Careers
Frequently-Asked Questions
- Can you give a brief overview?
- Where are S&C’s facilities?
- What are the company’s plans for new products/services and future growth?
- Who do you view as your major competitors and what sets you apart from them?
- What kinds of job opportunities does S&C offer?
- Do you have an internship or co-op program?
- Where do technical and engineering graduates typically start in your company?
- Do you have a formal engineering training program?
- Where does someone start in manufacturing?
- Are there positions available for experienced candidates?
- What type of compensation and benefits package do you offer?
- When, where, and how do you recruit?
- Are there any interview tips you can provide interested candidates?
- How about any red flags?
- Please describe your ideal candidate.
- Describe your company’s unique culture and attitude.
- What makes your company a desirable working environment?
- Describe the typical work week and the amount of expected travel.
- Does the company have a dress code? If so, what is it?
- Describe the level of diversity at your company.
- What are the most important attributes for success in your company?
- What are the opportunities for growth and advancement?
- Describe the performance review process.
- Any final thoughts?
Company Basics
Can you give a brief overview?
S&C traces its roots back 90 years to the invention of the first practical high-voltage fuse, which was crucial to the development of the electric power industry. Today, S&C maintains its focus on electric power switching and protection and through this concentration has developed a reputation for technical leadership in the industry. S&C’s customers for products and services include electric utilities and large users of electric power around the world.
The company is headquartered at the John R. Conrad Industrial Complex, one of Chicago’s largest and most modern manufacturing centers. Located about eight miles north of the Loop, the S&C complex includes production, R&D, laboratory and office facilities on 46 landscaped acres.
The company has subsidiaries in Canada, Brazil, and China. In 1999, S&C acquired two smaller companies, EnergyLine Systems, Inc., in Alameda, CA, and Omnion Power Engineering Corp. in East Troy, WI.
What are the company’s plans for new products/services and future growth?
New product development and recent acquisitions have kept S&C in the forefront of its industry, especially in such fields as distribution automation, power reliability, and power quality. With more new products in the pipeline, a burgeoning services business and a growing presence in international markets, S&C expects continued strong growth for the foreseeable future. In the past four years, S&C's business has expanded approximately 50%.
Who do you view as your major competitors and what sets you apart from them?
S&C’s main competitors are individual divisions of very large companies like Siemens and ABB. S&C is a specialist in products and services related to electric power switching and protection, and that specialization gives S&C an edge over companies that are not as clearly focused. As a privately held company, S&C has historically reinvested a significant proportion of its operating income in people, plant, and equipment for the future. Publicly-traded companies find this a difficult strategy to follow.
Employment Opportunities
What kinds of job opportunities does S&C offer?
S&C has a very wide variety of job opportunities from maintenance and office jobs to machinists, assemblers, CNC programmers, engineers, designers, and sales support.
Do you have an internship or co-op program?
S&C typically employs 20-25 co-ops and interns during the calendar year. S&C co-ops and interns come from Northwestern University, University of Illinois/Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois/Chicago, Purdue University/West Lafayette, and other top universities.
Where do technical and engineering graduates typically start in your company?
Most people hired immediately after college work in our major product divisions — focusing on fuses, switches and metal-enclosed-gear products — and in our R&D and Power Systems Services areas. Opportunities are also available at the Power Electronics Division in Franklin, WI.
New employees work on development, design, testing, marketing, and manufacturing of S&C’s product line. Responsibilities might include new product development, electrical and mechanical testing, investigation of new concepts and materials in circuit-interruption technology, participation in industry standards development, manufacturing process improvement, marketing and sales support, and providing assistance to customers.
Do you have a formal engineering training program?
Most entry-level engineers participate in a one- to two-year rotational training program with extended work periods in different areas. Specific assignments are based in part on the preferences, interests, and background of the individual. All employees in the training program are full-time S&Cers and receive the same benefits and opportunities for salary increases as other employees.
Where does someone start in manufacturing?
