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Integration & Automation Engineer - IEC 61850

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories · Charlotte, NC

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Level
Engineer
Team
Controls
Base pay
$108k–$162k
Experience asked
6+ years
Industry
Industrial
Posted
Recently

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level controls role at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (industrial) in Charlotte, NC. Lead the research, design, and specification of IEC 61850 features, models, and architectures across SEL’s hardware and software product lines.

They ask for
6+ years
Tools it names
Automation
Base pay
$108k–$162k
Day to day
some off-shift / weekend coverage

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

How this role compares

Against 35 other live controls postings in North Carolina.

Base pay
About 26% above similar roles

Typical $93k–$121k, from 5 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
More than usual (6+ vs 5+)

Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ Automation 78%
  • PLC 72%
  • Robotics 36%
  • Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 31%
  • AutoCAD 25%
  • MES 22%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

It asks for 6+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone on the team first.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverageTraining program

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

  1. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.

  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

    One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.

  3. 3

    Turn a reply into a short call

    Questions worth asking about this team:

    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 4

    Apply with someone vouching for you

    If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.

  5. 5

    Bring proof to the interview

    One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

Full description from Schweitzer Engineering LaboratoriesAs posted on their careers site.Show

Responsibilities

  • ◆Lead the research, design, and specification of IEC 61850 features, models, and architectures across SEL’s hardware and software product lines.
  • ◆Develop system‑level requirements, functional specifications, and design documentation for both near‑term and future SEL products.
  • ◆Architect and evaluate innovative approaches for GOOSE, SV, MMS , digital substations, automation schemes, data models, and engineering workflows.
  • ◆Support and guide cross-functional R&D teams as the domain authority for IEC 61850 application, performance, conformance, and design tradeoffs.
  • ◆Translate emerging standards into actionable product direction.
  • ◆Conduct feasibility studies, perform simulation or lab testing, and evaluate new technologies.
  • ◆Collaborate with firmware, hardware, software, test, cybersecurity, and product teams to ensure cohesive, reliable system designs.
  • ◆Partner with product management to assess market needs, develop competitive/technical analysis, and recommend product enhancements for integration, commissioning, and testing workflows.
  • ◆Mentor junior engineers and contribute to developing team-wide technical expertise in IEC 61850 and digital substation engineering.
  • ◆Provide system‑level engineering support during product development, reviews, architecture discussions, and critical design decisions.
  • ◆Continuously learn, model SEL values, and help maintain SEL’s leadership in reliable protection, automation, and control systems.

Required Qualifications

  • ✓B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering.
  • ✓Minimum 6 years of experience in power system protection, automation, or substation communications engineering.
  • ✓Demonstrated expertise with IEC 61850 - including data modeling, SCL workflows, GOOSE, MMS, sampled values, and system architectures.
  • ✓Knowledge of IEC 60870‑5‑103/‑101/‑104, Modbus, DNP3, PRP, IEEE 1588 PTP, and SEL protocols; deep understanding of substation integration patterns, client/server and publisher/subscriber models, network redundancy, and time synchronization.
  • ✓Experience designing or implementing protection, automation, or SCADA systems in utility or industrial environments.
  • ✓Strong understanding of electric power systems, relay protection fundamentals, communications networks, and automation schemes.
  • ✓Ability to develop clear, detailed engineering documentation, specifications, and system designs.
  • ✓Excellent communication, collaboration, and technical leadership skills.
  • ✓Ability to learn new skills, assume new responsibilities, and work cooperatively in a team environment.
  • ✓Background check results satisfactory to SEL. Negative drug test result(s).

Preferred Qualifications

  • ✓M.S. or Ph.D. in a relevant engineering discipline
  • ✓Experience with SEL products, tools, and engineering workflows.
  • ✓Hands‑on experience configuring or deploying digital substations or IEC 61850‑based automation schemes.
  • ✓Experience with IEC 61850 engineering artifacts and tools (SCL/SSD/IID/ICD/CID, SCT workflows).
  • ✓Hands‑on experience with Wireshark or equivalent for MMS/GOOSE/Sampled Values analysis; familiarity with VLANs/QoS, network simulation, and impairment testing.
  • ✓Familiarity with cybersecurity

requirements

for substation automation systems.

Location: Charlotte, NC

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

Lead Integration & Automation Engineer: $107,600 - $161,500

Development Lead Integration & Automation Engineer $129,200 - $193,900

We are open to reviewing additional candidates with more or less experience and the pay range may differ if filled at a different level. Our pay ranges are determined by job and responsibility. We base our starting pay offer and title on 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 .

Show full description ↓

Lead the specification, design, and verification of IEC 61850 communication, data‑modeling, and automation capabilities used across current and future SEL products. Serve as the subject‑matter expert for digital substation architectures, GOOSE/SV/MMS applications, SCL engineering workflows, and related power‑system communication technologies. Provide technical leadership and mentorship to cross‑functional hardware, firmware, software, and power‑systems engineering teams to ensure consistent, robust, and interoperable implementation of IEC 61850 features.

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