Lead SCADA & Automation Engineer 1 - Grid
About The Position
The Lead SCADA & Automation Engineer works in Sargent & Lundy’s Electric Grid Infrastructure Services business unit, planning, engineering, and designing SCADA and communications systems for client projects. The work supports operational requirements and emerging applications such as Smart Grid, substation and distribution automation, battery energy storage, and microgrid controllers. The role develops and reviews system designs, drawings, device configurations, HMI applications, network documentation, and automation tools. It also involves integrating and testing systems in the Protection, Automation & Telecommunication Laboratory, troubleshooting communications remotely and onsite when required, and ensuring adherence to NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection standards. The engineer coordinates with project teams, clients, suppliers, relay settings engineers, and other stakeholders, and mentors less experienced engineers. The position has a hybrid work arrangement: three days per week in the office and two days remote. Travel to client and vendor offices may be needed, with travel up to 30%. A generous relocation package may be available depending on location. Sargent & Lundy does not sponsor U.S. work authorization for this position.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications, or Computer Systems Engineering.
- At least 8 years of experience in the design, configuration, implementation, and troubleshooting of substation SCADA and communication systems.
- Experience with SEL, Novatech, and GE RTUs and software.
- Basic understanding of LAN/WAN devices and topology.
- Knowledge of DNP, Modbus, SEL, and IEC 61850 (MMS/Goose) protocols, both serial and IP-based.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 30%.
- Must be authorized to work in the U.S.; the employer does not sponsor work authorization for this position.
Nice To Haves
- Professional Engineer (P.E.) license.
- Master of Science degree in Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications, or Computer Systems Engineering.
- Experience with communications troubleshooting software or hardware, such as ASE Test Set and Wireshark.
- Protective relay settings experience with SEL, GE, ABB, or similar equipment.
- Radio communications experience.
- Network design credentials and applied knowledge of IP/MPLS.
- Experience with Microsoft Project and Visio.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
- Familiarity with NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards and cybersecurity.
- CISSP certification.
- Interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies where relevant; experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued but not required.
Responsibilities
- Plan, engineer, and design SCADA and communications systems for client projects.
- Develop communication block diagrams, panel layouts and bills of material, SCADA AC and DC schematics, fiber detail drawings, and network drawings.
- Review and provide design input on protection and control drawings for SCADA system requirements.
- Develop points lists for data transferred between RTUs, IEDs, and master station connections.
- Develop configurations for remote terminal units (RTUs), including SEL RTAC, Novatech OrionLX, SMP Gateway, and GE-D20.
- Develop configurations for programmable automation controllers (PACs), including SEL-2440 and SEL-2411.
- Program HMI applications using tools such as SEL Diagram Builder, Inkscape, and Wonderware.
- Coordinate with relay settings engineers to develop and review communication port settings for protection relays, meters, and other IEDs.
- Develop configurations for network devices such as switches, routers, and firewalls.
- Troubleshoot SCADA network and communications systems remotely and onsite when required, including DNP, Modbus, SEL Protocol, IEC 61850, TCP/IP, and UDP systems.
- Develop SCADA system and network documentation for projects.
- Develop automation tools, such as Python tools, to improve project efficiency.
- Stage, configure, and test integrated system designs for interoperability and performance in the Protection, Automation & Telecommunication Laboratory.
- Ensure strict adherence to NERC standards for Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP).
- Coordinate with and provide guidance to engineers, project managers, client personnel, and suppliers to ensure complete and timely designs.
- Share knowledge with experienced engineers through peer learning and the company’s Communities of Practice.
- Mentor and guide less experienced engineers.
- Travel to client and vendor offices as needed.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision health plans.
- Life and accident insurance.
- Disability coverage.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Back-up daycare.
- Flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA).
- 401(k).
- Pre-tax commuter account.
- Merit Scholarship Program.
- Employee Discount Program.
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program.
- Tuition assistance.
- First Professional Licensure Bonus.
- Employee Referral Bonus.
- Paid annual personal/sick time (PST).
- Paid vacation.
- Paid holidays.
- Paid parental leave.
- Paid bereavement leave.
- Flexible work arrangements.
- Eligible employees may participate in a yearly discretionary bonus.
- Potential generous relocation package, dependent upon location.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