That depends on how much training or experience the candidate brings. There are opportunities for machinists, welders, punch press operators, assemblers and others. S&C has on-premises training and certification programs to help employees increase their skills and advance to higher positions.
Are there positions available for experienced candidates?
Yes. For up-to-date information, see Available Positions.
What type of compensation and benefits package do you offer?
S&C provides very competitive compensation. The S&C employee benefits package includes health care and dental coverage, life insurance, 401(k) and pension plans, long-term disability coverage, and a generous tuition reimbursement plan. S&Cers receive paid time off every year between Christmas and New Year’s in addition to regular paid vacation.
Landing the Job
When, where, and how do you recruit?
At the college level, S&C’s recruiting focuses on engineers and technical professionals from top universities. We typically visit a small number of schools in the Fall and Spring for on-campus interviews. However, all interested candidates are invited to contact us. Female and minority candidates are encouraged to apply.
Are there any interview tips you can provide interested candidates?
Interested candidates should have obtained some basic background information about S&C from our website or other sources.
Because so much of our work is collaborative, a candidate who has difficulty working in a team-based setting would not enjoy the work environment at S&C.
Please describe your ideal candidate.
We’re looking for team players with excellent technical and communication skills. Although a strong background in S&C’s industry and products is desirable, it is at least as important for candidates to have a genuine interest in an S&C career and a drive to expand their knowledge and skills.
Working at the Company
Describe your company’s unique culture and attitude.
The S&C Statement of Purpose and Guiding Principles declares that “each S&C employee will be treated with respect, dignity, and fairness within S&C’s diverse community of people.” While many companies make similar statements, S&C has worked successfully to make those words a reality and a deeply felt part of the company’s culture.
S&C President and CEO John Estey recently called the S&C workforce the "Tiger Woods" of our industry. S&C is the acknowledged leader in electric power switching and protection, and S&C employees at all levels take pride in their reputation as the best team in the business.
What makes your company a desirable working environment?
Employees who have come to S&C from other companies frequently comment on the extraordinarily strong and positive working relationships among S&Cers. Experienced S&C employees show an extraordinary willingness to share their knowledge and to act as guides and mentors for those new to the company. These positive relationships are fostered away from work, too, through popular sports leagues, "Family Days" at the John R. Conrad Industrial Complex, and periodic company outings to local attractions like Great America.
Describe the typical work week and the amount of expected travel.
Most S&Cers in technical and professional positions work about 45 hours per week. Manufacturing jobs often include overtime when business volume is high. Travel depends on the particular job and work at hand. Positions that might require travel include sales, marketing, engineering and field service. In recent years manufacturing employees have traveled to S&C subsidiaries to provide training in S&C methods.
Does the company have a dress code? If so, what is it?
Business casual.
Describe the level of diversity at your company.
S&C’s headquarters is in one of the most culturally diverse areas of Chicago, which is one of the world’s most diverse cities. For years, S&C has recognized the strength that diversity brings to the S&C team. That team today includes employees born in a virtual "United Nations" of countries around the world. S&C has a tradition of providing equal employment opportunities.
Climbing the Company Ladder
What are the most important attributes for success in your company?
Technical capability, teamwork, good communication skills, commitment to getting the job done, and a strong desire to expand one’s knowledge and learn new skills.
What are the opportunities for growth and advancement?
Employees have numerous opportunities to acquire detailed knowledge of our products, processes, and industry through varied work assignments, thereby making themselves more valuable to the company. S&C has no single path for advancement. It has opportunities for employees who develop themselves as individual contributors as well as those who move into supervision.
Describe the performance review process.
New employees have a performance review after six months, with another review that typically includes a salary increase after one year. Reviews are held annually thereafter, focusing on the past year’s accomplishments along with goals and development plans for the future.
S&C is a special company with a reputation for integrity, innovation, and customer service. Like many other organizations, we have attracted top-notch people. Unlike many others, we have retained a significant proportion of these world-class employees. S&C is a place where talented people can find rewarding and challenging careers.