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Protection Engineer Jobs in Pennsylvania (NOW HIRING)

Solution Staffing, Inc

Fire Alarm Designer

Exton, PA · On-site +1

... Engineering graduates that are interested in growing in the Fire Protection Field. Position offers an excellent compensation package that includes excellent salary and benefits, and an ESOP plan that ...

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All JobsProtection Engineer JobsProtection Engineer Jobs in Pennsylvania

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 18, 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 Pennsylvania? For Protection Engineer jobs in Pennsylvania, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Protection Engineer jobs in Pennsylvania look for? The top searched job categories for Protection Engineer jobs in Pennsylvania are:
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:
Protection Engineer jobs near you
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 Design Engineer

Plumbing Design Engineer

EPC STAFF Acquisition and Development, LLC

Pittsburgh, PA • Hybrid

$100K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Plumbing & Fire Protection Engineer

Pittsburgh (Downtown, basically where the 3 rivers meet)

Direct Hire/ Permanent Placement

$100k – $140k, Bonuses, Full benefits, Hybrid (2 days in office and flexible) 401k match, tuition reimbursement, etc.

THE CLIENT

This particular client is a small- mid-sized firm who have been around for >100 years and work on a variety of projects including: Mission Critical/ Data Centers, Hospitals, Co-generation, Microgrids, Warehouse, and Office.

OVERVIEW

The ideal Candidate will be a part of a succession plan and take the reins from the Dept. Manager in the next year. You will still be hands on with design/ production and also go onsite and visit clients.

 

ROLE/ RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plumbing and Fire Protection systems design and drawings

• Calculations of water, gas, sanitary

• Project management, work plans, research, codes

 

REQUIRED/ HIGHLY PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Mostly AutoCAD, some Revit

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Architectural Engineering, or similar (preferred)

• E.I.T., P.E., LEED, WELL, CPD, and/ or Professional Fire Protection Engineer license (preferred)