Protection and Control Application Engineer

Position Summary

The Protection and Control Application Engineer play a key role in designing and supporting advanced protection and automation systems for industrial and mission-critical applications. This position blends technical expertise with commercial strategy—supporting pre-sales efforts, defining protection and automation components, helping define system integration efforts and collaborating across teams to deliver scalable, standards-compliant solutions. The engineer also contributes to innovative and digital transformation initiatives that strengthen IEM’s leadership in protection and automation within power distribution.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Sales & Technical Support

• Collaborate with Sales to provide subject matter expertise on protection, control, and automation systems during proposal and business development phases.
• Analyze project specifications and guide estimation/design teams in identifying required hardware, software, and engineering effort.
• Contribute to RFI/RFP responses, technical documentation, and solution presentations.

System Architecture & Design

• Design scalable, standards-compliant protection and control architectures for electrical distribution systems, including DER and microgrid applications.
• Ensure solutions meet performance, reliability, and operational requirements across industrial and mission-critical environments.

Technology & Product Integration

• Evaluate and select protection relays, PLCs, and control components based on technical and commercial criteria.
• Recommend design optimizations and alternative solutions to improve system performance and cost-effectiveness.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with sales engineers, electrical designers, and project managers to align solutions with customer needs and IEM’s delivery capabilities.
• Incorporate feedback from stakeholders and field teams to refine and enhance system designs.

Thought Leadership & Enablement

• Represent IEM at industry forums, conferences, and customer engagements to promote technical leadership.
• Mentor junior engineers and support internal training programs to scale technical expertise across the organization.

Strategic Impact

• Influence product roadmaps and commercial strategies by advocating for advanced protection technologies and digital transformation.
• Support innovation initiatives and vendor partnerships to enhance IEM’s competitive edge.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Solid understanding of power system protection principles, relay logic, and automation systems (including PLC-based control).
• Experience with generator control, paralleling switchgear, and DER/microgrid control applications.
• Familiarity with industry communication protocols (e.g., DNP3, IEC 61850, Modbus).
• Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 50% for project support and commissioning.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on experience with protective relays and testing tools (e.g., SEL, GE, Omicron, Doble).
• Proficiency in engineering software (e.g., AutoCAD, ETAP, ASPEN).
• Experience working for/with OEMs and knowledge of UL, IEEE, and other relevant standards.
• Exposure to power equipment sales, commercial collaboration, and vendor engagement.
• Demonstrated leadership in innovation, solution development, or cross-functional initiatives.

Workplace Conditions

• On-site, hybrid, or remote
• Traveling up to 30%

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $130,000 -$165,000 per year, based on location, experience, and qualifications.