Project Engineer I - Automation

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories•Charlotte, NC

About The Position

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) is focused on making electric power safer, more reliable, and more economical. Automation projects involve collecting data from system IEDs, developing logic controls, and presenting data so customers can monitor and control their power systems. Using real-time logic controllers and communication equipment, the Automation Engineer plans, designs, develops, tests, and commissions projects. Projects may include communication network equipment; configuring real-time controllers as RTUs, HMIs, or servers for upstream SCADA clients; implementing custom logic such as automatic system fault location, isolation, and restoration; and configuring workstations for power system analytics software. The role provides technical leadership to assist Project Managers and Salesforce with customer application planning, participates in customer meetings as an SEL equipment expert, and defines and oversees multiple objectives with minimal guidance. The engineer researches SEL and third-party equipment, solutions, and emerging technologies, including OT network solutions and data flow. The role reviews and certifies project deliverables for quality before customer submission, including design specifications, drawings, product configurations, factory testing procedures, field safety preparations, commissioning procedures, and service reports. As technical lead, the engineer helps the project engineering team define deliverables, schedules, and execution from design through commissioning. The position is open to multiple experience levels, from Associate to Engineering III, and may be based in Lewis Center, Ohio; King of Prussia, Pennsylvania; Alpharetta, Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Wesley Chapel, Florida; or Nashua, New Hampshire. Domestic and international travel of at least 20% is required.

Requirements

Understanding of project engineering scope in relation to project budgets, including labor and equipment.
Ability to own schedules and independently research project needs.
Professional communication skills to serve as a direct technical contact for customers and colleagues.
Ability to design control logic schemes and network configurations.
Ability to analyze electrical one-line drawings, DC/AC schematics, and bills of materials.
Experience with industry-standard communication protocols such as IEC-61850, DNP, and Modbus.
Experience with server/client SCADA applications.
Experience with the design and development suite of HMI applications.
Willingness to travel domestically and abroad at least 20% of the time.

Nice To Haves

Experience with phase I/O-style project management.
Experience with SEL product configurations.
Experience with IEC-61131 programming.
Experience with Python programming.
Experience with IT/OT network design.
Experience troubleshooting IT/OT networks using tools such as Wireshark.
Substation safety training.

Responsibilities

Provide technical leadership to assist Project Managers and Salesforce in planning customer applications.
Participate in customer meetings and provide SEL equipment expertise and recommendations for current and future projects.
Define and oversee multiple objectives with minimal guidance and general high-level direction.
Research SEL equipment, third-party equipment, solutions, and emerging technologies and trends.
Develop OT network solutions, including Layer 1 and Layer 2 architecture, applications, and data flow.
Review and certify deliverables for quality before customer submittal, including automation design specifications and drawings, product configurations, factory testing and procedures, field safety preparations and commissioning procedures, and service reports.
Lead the project engineering team in defining deliverables, schedules, and project execution from design through commissioning.
Plan, design, develop, test, and commission automation projects involving system data collection, logic controls, and customer-facing power-system monitoring and control.
Configure communication networks, real-time controllers, RTUs, HMI or server systems for upstream SCADA clients, custom control logic, and power-system analytics workstations.
Travel domestically and internationally at least 20% of the time.

Benefits

Competitive pay.
100% employee ownership.
Employer-funded employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options.
Medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and 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 benefits.
Fertility benefits.
Adoption benefits.
Flexible spending benefits.