Project Engineer - Automation

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.; Pullman, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Excellent benefits

ESOP retirement plan

Job summary

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. seeks a Project Engineer in Automation in Washington (Pullman). The role focuses on applying power-system knowledge to design, configure, validate, install, and commission automation and protection systems for customers.

You will mentor staff, develop proposals, and promote SEL values and world-class manufacturing practices. You will travel up to 25% domestically and internationally, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and advancing SEL’s

Qualifications

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering or relevant discipline.
• 5+ years of relevant application experience with electric power systems.
• Knowledge of electric power system protection, control, and automation.
• Willing to travel domestically and internationally at least 25%.
• Strong writing, documentation, and speaking skills.
• Ability to learn new skills and work in a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead in applying knowledge to complete complex assignments in protection/automation/design/studies/commissioning.
• Train and assist customers with configuring, validating, installing and operating automation and protection systems.
• Manage scope, schedule and budget with quality and safety.
• Contribute to proposals for SEL equipment, services, and systems.

Skills

Power systems

Protection & control

Automation experience

Technical writing

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PSSE

ETAP

RTDS

Vision

Job description

## Project Engineer - AutomationApply: Washington - Pullman: Full time: Posted Today: 2026-22794***Essential Duties and Responsibilities***1. Possesses, understands and applies knowledge and experience of power system *focus area\\** and related SEL products to complete complex assignments.2. Lead in training and assisting customers with the creation, design configuration, validation, installation, commissioning and operation of automation and/or protection systems.3. Lead in assigning, completing and implementing work within agreed upon scope, schedule and budget to a high level of quality and safety.4. Assist in the identification, preparation and presentation of successful proposals for SEL equipment, services, and systems.5. Mentor and develop professional staff. May supervise as necessary.6. Model, teach, and apply SEL Values, Principles of Operations, and World Class Manufacturing Principles.7. Understand. Create. Simplify.8. Other duties as assigned.***Required Qualifications***B.S. In Electrical Engineering or relevant discipline5+ years relevant application experience with electric power systems, industry practices, and \\**focus area* practices and philosophiesDemonstrated knowledge of electric power system protection and control, integration and/or automation and communications applicationsDemonstrated proven knowledge of electric power system design, studies, information and communication technology and protective relay applicationsWilling to travel both domestically and internationally a minimum of 25% based on focus areaStrong 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 certificationElectrical utility, industrial plant, consulting engineering, or system integrator experienceProject management experienceWorking knowledge of Vision or other project management tracking software***Focus Area = Protection, Automation, Design, Studies, Commissioning, Security, Networking, and Project Management**** **Automation** = software, integration and automation, industrial controls, PLCs, industry protocols (IEC-61850, DNP, Modbus), Ethernet systems, protocol analyzers, and industry SCADA practices.* **Business Development** = Identifies, negotiates and manages strategic business relationships. Develop opportunities and leads. Work with the engineering teams to develop competitive proposals and secure purchase orders with customers. Develop targeted sales with focus on strategic customers and markets.* **Civil** = civil design and engineering theory, principles, and applications; structural design and constructability of electrical power substations including equipment, grading slopes, drainage, and applicable foundation types.* **Commissioning** = perform commissioning and site acceptance testing in the field, train and assist customers with installation, commissioning, and operation of devices. Up to 80% travel.* **Design** = analyze technical specifications; create detailed physical and electrical designs, bill of materials, and job estimates.* **Networking** = industrial control system networking experience, including provision, design, test and implementation of wide area/local area networks.* **Project Manager** = Full life-cycle project management of multiple large multi-discipline projects from proposal conception to commissioning and close-out. Effectively track and stabilize projects, implement solutions for obstacles and anticipate customer needs.* **Proposals** = Review customer RFQ documents for technical specifications and scope. Evaluate bid/no bid decisions, develop work statement, preliminary designs, responsibility matrix, risk assessment, cash flow and preliminary project schedules. Develop good understanding of SEL’s complete ES portfolio and use it effectively to develop complete solutions. Work with contracts to finalize terms and conditions.* **Protection** = system protection, protective relays and their applications, settings, and testing.* **Security** = industrial control system security experience, including technical controls, security assessments, policies, plans and procedures. Working knowledge of NERC/CIP compliance and/or NIST SP800 security requirements.* **Studies** = demonstrated experience using PSSE, ETAP, and/or RTDS. Strong electrical power systems knowledge.***Physical Requirements*** None**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.