Lead SCADA & Automation Engineer 1 - Grid

Sargent & Lundy•Reading, PA

1d•$118,023 - $180,313•Hybrid

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 including Smart Grid, substation and distribution automation, battery energy storage, and microgrid controllers. The position includes developing system designs and documentation, configuring and programming automation equipment, troubleshooting communications, and staging and testing integrated systems in the Protection, Automation & Telecommunication Laboratory. The engineer ensures adherence to NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection standards and coordinates with engineers, project managers, clients, and suppliers. The role also includes mentoring less experienced engineers and may require travel to client and vendor offices. It offers a hybrid work arrangement: three days per week in the office and two days remotely. A generous relocation package may be available depending on location. Sargent & Lundy describes its compensation package as including salary or hourly pay and benefits, and eligible employees may also participate in a yearly discretionary bonus. The stated compensation range is $118,023–$180,313. The company does not sponsor U.S. work authorization for this position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications, or Computer Systems Engineering.
Eight 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 already have U.S. work authorization; 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 communication troubleshooting software or hardware, such as ASE Test Set or Wireshark.
Protective relay settings experience with SEL, GE, ABB, or similar equipment.
Radio communications experience.
Network design credentials and applied knowledge of IP/MPLS.
Proficiency 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 unless specified elsewhere.

Responsibilities

Plan, engineer, and design SCADA and communications systems for client projects.
Develop communication block diagrams, panel layout and bill-of-material drawings, SCADA AC and DC schematics, fiber detail drawings, and network drawings.
Review and provide design input on protection and control drawings to address SCADA system requirements.
Develop point lists for data transferred between RTUs, IEDs, and master-station connections.
Develop configurations for remote terminal units (RTUs) and programmable automation controllers (PACs).
Program human-machine interface (HMI) applications.
Coordinate with relay settings engineers to develop or review communication port settings for protection relays, meters, and other IEDs.
Develop configurations for network devices, including switches, routers, and firewalls.
Troubleshoot SCADA network and communications systems remotely and onsite when required.
Develop SCADA system and network documentation for projects.
Develop automation 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 Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards.
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 processes and Communities of Practice.
Mentor and guide less experienced engineers.
Travel to client and vendor offices as needed; the role requires willingness to travel up to 30%.