Hardware Engineer – Magnetics Design Focus

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories • Pullman, WA

15d • $97,740 - $144,460 • Onsite

About The Position

The devices we make at SEL are embedded in the power grid and critical infrastructure. They prevent blackouts, control processes, and reliably communicate critical information. They make outages safer and shorter in duration; they monitor infrastructure to prevent outages and record critical data to inform decisions; and they add cybersecurity, automation, and communication. SEL products and technologies are critical for the safe, reliable operation of power systems and critical infrastructure around the world, so our products are built with the highest-quality components in SEL facilities by SEL employees. As a Hardware Engineer in Research and Development, you'll specify, design, and test these devices and support them over the long lifetime of SEL products in the same place where those products are manufactured. As a Hardware Engineer with an electromagnetics design focus, a typical day might include the following: Analyze, design, develop, prototype and test custom magnetic components. Conducts moderate to complex design reviews to demonstrate product and circuit robustness. Design and optimize magnetic current sensors including CTs (instrument class, protection class) and Rogowski Coils for various frequency and current ranges. Perform analytical calculations and electromagnetic simulations (e.g., using FEM tools such as ANSYS Maxwell or similar). Specify magnetic core materials, winding configurations, insulation systems, and encapsulation methods. Develop and execute test plans to validate accuracy, linearity, bandwidth, thermal behavior, and environmental compliance. Develops hardware specifications and prepares system level specifications. Provides and maintains accurate project plans. Manages and/or leads hardware projects of moderate complexity. Coordinates engineering activities with purchasing and manufacturing. Mentors and directs the efforts of associate engineers and technicians. Collaborate with mechanical and manufacturing engineers to ensure sensor designs are cost-effective and manufacturable. Interface with firmware and hardware teams to integrate sensors into complete systems (e.g., power meters, relays, fault indicators). Prepare design documentation, including schematics, drawings, and test reports. Ensure compliance with relevant standards (e.g., IEC 61869, IEEE C57.13, UL, CE, RoHS).

Requirements

• B.S. in Electrical/Electromechanical Engineering or related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Solid understanding of electromagnetic theory, transformer design principles, and signal conditioning.
• Typically 2+ years of experience in a selection of these or related areas: -- Magnetic component design -- CTs/PTs/Rogowski coils -- Inductors -- SMPS magnetic components -- Creepage, clearance, insulation systems -- Power harvesting magnetic components -- Magnetic latches -- Electric motors/generators -- Magnetic shields -- Other magnetic assemblies -- Electromagnetic Fields/Wave Analysis -- Electromagnetic compatibility -- Maxwell’s equations -- Components and Packaging -- Component derating -- Thermal management -- PCB planning

Nice To Haves

• Experience designing low-power or energy-harvesting sensors.
• Knowledge of Rogowski coil integration in digital signal processing systems.
• Background in industrial or utility-grade instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, design, develop, prototype and test custom magnetic components.
• Conducts moderate to complex design reviews to demonstrate product and circuit robustness.
• Design and optimize magnetic current sensors including CTs (instrument class, protection class) and Rogowski Coils for various frequency and current ranges.
• Perform analytical calculations and electromagnetic simulations (e.g., using FEM tools such as ANSYS Maxwell or similar).
• Specify magnetic core materials, winding configurations, insulation systems, and encapsulation methods.
• Develop and execute test plans to validate accuracy, linearity, bandwidth, thermal behavior, and environmental compliance.
• Develops hardware specifications and prepares system level specifications.
• Provides and maintains accurate project plans.
• Manages and/or leads hardware projects of moderate complexity.
• Coordinates engineering activities with purchasing and manufacturing.
• Mentors and directs the efforts of associate engineers and technicians.
• Collaborate with mechanical and manufacturing engineers to ensure sensor designs are cost-effective and manufacturable.
• Interface with firmware and hardware teams to integrate sensors into complete systems (e.g., power meters, relays, fault indicators).
• Prepare design documentation, including schematics, drawings, and test reports.
• Ensure compliance with relevant standards (e.g., IEC 61869, IEEE C57.13, UL, CE, RoHS).

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees