Lead Engineer - Solid-State Circuit Breakers

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories • Pullman, WA

2d

About The Position

The Lead Engineer will provide technical leadership for the development of solid-state power switching and protection technologies, serving as the technical authority for solid-state circuit breaker architecture, power electronics design, system protection strategies, and product integration. The role leads research and innovation in next-generation solid-state protection technologies, including semiconductor switching systems, gate drive circuits, sensing technologies, and protection algorithms.

The position leads cross-functional development efforts and establishes technical requirements, development plans, and risk mitigation strategies for solid-state circuit breaker programs. It provides design oversight across schematics, PCB development, simulation, thermal analysis, EMI/EMC compliance, reliability, and validation. The Lead Engineer also directs laboratory testing and works with customers, utilities, research organizations, and industry partners to guide product development. Responsibilities extend to manufacturing readiness, product launches, continuous improvement, and environmental, health, and safety leadership.

The position models and applies SEL Values, Principles of Operations, and World Class Manufacturing Principles. U.S. citizenship is required. SEL describes itself as 100% employee-owned and offers competitive pay and benefits. The stated pay range is $107,600–$161,500 annually for the Lead Hardware Engineer level; candidates may be considered for a different level based on their background, with compensation aligned accordingly.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Seven or more years of experience in power electronics, protection systems, power conversion, solid-state switching technologies, or closely related fields.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex product development programs from concept through production.
• Strong understanding of power system protection principles and fault interruption methods.
• Experience with electrical system modeling, circuit simulation, and design tools such as SPICE, MATLAB/Simulink, PLECS, PSCAD, or equivalent.
• Strong technical leadership, communication, and decision-making skills.
• Strong writing, documentation, and presentation abilities.
• Ability to effectively lead multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Ability to learn new skills and assume new responsibilities.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment.
• Satisfactory background check results.
• Negative drug test result(s).

Nice To Haves

• Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering with an emphasis in Power Electronics, Power Systems, or Controls.
• Experience developing medium-voltage or high-power switching equipment.
• Experience with solid-state circuit breakers, hybrid circuit breakers, grid protection devices, or advanced power conversion systems.
• Experience with requirements-based development and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
• Experience with functional safety, reliability engineering, FMEA, and fault-tree analysis.
• Familiarity with utility, industrial, aerospace, defense, microgrid, or transportation power systems.
• Supervisory or technical leadership experience in product development organizations.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers, specialists, and technicians developing solid-state power switching and protection technologies.
• Serve as the technical authority for solid-state circuit breaker architecture, power electronics design, system protection strategies, and product integration.
• Lead research, innovation, and development of next-generation solid-state protection technologies, including semiconductor switching systems, gate drive circuits, sensing technologies, and protection algorithms.
• Lead cross-functional development efforts involving hardware, firmware, controls, reliability, mechanical, manufacturing, and test engineering teams.
• Establish technical requirements, development plans, and risk mitigation strategies for solid-state circuit breaker development programs.
• Direct design reviews and provide technical oversight for schematic design, PCB development, simulations, thermal analysis, EMI/EMC compliance, reliability assessments, and system validation.
• Lead laboratory testing, prototype evaluation, fault-current testing, environmental qualification, and product validation to ensure compliance with applicable industry standards.
• Collaborate with customers, utilities, research organizations, and industry partners to identify emerging requirements and guide future product development.
• Support manufacturing readiness, design-for-manufacturing initiatives, product launches, and continuous improvement activities.
• Provide environmental, health, and safety leadership by maintaining a safe workplace, promoting safety awareness, conducting investigations, and implementing safe work practices.
• Model, teach, and apply SEL Values, Principles of Operations, and World Class Manufacturing Principles.
• Understand, create, and simplify.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Employer-funded stock ownership plan (ESOP).
• Personal 401(k) options.
• Medical and prescription insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Disability insurance.
• 10 paid holidays.
• Annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days.
• 9 paid sick days.
• Paid family and medical leave covering 90% of pay.
• STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs.
• Wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior