Lead Controls Engineer

About the Role

Designs and implements automation and process improvements across manufacturing systems, including PLC, HMI, and equipment integration. Leads and coordinates a team to deliver automation projects, ensuring alignment, quality, and timely execution. Develops solutions to enhance safety, reliability, and efficiency by addressing workflow gaps, improving operator guidance, and strengthening system controls. Collaborates with cross functional teams and vendors to troubleshoot issues and deploy scalable solutions that improve throughput, traceability, and cost performance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain a detailed understanding of electric power system automation and industrial control systems including related protocols, serial and network communications, security, and logic programming
• Lead in customer technical support including installation, commissioning and operation of automation and control systems
• Lead in developing and analyzing product specifications and functional and validation tests
• Lead in writing and maintaining product documentation including application guides, data sheets, and instruction manuals
• Lead in the development of technical and market analyses to evaluate proposed products or enhancements
• Lead in evaluation of competing automation products
• Perform as a technical lead on assigned projects
• Mentor Engineers and Associate Engineers
• Understand. Create. Simplify.
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• US Citizen
• B.S. Electrical Engineering, Computer Science/Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Typically 6+ years relevant experience in setup, configuration, and troubleshooting of automation and control systems with a broad range of serial and network devices and interfaces
• Working knowledge of automation and integration applications, practices, and philosophies at an electrical utility, industrial plant, or engineering firm
• Knowledge of OSI model
• Strong knowledge of layer 2, 3, and 4 (switching, routing, and transport) networking principles
• Excellent technical presentation and training skills
• Willing to travel up to 15%
• Strong writing, documentation, and speaking skills
• Ability to learn new skills and assume new responsibilities
• Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment
• Background check results satisfactory to SEL
• Negative drug test result(s)

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in PLCs (Allen-Bradley, Mitsubishi, Siemens), HMI/GUI design, fieldbus networks, safety systems, vision systems, and robotics integration
• Proficient in reading electrical schematics and applying industrial equipment standards; experienced with AutoCAD
• Advanced PLC programming with structured, maintainable code development methodologies
• Skilled in developing state machines for complex automation, including parallel processing, pick-and-place systems, data acquisition, and PID control
• Experienced in MES integration, collaborating across teams and suppliers to enable enterprise-wide visibility, monitoring, and control
• Led electrical control panel design and build activities while supporting large-scale automation and capital projects

Location

Moscow, ID – This position is located in SEL's state of the art Printed Circuit Board factory in Moscow, ID. Enjoy the smaller town life: country space, freedom from traffic, easy access to recreational activities in nearby mountains, rivers, and forests, as well as great schools and universities.

Compensation and Benefits

Pay Range: $107,600 - $161,500 annually

Starting pay is set based on job-related factors such as experience, training, knowledge, and skills. This position is being filled at the Lead level, and applicants with a range of experience are welcome. Depending on your background, consideration may be given for a different level, with compensation aligned accordingly.

Retirement Benefits:

• Employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP)
• Personal 401(k) options

Insurance:

• Top tier medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance

Time Off:

• 10 paid holidays
• Annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days
• 9 paid sick days
• Paid family and medical leave that covers 90% of your pay

Professional Development:

• STEM courses
• Apprenticeships
• Tuition assistance
• Engineering development programs

Additional Benefits:

• Wellness
• Fertility
• Adoption
• Flexible spending benefits

About SEL

SEL invents, designs, and builds digital products and systems that protect power grids around the world. This technology prevents blackouts and enables customers to improve power system reliability and safety at a reduced cost. A 100 percent employee-owned company headquartered in Pullman, Washington, SEL has manufactured products in the United States since 1984 and now serves customers worldwide. Our mission is simple: to make electric power safer, more reliable, and more economical.

Equal Opportunity

SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.

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.