Power Systems Protection Engineer

About the role

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) is seeking a Protection Engineer to join its SEL Engineering Services team in Houston, Texas. The engineer ensures the reliable and secure operation of power systems by designing, testing, implementing and maintaining protection and control schemes, serving customers who protect and control critical electrical infrastructure worldwide.

Key responsibilities

• Design, develop and implement protection and control schemes, including relay protection and control systems
• Create protective relay settings for transmission and distribution utilities, substations and industrial clients
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers and technicians to assess system requirements and implement protection strategies
• Learn advanced relay technologies, automation systems, transmission protection and utility modernization initiatives
• Perform system testing and commissioning to validate protection schemes
• Train and assist customers with the design, configuration, validation, installation, commissioning and operation of automation and protection systems
• Prepare functional design specifications and maintain design documents, reports, checklists and test reports

Required profile

• B.S. or M.S. degree in electrical engineering or a relevant discipline
• 3+ years of relevant experience with electric power systems, industry practices and protection design
• Proven experience designing and implementing protection and control schemes in a utility or industrial setting
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally at least 25% depending on focus area
• Background check and negative drug test results required

Required skills

• Power system protection principles, relay protection and control schemes, and relay coordination
• Familiarity with IEEE, IEC and NERC/FERC standards
• Knowledge of power system design, studies, ICT and protective relay applications
• Preferred: Professional Engineer license, utility or consulting engineering experience, and experience with AcSELerator QuickSet settings files

What we offer

• Pay range of $110,000 - $175,000 for new hires
• Medical, prescription, dental, vision, life and disability insurance
• Retirement benefits including an employer-funded ESOP and 401(k)
• 10 paid holidays, 12 days of vacation accrual, 9 paid sick days and paid family and medical leave
• Tuition assistance, STEM courses, apprenticeships and engineering development programs