Okay, I've searched for Design Engineer roles focused on Protection and Automation Panels in Wendell, NC, full-time positions requiring a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and 5+ years of experience in power systems protection and control engineering. I have found 27 positions for you.

Sure. Here's the analysis:

Job Analysis:

This role as a Protection and Automation Panel Design Engineer at Siemens is fundamentally about delivering highly reliable, customized electrical protection and automation panel designs tailored for substation environments. The engineer’s primary mission is to transform complex customer requirements into precise electrical and mechanical system drawings, protection schemes, and logic sequences that adhere to stringent industry standards (such as ANSI and IEC). The responsibilities extend beyond design to include testing (Factory and Site Acceptance Tests), commissioning support, and technical leadership — often guiding junior engineers and troubleshooting in the field. Given the technical complexity and safety-critical nature of power system protection, deep domain expertise in relay protection, numerical relays, and communication protocols like IEC61850 is indispensable. This role also requires proficiency in design software (AutoCAD Electrical, Engineering Base by AUCOTEC) and commission-level control system understanding. The frequent travel component (up to 45%) reflects the role’s hands-on, client-facing aspects, requiring adaptability and strong interpersonal communication for collaboration and customer engagement. Success in this position means reliably delivering technically sound, compliant designs that integrate well within customers’ electrical systems, while leading projects and supporting sales teams, all within tight timelines and evolving project demands. The candidate must navigate both technical ambiguities and cross-functional coordination challenges, demonstrating autonomy, precise judgment, and strategic problem-solving amid diverse stakeholder needs.

Company Analysis:

Siemens, as a global technology leader, operates at the intersection of industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare, with a clear commitment to sustainability and innovation. This breadth and scale provide a rich ecosystem where technical roles like this one not only impact isolated projects but contribute to broader global initiatives in electrification and digitalization. Given Siemens’ stature and disciplined culture, the company demands high technical rigor, professionalism, and adherence to safety and quality standards. Siemens’ values emphasizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability signal a supportive environment but also one that expects employees to champion these principles actively. The company’s emphasis on combining real and digital worlds aligns tightly with this role’s need to blend traditional electrical engineering principles with advanced communication and automation technologies. The role likely sits within a larger matrix of engineers, project managers, and sales teams, offering substantial exposure to leadership and cross-functional collaboration. Strategic alignment suggests this hire is part of Siemens’ commitment to delivering cutting-edge, customized power protection solutions that support infrastructure modernization and resiliency goals. For a candidate, thriving here requires technical mastery, a proactive mindset, cultural agility, and a passion for mission-driven technology that shapes essential infrastructure for today and the future.

Absolutely. Here are some mock interview questions that could come up:

• Behavioral: Tell me about a time when you led a project involving complex protection panel designs. How did you manage the technical and team challenges?
• Behavioral: Describe an experience where you had to troubleshoot a protection system issue on-site. What steps did you take to identify and resolve the problem?
• Behavioral: Can you share an example of when you had to collaborate with cross-functional teams, such as sales and commissioning, to deliver a project? How did you ensure effective communication?
• Behavioral: Give an example of how you adapted to a significant change in project scope or customer requirements. How did you handle it?
• Technical: How do you approach designing protection and automation panels to ensure compliance with ANSI and IEC standards?
• Technical: Explain how you would develop and implement logic diagrams and protection schemes based on customer specifications.
• Technical: What is your experience with communication protocols like IEC 61850, DNP3, or Modbus, and how have you integrated them into protection system designs?
• Technical: Describe your familiarity with AutoCAD Electrical or Engineering Base software and how you use these tools in panel design.
• Situational: Imagine you discover a discrepancy between customer specifications and existing system requirements late in the design phase. How do you manage this challenge?
• Situational: If during a Factory Acceptance Test, a key function in a protection panel fails, what immediate actions would you take?
• Situational: You are assigned a large project with tight deadlines and cross-regional teams. How would you coordinate to ensure timely delivery and quality?
• Company Fit: What motivates you to work for Siemens and specifically in the Protection and Automation Panels business?
• Company Fit: How do you see Siemens’ commitment to sustainability and diversity influencing your approach to this engineering role?
• Company Fit: Siemens blends digital and real-world technologies. How do you embrace or contribute to this integration in your engineering practice?
• Questions to ask interviewer: Can you describe how this role collaborates with other departments, such as sales and commissioning teams, on daily basis?
• Questions to ask interviewer: What are the current biggest technical challenges the Protection and Automation Panel team is facing?
• Questions to ask interviewer: How does Siemens support ongoing professional development and career progression for engineers in this role?