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Protection Engineer Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

Legence

Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineer

Framingham, MA · 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 ...

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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 Jul 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for protection engineer in Boston, MA is $128,236.00, 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 engineers make $500,000?

Protection engineers, especially those in senior or specialized roles such as electrical or power systems engineers, can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and profit sharing. High compensation typically requires extensive experience, advanced certifications, and work in industries like energy, utilities, or large infrastructure projects.

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.

Can you make $500,000 as an electrical engineer?

Protection engineers, a specialized role within electrical engineering, can potentially earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership positions. However, such high salaries are typically found in senior roles, consulting, or in industries like power transmission and large-scale infrastructure, and are not common for entry-level positions.

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 appropriate protective devices like relays and circuit breakers, and use specialized software to coordinate protection schemes. Certification and knowledge of electrical standards are often required in this role.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Protection engineers, especially those with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and expertise in high-demand industries like power systems or cybersecurity, can earn $300,000 or more annually. Senior roles often require specialized skills, leadership responsibilities, and working in high-stakes environments or large organizations.

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 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 June 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,236 per year, or $61.7 per hour.
Senior Plumbing / Fire Protection Engineer

Senior Plumbing / Fire Protection Engineer

Salas O'Brien, Inc.

Boston, MA

$90K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Lead the design and delivery of plumbing and fire protection systems across all project phases.

  • Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and quality oversight to plumbing and fire protection design staff.

  • Collaborate with architects, owners, contractors, and authorities having jurisdiction to resolve technical and code-related issues.

Salas O'Brien rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

261st of 357 rated engineering

Job description

RFS Engineering is now a Salas O'Brien Company

Senior Plumbing / Fire Protection Engineer

Job Summary: The Senior Plumbing & Fire Protection Engineer leads the design and coordination of plumbing and fire protection systems for complex building projects. This role provides technical leadership, ensures code-compliant and constructible designs, and collaborates closely with multidisciplinary teams, clients, and project stakeholders. The ideal candidate brings deep consulting engineering experience, strong leadership capabilities, and a commitment to quality and safety in building systems design.

Responsibilities:

  • Lead the design and delivery of plumbing and fire protection systems across all project phases
  • Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and quality oversight to plumbing and fire protection design staff
  • Design and coordinate plumbing systems, including domestic water, sanitary, storm, and specialty piping systems
  • Design and coordinate fire protection systems, including sprinkler and standpipe systems
  • Perform and review fire protection hydraulic calculations using industry-standard software
  • Develop construction documents using Autodesk Revit and ensure coordination with other building systems
  • Ensure compliance with applicable state and national building, plumbing, and fire codes
  • Collaborate with architects, owners, contractors, and authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) to resolve technical and code-related issues
  • Participate in site visits, construction administration, and field coordination as needed
  • Support project planning, scheduling, and technical decision-making

Qualifications and Experience:

  • Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) or Mechanical Engineering Technology (BSMET) required
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in consulting engineering with demonstrated plumbing and fire protection system design expertise
  • Proven leadership experience managing and guiding design teams
  • Proficiency in Autodesk Revit required
  • Experience with fire protection hydraulic calculation software required
  • Strong knowledge of applicable state and national plumbing and fire protection codes
  • Professional Engineer (PE) or Engineer-in-Training (EIT) preferred
  • LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) or ability to obtain preferred
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with comfort in client-facing environments

Location: Boston, MA, Laconia, NH or Portland, ME

Travel: Up to 20%

Compensation & Benefits:

The expected base salary range for this role is $90,000-$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:

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.

Third-Party Agency Notice

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 provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.

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