R&D Power Engineer

The Senior Power Systems Protection Engineer serves as a technical leader and subject matter expert in the design, application, and advancement of protection systems for electric power networks. This role leads complex protection engineering efforts, contributes to innovative solutions, mentors engineers, and represents the organization through training, publications, and industry engagement. The position requires deep technical expertise, strong communication skills, and a commitment to quality, innovation, and SEL values.

Technical Leadership & Engineering Excellence

• Lead the specification, design, implementation, testing, and validation of advanced power system protection schemes and protective relay applications.
• Serve as a technical authority for the application of protective relays, including relay selection, settings development, coordination, testing, and commissioning support.
• Apply expert-level understanding of power system behavior to protect, monitor, and control transmission and distribution systems.
• Provide technical guidance and oversight for complex or non‑standard protection applications.

Innovation & Thought Leadership

• Research, develop, and evaluate new and emerging power system protection solutions, methodologies, and technologies.
• Contribute to the development of internal technical standards, best practices, and engineering methodologies.
• Analyze industry challenges and misoperations to improve protection reliability and performance.

Knowledge Sharing & Mentorship

• Mentor and develop early‑ and mid‑career engineers through technical coaching, formal mentoring, and peer review.
• Deliver technical training to internal teams and external customers on protection concepts, relay applications, and new solutions.
• Author technical papers, white papers, and application guides, and present at industry conferences, seminars, and customer events.

Collaboration & Professional Impact

• Work collaboratively with cross‑functional teams to ensure high‑quality, timely engineering deliverables.
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly through written documentation, presentations, and training materials.
• Represent the organization as a trusted technical expert with customers, partners, and industry stakeholders.

Culture & Values

• Model and apply SEL Values, Principles of Operations, and World Class Manufacturing principles in daily work.
• Demonstrate the SEL philosophy: Understand. Create. Simplify.

Required Qualifications

• BS, MS, or PhD in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in electric power systems, with a strong emphasis on power system protection.
• Demonstrated expertise in:
  • Power system protection principles and philosophies
  • Protection system analysis and relay application
  • Power system modeling and analysis, including EMT and stability studies
• Proven ability to communicate complex technical information effectively through writing, presentations, and technical training.
• Ability to lead technical work independently while collaborating effectively in a team environment.
• Willingness to travel approximately 25% of the time.
• Ability to learn new technologies and assume increasing technical responsibility.
• Satisfactory background check results as required by SEL.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands‑on experience applying SEL protective relays in utility, industrial, or renewable power system environments.
• Field experience with protection system commissioning, troubleshooting, and misoperation analysis.
• Experience authoring and presenting technical papers or tutorials at protective relay or power system conferences.

*Please attach transcripts to application

Location  

Pullman, WA

Boise, ID

Competitive pay. Superior benefits. Inspiring work.

People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners. We welcome you to learn more about how we support employees.

• 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.

Pay Range Data

Power Engineer $97,740 - $144,460

Lead Power Engineer $115,300 - $170,400

Development Lead Engineer $136,100 - $201,100

Senior Engineer $160,600 - $237,300

We are open to reviewing additional candidates with more or less experience and the salary range may differ if filled at a different level. Our salary ranges are determined by job, responsibility, and location. We base our starting pay offer and title on location and job-related factors such as candidate experience, training, knowledge, and skills.

Communication with Applicants 

We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAM filter or reach out to us at careers@selinc.com.

SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.