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Protection Engineer Jobs in Phoenix, AZ (NOW HIRING)

APS

System Protection Engineer III/Senior

Phoenix, AZ

$103K - $142K/yr

Summary The System Protection Engineer III/Senior is responsible for specifying, designing, and implementing protection schemes for the transmission system and substations. This role performs complex ...

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Protection Engineer information

See Phoenix, AZ salary details

$67K

$117.2K

$182.7K

How much do protection engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for protection engineer in Phoenix, AZ is $117,207.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $101,800.00 and $129,100.00 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 Phoenix, AZ? For Protection Engineer jobs in Phoenix, AZ, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Protection Engineer jobs in Phoenix, AZ look for? The top searched job categories for Protection Engineer jobs in Phoenix, AZ are:
Protection Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Protection Engineer job openings in Phoenix, AZ as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $117,207 per year, or $56.3 per hour.

Regional Practice Leader, Fire Protection Engineering

Telgian Engineering & Consulting, LLC

Phoenix, AZ • On-site

$80K - $109K/yr

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

If you are looking for a place to put your leadership and engineering expertise to the test with a growing company leader, this is the job for you! As a Regional Practice Leader (RPL) you will be a key member of Telgian Engineering and Consulting (TEC), working to develop a team of Fire Protection Engineers as we continue to grow!

Your Opportunity

The RPL provides leadership, business development, fire protection engineering and consultation services that support highly variable and diverse project scopes for Telgian clients as part of a multi-discipline team. More specifically, you will:

  • Provide overall leadership of an established operating region.
  • Work directly with an Assistant Regional Practice Leader to ensure efficient completion of work using established performance metrics.
  • Contact potential clients to establish rapport and arrange meetings.
  • Research organizations and individuals to find new opportunities.
  • Increase the value of current customers while attracting new ones.
  • Find and develop new markets and improve sales.
  • Attend conferences, meetings, and industry events.
  • Work with an established business development team to develop quotes and proposals for clients.
  • Maintain a working knowledge of relevant fire protection, risk, building codes and constructions technologies; identify trends and recommends proactive solutions to meet/exceed requirement
Your Qualifications
  • 5+ years of working experience in the Architecture/Engineering field required; 4-year college degree – Architecture/Engineering a plus;
  • 5+ years of sales experience preferred;
  • 5+ years of management experience preferred;
  • Professional Engineer (PE) certified or willing to obtain, a plus;
  • Fire protection related NICET certification a plus;
  • Certified Fire Protection Specialist a plus
Your Compensation and Benefits

At Telgian, we are proud to offer a unique, professional work environment where we consider all of our associates to be part of our family. We provide a competitive salary, a comprehensive benefits package with market leading (low!) health-care costs, and a place to advance your career. More importantly as a values driven organization, at Telgian you will be treated with dignity while having fun in your work!

About Telgian Engineering & Consulting

Telgian Engineering & Consulting (TEC) is a full service global engineering and risk mitigation consultancy specializing in complex, multi-discipline public and private sector projects. TEC provides professional services related to the protection of people, property, information and organizational mission against preventable losses. TEC professional service offerings include emergency management / operations continuity, environmental / health / safety, fire protection engineering / life safety, risk management / loss control, security / compliance, and related engineering services / sustainable (LEED) design.