Project Engineer - Protection Engineer

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.; Boise (ID); On-site; USD 98,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. seeks a Project Engineer - Proposals to lead the technical evaluation and development of customer proposals for complex power system and automation projects.

You will review RFQs, develop project statements, preliminary designs, risk assessments, cash flow forecasts, and schedules, and collaborate with Contracts to finalize terms. This role requires strategic, technically skilled leadership to guide proposal development and engage customers, while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience with electric power systems or industrial automation.
• Knowledge of electric power system protection and control, integration, automation, and communications applications.
• Ability to lead and supervise project teams.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead and actively participate in complex project conceptual design, detailed design, execution, development, and support activities across multiple projects and focus areas.
• Identify, prepare, and present successful proposals for SEL equipment, services, and systems.
• Review customer RFQs and technical specifications to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions.
• Lead project teams in resolving customer concerns and fostering long‑term customer satisfaction.
• Develop project work statements, preliminary designs, responsibility matrices, risk assessments, cash flow forecasts, and preliminary schedules.
• Collaborate with Contracts and other cross‑functional teams to finalize project terms and conditions.
• Mentor and develop professional staff and provide supervision when required.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication skills

Travel up to 25%

Team supervision

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline

Tools

Vision PM software

Project management tracking software

Job description

Project Engineer - Proposals

SEL Engineering Services is seeking a Project Engineer - Proposals to lead the technical evaluation and development of customer proposals for complex power system and automation projects. In this role, you will review customer RFQ documents, evaluate bid/no-bid opportunities, develop project work statements, preliminary designs, responsibility matrices, risk assessments, cash flow projections, and preliminary project schedules. You will leverage a strong understanding of SEL's Engineering Services portfolio to develop comprehensive technical solutions and collaborate with Contracts to finalize commercial terms and conditions.This position requires a strategic, technically skilled professional who can effectively lead proposal development efforts, support customer engagement, and contribute to successful project execution.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead and actively participate in complex project conceptual design, detailed design, execution, development, and support activities across multiple projects and focus areas.
• Identify, prepare, and present successful proposals for SEL equipment, services, and systems.
• Review customer RFQs and technical specifications to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions.
• Lead project teams in resolving customer concerns and fostering long‑term customer satisfaction.
• Develop project work statements, preliminary designs, responsibility matrices, risk assessments, cash flow forecasts, and preliminary schedules.
• Collaborate with Contracts and other cross‑functional teams to finalize project terms and conditions.
• Mentor and develop professional staff and provide supervision when required.
• Model, teach, and apply SEL Values, Principles of Operations, and World Class Manufacturing Principles.
• Embrace SEL's philosophy: Understand. Create. Simplify.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience with electric power systems or industrial automation system practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of electric power system protection and control, integration, automation, and communications applications.
• Demonstrated knowledge of electric power system design, studies, information and communication technology (ICT), and protective relay applications.
• Ability to work on multiple solutions simultaneously
• Proven ability to lead and supervise project teams.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong organizational and problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to learn new skills and assume new responsibilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 25%, depending on project and focus area requirements.
• Satisfactory background check results.
• Successful completion of required drug screening.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent professional certification.
• Experience with an electrical utility, industrial plant, consulting engineering firm, or system integrator.
• Project management experience.
• Working knowledge of Vision or other project management tracking software.

Why Join SEL?

At SEL, you'll help solve complex technical challenges while working alongside industry experts committed to innovation, quality, and customer success. This role offers the opportunity to influence major projects from proposal development through execution, while supporting critical infrastructure around the world.

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.

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.

Competitive pay. Superior benefits. Inspiring work.

People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners.

We’re 100% employee owned. Retirement benefits include an employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401K 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

Pay Range: $97,700 - $144,400 annually

We set starting pay based on job‑related factors such as your experience, training, knowledge, and skills. We are looking to fill this position at the Project Engineer level, and we welcome applicants with a range of experience. Depending on your background, we may consider you for a different level, with compensation aligned accordingly.

Associate Engineer: $84,200 - $124,500 annually

Engineer: $97,700 - $144,400 annually

Lead Engineer: $115,300 - $170,400 annually

SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.