Project Engineer - Proposals
Position Summary
SEL Engineering Services is seeking a Project Engineer - Proposals to lead the technical evaluation and development of customer proposals for complex power system and automation projects. In this role, you will review customer RFQ documents, evaluate bid/no-bid opportunities, develop project work statements, preliminary designs, responsibility matrices, risk assessments, cash flow projections, and preliminary project schedules. You will leverage a strong understanding of SEL's Engineering Services portfolio to develop comprehensive technical solutions and collaborate with Contracts to finalize commercial terms and conditions.
This position requires a strategic, technically skilled professional who can effectively lead proposal development efforts, support customer engagement, and contribute to successful project execution.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Serve as the technical lead and actively participate in complex project conceptual design, detailed design, execution, development, and support activities across multiple projects and focus areas.
- Identify, prepare, and present successful proposals for SEL equipment, services, and systems.
- Review customer RFQs and technical specifications to develop innovative and cost-effective solutions.
- Lead project teams in resolving customer concerns and fostering long-term customer satisfaction.
- Ensure project deliverables are completed within agreed scope, schedule, budget, quality, and safety requirements.
- Develop project work statements, preliminary designs, responsibility matrices, risk assessments, cash flow forecasts, and preliminary schedules.
- Collaborate with Contracts and other cross-functional teams to finalize project terms and conditions.
- Mentor and develop professional staff and provide supervision when required.
- Model, teach, and apply SEL Values, Principles of Operations, and World Class Manufacturing Principles.
- Embrace SEL's philosophy: Understand. Create. Simplify.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
- Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience with electric power systems or industrial automation system practices.
- Demonstrated knowledge of electric power system protection and control, integration, automation, and communications applications.
- Demonstrated knowledge of electric power system design, studies, information and communication technology (ICT), and protective relay applications.
- Ability to work on multiple solutions simultaneously
- Proven ability to lead and supervise project teams.
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to learn new skills and assume new responsibilities.
- Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 25%, depending on project and focus area requirements.
- Satisfactory background check results.
- Successful completion of required drug screening.
Preferred Qualifications
- Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent professional certification.
- Experience with an electrical utility, industrial plant, consulting engineering firm, or system integrator.
- Project management experience.
- Working knowledge of Vision or other project management tracking software.
Why Join SEL?
At SEL, you'll help solve complex technical challenges while working alongside industry experts committed to innovation, quality, and customer success. This role offers the opportunity to influence major projects from proposal development through execution, while supporting critical infrastructure around the world.
If you are a technically driven engineering professional with a passion for developing solutions and leading successful projects, we encourage you to apply.
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.
Job Locations:
- Pullman, WA – This position is located in Pullman, WA. Nestled in Eastern Washington, offering an exceptional quality of life. Embrace the charm of small-town living with spacious surroundings, no traffic hassles, and easy access to outdoor adventures in nearby mountains, rivers, and forests. Plus, benefit from excellent schools and universities in the area.
- Boise, ID – This position is located in Boise, ID, capital of the gem state, and on the Boise River in the southwestern part of the state. You will enjoy local restaurants in a vibrant downtown full of small businesses, easy access to mountain foothills and 190 miles of trails. The city is also home to great schools and universities including Boise State University. Boise has been ranked as one of America's fastest growing cities, making it a great place to live and work.
- Vacaville, CA – This position is located in Vacaville, CA where you'll enjoy an unmatched quality of life. Positioned between Sacramento and Napa Valley, the city's close proximity will allow you to enjoy great shopping, dining, and entertainment. In Vacaville, enjoy easy access to outdoor recreation, and wide open spaces. Vacaville has it all, making it the perfect place to live and work.
- Phoenix, AZ – This position is located in Phoenix, AZ. Ranked one of the fastest growing cities in the nation, Phoenix has something for everyone. The city boasts beautiful red rocks and endless sunshine. Enjoy outdoor recreation in desert preserves or shopping and dining in the cosmopolitan city, whatever your interests, you will find it in Phoenix.
- Irvine, CA – This position is located in Irvine, CA, where you will enjoy the perfect balance of city living and preserved natural spaces. Located just forty miles from Los Angeles, adjacent to the John Wayne/Orange County airport and only a short drive to the beautiful Southern California beaches. You can enjoy a variety of great shopping, entertainment, sports, and access to great schools and universities. Irvine is known as the center of Orange County, culturally diverse and has an enjoyable climate, making it the perfect location to call home.
Pay Range Data: $89,400 - $134,100
We set starting pay based on job-related factors such as your experience, training, knowledge, and skills. We are looking to fill this position at the Project Engineer II level, and we welcome applicants with a range of experience. Depending on your background, we may consider you for a different level, with compensation aligned accordingly.
PE I: $82,000 - $122,900 annually
PE II: $89,400 - $134,100 annually
PE III: $107,600 - $161,500 annually
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 [email protected].
SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.
Skills Required
- Understanding of project engineering scope in relation to project budget, including labor and equipment
- Ownership of project schedules and ability to conduct independent research
- Professional communication skills for direct technical contact with customers and colleagues
- Experience designing control logic schemes and network configurations
- Ability to analyze electrical one-line drawings, DC/AC schematics, and bills of materials
- Experience with industry-standard communication protocols, including IEC-61850, DNP, or Modbus
- Experience with server/client SCADA applications
- Experience with HMI application design and development suites
- Willingness to travel at least 20% domestically and internationally
- Experience with phase I/O-style project management
- Experience configuring Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories products
- Experience with IEC-61131 programming
- Experience with Python programming
- Experience with IT/OT network design
- Experience troubleshooting IT/OT networks using Wireshark
- Substation safety training
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) and has not been reviewed or approved by Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL).
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, and vision coverage is described as comprehensive, with the employer covering a significant share of premiums. Feedback suggests on-site clinics, EAP, and wellness programs further strengthen day-to-day health support at major campuses.
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Retirement Support — Employee ownership through an ESOP is positioned as a meaningful long-term benefit for full-time employees. Feedback suggests many view the ownership model and retirement programs as strong components of total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid vacation and sick time are characterized as generous alongside company holidays and special leave options. Feedback suggests time off begins accruing immediately and supports key life events.
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) Insights
What We Do
SEL serves the power industry worldwide through the design, manufacture, supply and support of products and services for power system protection, monitoring, control, automation, communications and metering. For more than 30 years, SEL has offered unmatched local technical support, a 10‐year, worldwide warranty and a commitment to making electric power safer, more reliable and more economical.




