Communications & Control Engineer - Job Family

NiSource•Hammond, IN

6d•$67,900 - $165,300•Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for the implementation, analysis, testing, operation and maintenance of advanced communication and control systems that support the reliable operation of electric utility infrastructure. Telecomm Field Engineers work hands-on in the field with technologies such as fiber optics, microwave radio systems, RF systems, RF (900Mhz) and fiber optic Field Area Networks (FANs), MPLS-TP nodes, SCADA systems, and carrier-grade protection systems. While not design engineers, Telecomm Field Engineers collaborate closely with design teams to ensure systems meet operational needs and performance standards.

Requirements

Understanding of fiber optic systems, RF technologies, microwave radio equipment, and SCADA systems.
Familiarity with MPLS-TP, Ethernet networking, IP routing protocols, and SCADA communication standards (e.g., DNP3, Modbus).
Ability to use engineering software and tools for testing and diagnostics.
Strong understanding of utility communication systems and their role in grid reliability.
Must have a valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Prior military experience involving radar, radio, or electronic communication systems.
Familiarity with cellular technologies and infrastructure.
Active or former ham radio operator (amateur radio license).
Knowledge of NERC/CIP standards and utility communication compliance requirements.
Familiarity with tools such as Wireshark, SEL AcSELerator, SCADA system interfaces, and Python scripting PLC’s, Industrial Automation, Telecomm Systems.
Understanding of carrier protection systems, tuners, wave-traps, utility line protection systems.
Familiarity with utility-specific technologies such as Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI).
Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, and Power Line Carrier.

Responsibilities

Assists in the installation, testing, and troubleshooting of communication systems including fiber optics, microwave radios, RF networks, and SCADA components.
Supports configuration and validation of MPLS-TP nodes and network devices operating at speeds up to 100 Gbps.
Participates in field verification of carrier protection systems and remote terminal units (RTUs).
Aids in the analysis of system faults and communication failures to identify root causes and recommend corrective actions.
Works with design engineers to ensure field implementations align with system requirements and standards.
Maintains documentation and records for system configurations, test results, and maintenance activities.
Independently performs testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting of complex communication and SCADA systems.
Develops and maintains RTU configurations, network configurations and routing schemes for SCADA, MPLS-TP, and FAN systems.
Analyzes system performance metrics and recommends improvements to enhance reliability and throughput.
Provides technical support for field personnel and assists in training on new systems and technologies.
Conducts peer reviews of junior engineers’ work and contributes to continuous improvement initiatives.
Leads field implementation of new communication technologies and SCADA system upgrades.
Develops and tests advanced RF, fiber optic, and SCADA communication schemes for utility applications.
Serves as a subject matter expert on microwave radio systems, MPLS-TP architecture, SCADA protocols, and carrier protection systems.
Participates in the development of standards and best practices for communication system deployment and maintenance.
Supports compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements (e.g., NERC, CIP, IEEE).
Engages in industry forums and technical groups to stay current with emerging technologies and practices.
Provides technical leadership and mentorship to engineering staff.
Oversees complex projects involving multi-technology communication and SCADA systems and ensures high-quality execution by the rest of the team.
Represents the group in cross-functional meetings and external engagements.
Helps develop and approve future projects, design templates, and hardware used in current and future designs.
Identifies and implements process improvements to enhance system reliability, efficiency, and maintainability.
Leads strategic initiatives to modernize communication infrastructure and integrate new technologies.