Power Systems Protection Engineer

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Comprehensive benefits

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Job summary

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) in Houston, TX, seeks a Power System Protection Engineer to design, program, test, and implement protection and control schemes ensuring reliable operation of critical power systems.

You will collaborate with project managers, engineers, and technicians to create relay settings, perform testing and commissioning, and advance expertise in relay technologies and utility modernization within a world‑class, employee‑owned company.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering or relevant discipline.
• 3+ years experience with electric power systems, protection design practices.
• Knowledge of protection and control.
• Familiar with IEEE/IEC/NERC/FERC standards.
• Willing to travel 25% domestically and internationally.
• Strong writing, documentation, and speaking skills.
• Ability to learn new skills and work cooperatively in a team.
• Background check satisfactory to SEL.
• Negative drug test result(s).

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement protection and control schemes for power systems.
• Create protective relay settings for industrial, generation, substations, transmission & distribution.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to assess system requirements and implement protection strategies.
• Perform system testing and commissioning activities to validate protection performance.
• Follow and apply SEL Values, Principles of Operations, and World Class Manufacturing Principles.
• Understand. Create. Simplify.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Protection design

Power system studies

Documentation

Travel willingness

Teamwork

Communication

Background check

Drug screening

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

Job description

We are looking for a passionate, talented, and motivated Power System Protection Engineer to join our growing SEL Engineering Services team. As a Power System Protection Engineer, you will be responsible for ensuring the reliable and secure operation of power systems by designing, programming, testing, and implementing effective protection and control schemes. Your expertise in relay protection and control schemes, power system studies, and project management will provide solutions and services that help our customers protect and control critical electrical infrastructure and power systems worldwide.

As a Protection Engineer, a typical day might include the following: Design, develop, and implement protection and control schemes for power systems, including relay protection and control systems. Create protective relay settings for industrial, generation, substations, transmission & distribution utilities. Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including project managers, engineers, and technicians, to assess system requirements and implement protection strategies accordingly. Work alongside industry‑recognized protection experts while developing expertise in advanced relay technologies, automation systems, transmission protection, and utility modernization initiatives. Perform system testing and commissioning activities to validate the functionality and performance of protection schemes. Following and applying SEL Values, Principles of Operations, and World Class Manufacturing Principles.

This job might be for you if:

• You have a B.S. or M.S. degree in electrical engineering or relevant discipline
• You have a strong understanding of power system protection principles, relay protection and control schemes, and power system studies in ETAP, SKM, RTDS etc.
• You are familiar with relevant industry standards, such as IEEE, IEC, and NERC/FERC regulations.
• You have proven experience in designing and implementing protection and control schemes in a utility or industrial setting.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving skills and the ability to analyze complex power system protection challenges.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Possesses, understands and applies the fundamental concepts, practices and procedures of power system protection and related SEL products.
• Train and assist customers with the creation, design, configuration, validation, installation, commissioning and operation of automation and/or protection systems.
• Complete and implement assigned work within agreed upon scope, schedule and budget to a high level of quality and safety.
• Participate in the preparation of functional design specifications.
• Prepare and maintain detailed design documents, reports, checklists, test reports, and deliverables.
• Follow and apply SEL Values, Principles of Operations, and World Class Manufacturing Principles.
• Understand. Create. Simplify.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering or relevant discipline
• 3+ years relevant application experience with electric power systems, industry practices, and protection design practices and philosophies
• Good knowledge of electric power system protection and control
• Working knowledge of electric power system design, studies, information and communication technology and protective relay applications
• Willing to travel both domestically and internationally a minimum of 25% based on focus area
• Strong writing, documentation, and speaking skills
• Ability to learn new skills and assume new responsibilities
• Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment
• Background check results satisfactory to SEL
• Negative drug test result(s)

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer License or equivalent certification
• Industrial plant, consulting engineering, or system integrator experience
• Project engineering experience
• Programming, testing, and commissioning experience of protective relays
• Experience developing ac/dc schematics, single line diagrams, wiring diagrams for protection and control applications
• Experience developing settings configuration files for SEL devices using AcSELeratorQuickSet

Location Information: Houston, TX-This position is located in Houston, TX.

Ranked America's fourth largest city, whatever your interest you will find it here. Enjoy sports teams, world class dining, and first rate entertainment. Enjoy signature Houston attractions like Space Center Houston and The Grand Opera. Escape the city with easy beach access just one hour away. Houston offers exceptional schools and universities, making it a great place to live and work.

Benefits and Compensation

• 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 New hires generally start between $110,000 - 175,000.

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 [e-mail].

SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.