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Protection Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

legence

Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

CMTA's Boston office is seeking a Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineer with at least 5 years of experience in plumbing design and fire protection design. This person will work closely with our Fire ...

Stantec

Fire Protection EIT

Burlington, MA · On-site

$90K - $121K/yr

Our architects, engineers, interior designers, consultants, sustainability specialists, and ... Fire Protection Engineers (FPEs) protect lives and property. They plan and design engineering ...

Legence

Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

This person will work closely with our Fire Protection and Plumbing Engineers on energy efficient projects for various clients. Our ideal candidate should be a self-motivated individual with a ...

ABB

Protection and Control Engineer

Billerica, MA · Remote

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 ...

ABB

Protection and Control Engineer

Burlington, MA · Remote

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 ...

ABB

Protection and Control Engineer

MA · Remote

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 ...

ABB

Protection and Control Engineer

MA · Remote

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 ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsProtection Engineer JobsProtection Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA

Protection Engineer information

See Boston, MA salary details

$73.3K

$128.2K

$199.9K

How much do protection engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for protection engineer in Boston, MA is $128,243.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,400.00 and $141,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a protection engineer 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 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 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 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.

Are fire protection engineers in demand?

Fire protection engineers are in demand due to ongoing safety regulations and the need for building code compliance. They work in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and consulting, often requiring certifications like NICET or PE licensure. Employment prospects are generally strong, especially in regions with strict safety standards and infrastructure development.

How much do protection engineers make in the US?

Protection engineers in the US typically earn a median annual salary of around $80,000 to $110,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior roles or those with specialized skills and certifications can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $130,000 annually.

What are popular job titles related to Protection Engineer jobs in Boston, MA?

For Protection Engineer jobs in Boston, MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Protection Engineer jobs in Boston, MA look for?

The top searched job categories for Protection Engineer jobs in Boston, MA are:

Protection Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Protection Engineer job openings in Boston, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 74% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 24% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,846 per year, or $61.5 per hour.

Senior Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineer

Salas O'Brien

Newton, MA • On-site

$114K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago

Salas O'Brien rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

162nd of 453 rated engineering

Job description

Senior Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineer - Newton, MA
Our office in Newton, MA is seeking a Senior Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineer to work in a fast-paced multi-discipline team environment. Our Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineers are responsible for designing building plumbing and fire protection systems for institutional, educational, industrial, and commercial projects, including college campuses, hospitals, labs, and central plants.
Essential Job Functions and Primary Responsibilities
As a Senior Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineer, you will be responsible for:
  • Plumbing and piping system design including domestic/potable water system design, domestic hot water systems design, sanitary sewer system design, storm water system design, medical and specialty gas system design, pure water system design, and natural gas system design.
  • Fire Protection and piping system design including system selection, service sizing, preliminary hydraulic calculations, piping and head layouts, standpipe design, fire pump design, and specialty fire protection systems.
  • Plumbing and Fire Protection engineering calculations, equipment sizing and selection, system layout and coordination.
  • Reading and understanding construction documents, floor plans, specifications and equipment details.
  • Drawing production and Building Information Modeling (BIM).
  • Applying knowledge of building codes and industry standards.
  • Writing and editing specifications, reports, narratives and surveys.
  • Attending external meetings to obtain design input information and ensuring that all facets of the plumbing systems are correctly coordinated.
  • Performing site visits and issuing reviews and reports, surveying existing buildings and identifying plumbing and fire protection systems and components, reviewing equipment submittals, and responding to contractor questions.

Your Background
To succeed in this role, you need to meet the following basic requirements:
  • Minimum of 8 to 10 years of experience in plumbing and fire protection design.
  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent science/technology degree preferred.
  • Licensed/certified Professional Engineer, EIT, and/or CPD or ability to achieve licensing/certification preferred.
  • Ability to design and coordinate in Revit.
  • Detailed knowledge of building codes and industry standards.
  • Efficient in MS Office, Outlook, and engineering calculations.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Creative thinker with effective teamwork skills.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced multi-discipline team environment.
  • Ability to prioritize tasks effectively in the face of shifting projects and deadlines.
  • A confident and positive attitude with colleagues and clients.

Compensation & Benefits:
The expected base salary range for this role is $114,000 - $140,000 USD per year. Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location.
This role is also eligible for performance-based bonuses, and a comprehensive U.S. based benefits package, including:
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Paid time off and company holidays
  • Wellness programs and employee assistance resources
  • Professional development support

For more information, visit our full benefits overview here.
About Us:
At Salas O'Brien we tell our clients that we're engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That's why we're committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.
Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career-and they'll receive great total rewards along the way.
Founded in 1975, Salas O'Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow's requirements are today's opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.
We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.
Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.
Salas O'Brien does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiters or agencies. We only work with approved partners engaged directly by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Unsolicited submissions will not be eligible for placement fees.
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
Salas O'Brien is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to a work environment that supports, inspires, and respects all individuals and in which personnel processes are merit-based and applied without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, national or ethnic origin, military service status, citizenship, or other protected characteristic.
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.

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