Power Systems Automation Engineer

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) is focused on making electric power safer, more reliable, and more economical. 

SEL manufactures intelligent electronic devices (IED), Remote Terminal Units (RTU), and logic controllers that provide state-of-the-art monitoring, communication, and protection of power systems in multiple industries.

Note: United States Citizenship is required.

SEL Engineering Services (SEL ES) is the sector of SEL that creates solutions to target applications of SEL equipment for worldwide customers.  The SEL ES engineering team designs, develops, tests, and commissions projects to meet our customers’ requirements. Applications include, but are not limited to: 

• Utilities – Generation, Transmission and Distribution  

• Industrial Plants and Universities– Substation and Switchgear 

• Renewables – Wind, Solar, and BESS 

SEL ES - Automation projects focus on data collection of system IEDs, logic controls, and the presentation of data for the customer to monitor and control their power system.  

Utilizing real-time logic controllers and communication equipment, the SEL ES Automation engineer owns the planning, design, development, testing and commissioning of the project. Projects often include, but are not limited to: 

• Communication network equipment  

• Configuration of real-time controllers to serve as RTUs. 

• Human Machine Interface (HMI) or server to an upstream SCADA client. 

• Configuration of real-time controllers to perform custom logic such as automatic system fault location, isolation and restoration. 

• Configuration of workstations for power system analytic software 

Position: 

• Project Engineer - Automation 

Position Experience Requirement: 

• Minimum of 5+ years 

• Past work history, or equivalency, to meet position description and skill requirements 

Position Description :   

• Working alongside Project Managers, Technical Leads, and Engineers from other focus areas   

• Technical leading to assist Project Managers and Salesforce in planning applications for customers 

• Joins customer meetings to provide SEL equipment expertise and recommendations for future and active projects 

• Defines and oversees the execution of multiple objectives with minimal guidance and general high-level direction 

• Research of SEL equipment, third-party equipment and solutions 

• Branching into OT network solutions (Layer 1, Layer 2 Architecture and Applications Data Flow) 

• Research of emerging technologies and trends within and beyond their focus area. 

• Mentors their project team and teaches others in their disciplines. 

• Reviews and certifies deliverables for quality standards prior to customer submittal 

• Automation Design Specifications and drawings 

• Product configurations 

• Factory testing and procedures 

• Field safety preparations and commissioning procedures 

• Service reports 

• Technical lead of the project engineering team that will define deliverables, schedule, and project execution from design through commissioning. 

Position skill requirements:  

• Understanding of project engineering scope in relation to project budget (labor and equipment) 

• Ownership of schedule and a self-starter for research 

• Professional communication skills to be the direct technical contact for customers and colleagues. 

• Designing of control logic schemes and network configurations 

• Ability to analyze electrical one-line drawings, DC/AC Schematics, and Bill of Materials 

• Experience with ethernet networking and serial communications 

• Experience with industry standard communication protocols (IEC-61850, DNP, Modbus, etc.)  

• Experience with server/client SCADA applications 

• Experience with design/development suite of HMI applications 

• Willing to travel at least 50% of the time domestically and abroad 

Additions skills but not requirements: 

• Experience with phase I/O style project management 

• Experience with SEL product configurations   

• Experience with IEC-61131 programming 

• Experience with Python programming 

• Experience with VTSCADA 

• Experience with Ignition 

• Experience with IT/OT Network design  

• Experience with IT/OT Network troubleshooting (Wireshark) 

• Substation safety training 

Location Information

Pullman, WA- This position is located in Pullman, WA. Nestled in Eastern Washington, offering an exceptional quality of life. Embrace the charm of small-town living with spacious surroundings, no traffic hassles, and easy a​ccess to outdoor adventures in nearby mountains, rivers, and forests. Plus, benefit from excellent schools and universities in the area.

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

We anticipate filling this position as a Project Engineer - Automation:

Project Engineer II - Automation: $87,000.00 - $136,000.00.

Project Engineer III - Automation: $100,000.00 - $157,000.00

We are open to reviewing additional candidates with more or less experience and the salary range may differ if filled at a different level. Our salary ranges are determined by job, responsibility, and location. We base our starting pay offer and title 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 SPAM filter or reach out to us at [email protected].

SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.