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Role Description

The Protection and Control Application Engineer plays 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.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support our employees' well-being, growth, and long-term success. View a snapshot of our benefits at https://www.iemfg.com/careers .