III - Communications

Montana-Dakota Utilities Co.•Bismarck, ND

5d•$73,460 - $121,390•Hybrid

About The Position

This role is responsible for the design and day-to-day support of the 2-way radio system and Energy Management System (EMS), including upgrades, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), SCADA, ICCP, AGC, and database management. The position involves performing detailed engineering designs, cost estimates for capital and O&M projects, and procurement of materials. A key responsibility is ensuring the Company’s electric operations remain compliant with North American Electric Reliability Cooperation (NERC) reliability standards, acting as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for designated standards. The role also provides direction, training, technical guidance, and resource knowledge to departmental staff. The job description outlines three levels: Engineer I (entry-level with guidance), Engineer II (moderate guidance), and Engineer III (leads projects, provides direction).

Requirements

Must possess a bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline (Engineer I, II, III).
Two years related work experience (Engineer II).
Five years of progressively responsible experience and understanding of communication systems, hardware, and EMS (Engineer III).
Must take all measures necessary to protect networks, devices, programs and data from cyber-attack, damage or unauthorized access.
Required to maintain a valid driver’s license.
Must submit to periodic background checks.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United State, no sponsorships considered.
Subject to pre-employment drug screen and background check.

Nice To Haves

Electrical or Computer Engineering curriculum with communications or embedder emphasis.
Previous experience with SCADA and Energy Management Systems (EMS).
Familiarity with programming in C/C++, Linux commands, file editing, and Office Suites.
An EI (Engineering Intern) or an EIT (Engineering in Training) Certificate.
Electrical or Computer Engineering curriculum with Communications, Embedder, Electromagnetic, or Cyber emphasis (Engineer III).
Previous experience with DMR Tier III 2-way radio system (Engineer III).

Responsibilities

Leads the design and day-to-day support of the 2-way radio system and Energy Management System (EMS) including: upgrades, FAT, SCADA, ICCP, AGC, and database management.
Performs detailed engineering designs, cost estimates for capital and O&M projects, and procurement of materials.
Ensures the Company’s electric operations remain compliant with North American Electric Reliability Cooperation (NERC) reliability standards and performs as a SME for designated standards.
Provides direction, training, technical guidance, and resource knowledge to departmental staff.
Provides safe, secure, and reliable operation of the communications network, systems, and EMS through continuous involvement with MDU’s NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) procedures as a subject matter expert (SME).
Provides engineering design as well as day to day operation support for the System Control Center staff regarding communications issues and analysis.
Configures, troubleshoots, and updates Energy Management System (EMS) and Front-end Processor (FEP).
Designs, updates, and maintains various EMS subsystems such as ICCP, calculations, video walls, one-line displays, SCADA, and historian.
Programs and configures various makes and models of RTUs and upgrading legacy RTUs.
Applies various supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) communication protocols such as: Modbus, DNP, and SEL fast messaging.
Interfaces with and supports Communication Specialists during retrofits, upgrades, and green field commissioning.
Programs network equipment including firewalls, routers, switches, and wireless devices.
Leads in the engineering design and day-to-day operation support for the System Control Center staff regarding communications issues and EMS analysis (Engineer III).
Responsible for communications network equipment including: switches, routers, firewalls, 2-way radios, and terminal servers (Engineer III).
Responsible for leading Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and On-site testing for software and hardware upgrades (Engineer III).
Designs, maintains, and troubleshoots various communications equipment including: Power Line Carrier, Sonnet, MPLS, VPLS, OPGW, and wireless (Engineer III).
Interfaces with external vendors and supports Communication Specialists during retrofits, upgrades, and green field commissioning (Engineer III).
Acts as project manager of large and complex projects. Prepares scope of work, detailed cost estimates, and establishes schedules (Engineer III).
Participates in the development of the department’s capital and O&M budgets (Engineer III).
Provides direction to department staff in absence of department manager. Provide technical, informational, and other engineering recommendations to management (Engineer III).
Performs other tasks and special projects as assigned.