SCADA and Automation Engineer - Technical Director

WSP • Boise, ID

20h • $145,400 - $278,400 • Hybrid

About The Position

WSP is seeking a SCADA and Automation Engineer – Technical Director for its Boise, ID office, with consideration for candidates in Clarkston, WA, Portland, OR, San Diego, CA, Denver, CO, Salt Lake City, UT, and Ft. Lauderdale, FL. This role involves leading projects within the Electrical Studies, SCADA, and Protection (ESSP) group, contributing to a growing organization focused on client objectives and challenges. WSP, with its acquisition of POWER Engineers, Inc. and TRC Companies, offers global expertise in power delivery, generation, and program management, aiming to shape the evolution of energy systems worldwide. The successful applicant will lead projects, maintain client relationships, and leverage strong technical expertise, project leadership, and mentoring abilities. Projects will primarily focus on utility SCADA, automation, communications, and control systems for transmission and distribution substations, generation facilities, and utility control centers, encompassing both conventional and renewable energy systems. The role also requires experience in supporting proposals, building client relationships, and identifying new business opportunities. The ideal candidate will be self-sufficient, capable of communicating complex technical issues to diverse audiences, and adept at managing project priorities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• 12+ years of relevant post education experience as an electrical engineer providing design deliverables for SCADA projects in power generation, transmission, and distribution at a utility, industrial, or commercial scale.
• Engineer license required (or equivalent).
• Advanced proficiency with electrical engineering principles, practices, process, design/build, standard of care, and the application to permitting and project work-related issues.
• Works independently and provides guidance and leadership to mid-level to senior level team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively, persuasively, and tactfully interact with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Tactical lateral thinking and strong analytical skills with attention to detail and prioritization of responsibilities in a pressure work environment.
• Must be flexible to a variety of schedules to meet business needs and able to prioritize responsibilities and quickly adapt to change.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s Degree in Engineering.
• Strong experience in managing the review and approval of documents and discipline-specific deliverables, certifications, processes, and plans in a multi-project environment is highly desirable.
• Professional Engineering (PE) multi-state preferred
• Preference will be given to applicants with a proven history of completing similar projects in a consulting environment
• Preference is also given to applicants with experience in mentoring others and in providing technical and commercial leadership in customer-focused engineering projects
• Preference is also given to applicants with experience in customer focused engineering projects in the technical areas above
• Experience with legacy SCADA protocols a plus
• IEC 61850 System Configuration Tool experience a plus
• Familiarity with SCADA/EMS/ADMS software a plus

Responsibilities

• Provides technical support and leadership in design, engineering, and commissioning of utility, industrial, and commercial scale SCADA projects in the public and private sector. Tasks include specification, design, concept development, and commissioning of transmission and distribution substations, power distribution, power regulation, renewable energy, as well as protection and control systems for a wide variety of clients.
• Provides guidance to project managers and engineers that address current and future project challenges.
• Provides a level of project quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, safety, and functionality.
• Leadership: Coordinate, review and approve electrical infrastructure design plans for mid-level and complex projects, ensuring data integrity and work is compliant with all applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations.
• Data Acquisition: Prepare points lists of all data to be transferred between control centers and controlled apparatus, assign and program data addressing and routing information, develop Human Machine Interface (HMI) screens, travel to project sites to test and commission data transfer schemes.
• Networking: Design and configure network and communication paths for Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), Data Concentrators, Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs), Human Machine Interface (HMIs), and other SCADA system equipment inside the substation or facility.
• Communications: Specify and design communication networks including data security and availability. Develop basic specifications for fiber optic, microwave, power line carrier, or radio communication paths; infrequent travel to project sites to troubleshoot and commission network and communication systems.
• Working knowledge or awareness of applicable industry SCADA practices outlined in IEEE, IEC, ANSI, CIGRE, or NERC standards and regulations for design work.
• Applicable network and communication protocols: DNP, Modbus, and IEC 61850 specified protocols
• Applicable Logic and Control Platforms: SEL RTAC, NovaTech Orion, Eaton SMP
• Applicable Software: Wonderware, AcSELerator RTAC, NovaTech NCD/Inkscape
• Logic and Control Systems: develop, document, and implement logic and control schemes for remote and local operation of power system equipment (Microgrid, Volt/Var Control, Load Shedding, Distribution Automation, and other custom logic); develop programs on various platforms for implementation of these schemes; travel to project sites to test and commission the control schemes.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Benefits

• coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life
• retirement savings
• paid sick leave
• paid vacation (or other personal time)
• paid parental leave
• paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior