Project Engineer - Protection

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories • Houston, TX

6d • Onsite

About The Position

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) is seeking a Power System Protection Engineer for its Engineering Services team in Houston, Texas. The engineer designs, programs, tests, and implements protection and control schemes to support the reliable and secure operation of power systems and critical electrical infrastructure worldwide. The role includes developing relay settings and protection schemes for industrial, generation, substation, transmission, and distribution utility applications; collaborating with project teams; and performing system testing and commissioning. The engineer also works with protection experts to develop expertise in relay technologies, automation systems, transmission protection, and utility modernization. The position is expected to be filled at the Project Engineer II level, though applicants may be considered for another level based on their background.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or a relevant discipline.
• At least 3 years of relevant application experience with electric power systems, industry practices, and protection design practices and philosophies.
• Good knowledge of electric power system protection and control.
• Working knowledge of electric power system design, studies, information and communication technology, and protective relay applications.
• Strong understanding of power system protection principles, relay protection and control schemes, and power system studies.
• Familiarity with relevant industry standards, including IEEE, IEC, and NERC/FERC regulations.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally at least 25%, based on focus area.
• Strong writing, documentation, and speaking skills.
• Ability to learn new skills and assume new responsibilities.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment.
• Satisfactory background check results and negative drug test results.

Nice To Haves

• Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering or a relevant discipline.
• Professional Engineer license or equivalent certification.
• Industrial plant, consulting engineering, or system integrator experience.
• Project engineering experience.
• Experience programming, testing, and commissioning protective relays.
• Experience developing AC/DC schematics, single-line diagrams, and wiring diagrams for protection and control applications.
• Experience developing settings configuration files for SEL devices using AcSELerator QuickSet.
• Experience with power system studies using ETAP, SKM, RTDS, or similar tools.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement power system protection and control schemes, including relay protection and control systems.
• Create protective relay settings for industrial, generation, substation, transmission, and distribution utility applications.
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, technicians, customers, and other teams to assess system requirements and implement protection strategies.
• Train and assist customers with the creation, design, configuration, validation, installation, commissioning, and operation of automation and protection systems.
• Perform system testing and commissioning to validate protection scheme functionality and performance.
• Complete assigned work within agreed scope, schedule, and budget while maintaining high quality and safety.
• Participate in preparing functional design specifications.
• Prepare and maintain design documents, reports, checklists, test reports, and other deliverables.
• Apply SEL Values, Principles of Operations, and World Class Manufacturing Principles.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Employer-funded stock ownership plan (ESOP).
• Personal 401(k) options.
• Medical insurance.
• 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: Mid Level