1

Protection Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineer

Framingham, MA ยท On-site

$87K - $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 ...

Be Seen First

We are seeking a Plumbing & Fire Protection Engineer to join a leading multidisciplinary firm with over 50 years of experience providing cutting-edge solutions across diverse sectors, including ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Protection Engineer information

See Boston, MA salary details

$73.1K

$127.8K

$199.3K

How much do protection engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for protection engineer in Boston, MA is $127,846.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,000.00 and $140,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

Infographic showing various Protection Engineer job openings in Boston, MA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,846 per year, or $61.5 per hour.
Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineer

Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineer

Legence

Framingham, MA โ€ข On-site

$87K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

CMTA, a Legence company
CMTA is one of the fastest growing engineering firms in the U.S., with nationally recognized expertise in sustainable, high-performance building engineering. We are a collaborative, innovative, and energetic team that leverages a data-driven, holistic approach to consulting engineering, performance contracting, and zero energy projects. We focus on finding engineers whose skills and personalities drive them to excel, fostering a workplace that provides unparalleled growth and career opportunities.
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 Protection and Plumbing Engineers on energy efficient projects for various clients. Our ideal candidate should be a self-motivated individual with a technical background who thrives on resolving challenges, assisting clients, and leading all phases of the project.
This position entails providing workable solutions designing plumbing and fire protection systems for buildings from the design phase through the construction administration phase as needed.
Responsibilities could involve the following:
  • Plumbing design of piping and equipment selection for plumbing, pressurized gasses and fire protection systems for building design.
  • Produce detailed layout and equipment details of fire protection/sprinkler systems including fire pumps, mains, standpipes, flow controls and sprinkler head layout.
  • Produce Life Safety, Fire Alarm, and Fire suppression plans along with the required calculations, specifications, and project narratives for federal projects.
  • Reading and interpreting blueprints, technical drawings, and schematics.
  • Generating electronic response to questions and reviews.
  • Attending meetings with owners, clients, and architects.
  • Providing guidance to staff engineers as to the appropriate energy efficient designs to be implemented in various projects.
  • Reviewing contractor submittals and shop drawings to determine conformance with contract documents and applicable Codes.
  • Evaluating, selecting and applying standard engineering techniques, procedures, and calculations to perform equipment research, piping layout, and pipe sizing.
  • Conferring with other engineers and other personnel to implement operating procedures; resolve system deficiencies, and provide technical information.
  • Researching and analyzing client design proposal specifications, manuals, and other criteria to evaluate the feasibility, cost, and maintenance requirements of the design or application.
  • Specifying system components or directing modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design and performance.
  • Developing client relations through feedback to design engineers on customer concerns and needs.

Desired Experience:
  • 5+ years of experience
  • Knowledge of building life safety, fire, mechanical and plumbing codes including ICC Standards, NFPA Codes and Standards, FM Global, and Federal Standards (UFC, GSA, VA)
  • Excellent communication skills
  • AutoCAD and REVIT proficiency
  • MS Office proficiency, and
  • Ability to travel across the country for field work at client sites
  • Knowledge or familiarity with Performance-based design requirements for life safety and fire protection systems
  • Ability to plan and direct contractor activities during system testing and start-up of life safety and fire protection systems

Desired Education:
  • Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Fire Protection Engineering, Architectural Engineering or Certificate in Engineering
  • Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Engineer in Training (EIT) in preferred

#LI-CM1 #LI-Onsite
About Legence
Legence (Nasdaq: LGN) is a leading provider of engineering, consulting, installation, and maintenance services for mission-critical systems in buildings. The company specializes in designing, fabricating, and installing complex HVAC, process piping, and other mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems-enhancing energy efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in new and existing facilities. Legence also delivers long-term performance through strategic upgrades and holistic solutions. Serving some of the world's most technically demanding sectors, Legence counts over 60% of the Nasdaq-100 Index among its clients.
Benefits Overview
401(k) Plan with Company Match: Currently match contributions dollar-for-dollar up to 4% of eligible pay; immediate vesting.
Health & Welfare Benefits: Employer provided medical, dental, vision, prescription drug, Employee Assistance Program and accident & illness coverage.
Life and Disability Insurance: Employer provided basic life insurance and AD&D valued at 50K coverage amount with the option for voluntary buy up for additional coverage.
Time Off: Flexible non-accrual vacation; company holidays per policy. (For California employees, this is separate from California paid sick leave, if applicable.)
Expenses: Business travel and related expenses reimbursed per company policy.
Reasonable Accommodations
If you need assistance or accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact us at ta@wearelegence.com or your dedicated recruiter with the job title and requisition number.
Employment Eligibility
Candidates must have current work authorization in the U.S.; visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Third-Party Recruiting Disclaimer
Legence and its affiliates do not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies; any such submissions without a prior signed agreement authorized by Legence Holdings LLC's CHRO or Director of Talent Acquisition will not incur fees and are considered property of Legence.
Pay Disclosure & Considerations
Where pay ranges are indicated, please note that a successful candidate's exact pay will be determined based relevant job-related factors, including any of the following: candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications, as well as geographic and market considerations. We are committed to ensuring fair and competitive compensation for all employees and comply with all applicable salary transparency laws.
Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
Legence and its affiliate companies are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), marital or familial status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, other non-merit-based factors, and any other characteristic protected under applicable local, state or federal laws and regulations.
EEO is the Law