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System Protection Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$84 - $160/hr

As a Power System Protection Engineer, you will be responsible for providing expert technical support and solutions for power system protection schemes. Your role will involve teaching, advising, and ...

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$53.5K

$127.2K

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How much do system protection engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for system protection engineer in the United States is $127,215.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $98,000.00 and $157,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a system protection engineer do?

A System Protection Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining protection systems that safeguard electrical power systems from faults or abnormal conditions. Their main goal is to ensure the reliability and safety of the power grid by developing protection schemes and coordinating relays and circuit breakers. They also analyze system disturbances, conduct fault studies, and work closely with other engineers to resolve issues and improve system performance. This role is vital in preventing blackouts and minimizing damage to equipment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a system protection engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a System Protection Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, power systems analysis, and relay coordination, often backed by a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with power system software such as ETAP, SEL AcSELerator, and experience with protective relays and SCADA systems are typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and clear communication skills help you excel in troubleshooting and collaborating with operations teams. These competencies ensure the reliable and safe operation of electrical power grids, minimizing system failures and service interruptions.

What are some common challenges faced by system protection engineers in coordinating with operations and maintenance teams?

System Protection Engineers frequently collaborate with operations and maintenance teams to ensure reliable power system performance and quick response to faults. A common challenge is effectively communicating complex relay settings and protection schemes to non-engineering personnel, which requires clear documentation and training. Additionally, coordinating scheduled maintenance or testing without disrupting system reliability can be demanding, especially during peak demand periods. Effective teamwork and proactive planning are essential to overcome these challenges and maintain system integrity.
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Cities with the most System Protection Engineer job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for System Protection Engineer jobs?

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What states have the most System Protection Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for System Protection Engineer jobs include:

Infographic showing various System Protection Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $127,215 per year, or $61.2 per hour.

Power System Protection Engineer

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories

Alpharetta, GA • On-site

$84K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago


Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 46 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 159 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

As a Power System Protection Engineer, you will be responsible for providing expert technical support and solutions for power system protection schemes. Your role will involve teaching, advising, and supporting customers to ensure the reliability and safety of power grids.

At Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. (SEL), our mission is to make electric power safer, more reliable, and more economical. Our company prides itself on embracing the values of quality, reliability, integrity, and excellent customer service. We were named as one of Fortune Magazine's 100 Best Workplaces for Millennials and among the top Best Workplaces for Baby Boomers. Working at SEL means having the opportunity to explore different career options - from customer service, sales, technical support, to management. We encourage professional development because when you are your best, that is when we are our best. So, what do you say? Ready to take the next step?

As a Power System Protection Engineer, a typical day might include:

  • Working with customers to apply new technologies or solutions to their power systems.

  • Designing models and/or demonstrations of new technologies or solutions to teach customers how we can enhance their system(s).

  • Supporting SEL products and solution troubleshooting to get to root cause of a problem.

  • Analyzing responses of protective relays to power system faults.

  • Teaching customers how to use SEL products or how protective relays protect primary electrical equipment.

  • Contributing to and reviewing white papers, application guides, industry journals, and technical papers.

This role might be for you if you:

  • Desire to learn how the power system responds to system faults and how protective relays detect that.

  • Desire to be involved in the cutting-edge technology of protective relaying.

  • Have a passion for teaching others for their growth and for yours.

  • Enjoy applying creativity to your engineering solutions every day.

  • Enjoy every day being different versus everyday being predictable.

Required Qualifications & Abilities:

  • A bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field. A master's degree is preferred.

  • 5+ years of experience with power system protection and relays.

  • Relevant work experience and knowledge of utility and/or industrial power systems with an emphasis on protection, control, and operations.

  • Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with customers.

  • Strong communication and presentation skills.

  • Excellent problem-solving skills and a desire to learn new technologies.

  • Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.

  • Ability to travel 25% of the time.

Location

We are open to this position being located in the following locations:

  • Charlotte, NC

  • Little Rock, AR

  • Richmond, VA

  • Huntsville, AL

  • Alpharetta, GA

  • Columbus, GA

  • Chattanooga, TN

Competitive pay. Superior benefits. Inspiring work.

People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners. We welcome you to learn more about how we support employees.

  • We're 100% employee owned. Retirement benefits include an employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options.
  • We offer top tier medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
  • We recognize the importance of a healthy life balance and offer: 10 paid holidays, annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days, 9 paid sick days, and paid family and medical leave that covers 90% of your pay.
  • We foster growth and development of our employees through avenues such as STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs.
  • Ask our team about other benefits including wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending benefits.

Pay Range Data

$84,200 - $160,000 per year. Our pay ranges are determined by job, responsibility, and location. We base our starting pay offer on location and job-related factors such as candidate experience, training, knowledge, and skills.

Communication with Applicants

We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAMfilteror reach out to us at careers@selinc.com.

SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.


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