earn $300,000 or more annually. Senior engineers in fields like electrical, software, or systems engineering working in high-demand sectors or leadership roles are more likely to reach this salary level.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Protection Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Protection Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, power systems analysis, and relay protection principles, often backed by a relevant engineering degree and, in some cases, a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Familiarity with industry-standard protection coordination software (like ETAP or SEL), SCADA systems, and standards such as IEEE or IEC is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for troubleshooting and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These skills ensure the safe, reliable operation of power systems and help prevent outages or equipment failures.

What do Protection Engineers do?

Protection Engineers are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining systems that protect electrical power systems from faults and failures. They develop and coordinate protection schemes to detect abnormal conditions, such as short circuits, and ensure quick disconnection to minimize damage and maintain system stability. Protection Engineers also analyze system disturbances, test protective relays, and work closely with other engineers to ensure the reliability and safety of electrical infrastructure.

What is the difference between Protection Engineer vs Electrical Engineer?

AspectProtection EngineerElectrical Engineer
CertificationsPE, EIT, IEEE certificationsPE, EIT, IEEE certifications
Work EnvironmentPower plants, substations, utility companiesDesign, develop, and test electrical systems across industries
Industry UsagePower systems, utilities, transmission & distributionBroad electrical systems, electronics, manufacturing

Protection Engineers focus on designing and maintaining systems that protect electrical infrastructure from faults, ensuring safety and reliability. Electrical Engineers have a broader scope, working on various electrical systems, including power, electronics, and control systems. While both roles require similar credentials and often work in the same environments, Protection Engineers specialize in system protection and relays, whereas Electrical Engineers may work on system design, analysis, and development across multiple sectors.

What are popular job titles related to Protection Engineer jobs in PA? For Protection Engineer jobs in PA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Protection Engineer job openings in Pennsylvania as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 85% Physical, 7% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $118,327 per year, or $56.9 per hour.
Plumbing/Fire Protection Engineer

Plumbing/Fire Protection Engineer

STV Incorporated

Philadelphia, PA • On-site

$95K - $109K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

STV currently has an opening in our Philadelphia office for a senior Plumbing/Fire Protection Engineer. Key responsibilities include the preparation of Plumbing and Fire Protection designs, calculations, cost estimates, reports and specifications for building focused projects. Additional responsibilities will include conducting field surveys, meeting with clients to discuss project matters and making recommendations when necessary, based on the clients' needs. This position will oversee engineers, designers and drafters who may be located in either Douglassville or Philadelphia offices and the mentoring of junior engineers.
The Buildings Division provides design services to both public agencies and private corporations. Current projects include public transit terminals and transportation maintenance facilities; municipal buildings such as public work facilities; light commercial / retail; correctional facilities; manufacturing; law enforcement; public health; and both K-12 and higher education buildings.
Required Skills:
The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. Required skills include AutoCAD, REVIT, Performance of Hydraulic Calculations, specification writing, familiarity with applicable building codes, and familiarity with cost estimating. Experience with Microstation and Bentley 3D is a plus. LEED AP, CPD, or NICET certifications are also a plus.
Required Experience:
Successful candidate will have:
  • 7 years of relevant experience designing wide variety of facilities for industrial, commercial, educational, institutional and governmental projects.
  • Experience should be with all the systems associated with Plumbing and Fire Protection including Sanitary, Storm, Domestic Water, Natural Gas, compressed air, Wet/Dry/Pre-action Sprinkler systems and Fire Standpipe systems.
  • Focused experience with industrial projects, state agency projects, and/or local municipal projects is a plus.
  • Good planning, organizational and communications skills are necessary for success in this position.

Compensation Range:
$95,975.90 - $109,686.74
STV offers the following benefits • Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account • Dental insurance • Vision insurance • Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable) • Disability insurance • Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment • 401(k) Plan • Retirement Counseling • Employee Assistance Program • Paid Time Off (starting at 16 days) • Paid Holidays (9 days) • Back-Up Dependent Care (up to 10 days per year) • Parental Leave (up to 80 hours) • Continuing Education Program • Professional Licensure and Society Memberships
STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV's good-faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.
Not sure this role is the perfect match? We encourage you to apply if STV's work and values resonate with you. We know great candidates don't always meet every qualification, and research shows women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they do. At STV, we believe strong talent comes from a wide range of backgrounds, and your skills and experience may align with this or another opportunity as we continue to grow.