SCADA & Commissioning Engineer

Scout Clean Energy•Boulder, CO

3d•$150,000 - $170,000•Hybrid

About The Position

As Scout’s SCADA & Commissiong Engineer, you will lead the design, configuration, and onsite commissioning of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Operational Technology (OT) systems across our utility-scale solar, wind, and BESS projects. As part of the Construction Engineering team, you will ensure that all digital control layers—from individual inverters to the Power Plant Controllers—are engineered for reliability, security, and peak performance before handover to the Operations & Maintenance team.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer science, control systems engineering, or related field from an accredited technical university
2-4 years commissioning experience on Utility Scale Wind, Solar PV or Battery Energy Storage projects. Experience with integration of Battery Energy Storage Systems into Wind or Solar PV plant is a must.
3-5 years of applied knowledge in electrical utility SCADA systems, substation instrumentation and controls, industrial automation, embedded system development, or equivalent experience in a critical operations industry reliant on integrated operational technologies and equipment
Strong verbal and written communication skills. Has proven experience developing technical documentation, including exhibits, scope of works, functional descriptions, and plant control narratives
Skilled in MS Excel, MS Word and Outlook
Clear passion and motivation to work in the renewables industry
Ability to effectively communicate with and build cross-functional relationships and collaborate with stakeholders across a diverse range of experience and skillsets; such as development, construction and operations, to ensure that project delivery, schedule and quality are met
Coordinates with technical members of adjacent teams to align on work deliverables that impact one another; seeks to understand and resolve gaps and escalates issues through appropriate channels
Adept at collaboration in a team environment and using team collaboration tools and software, such as Procore and MS Teams applications
Demonstrated experience overseeing contractors delivering technical work
Ability to work autonomously without oversight. Takes ownership of work and is proactive in resolving issues; seeks guidance when direction is needed. Reports upwards on project status and progress
Ability to perform effectively in high-pressure situations while maintaining focus and calmness
Ability to provide timely assessments and act decisively with limited information and/or assumptions
Ability to organize and manage multiple projects simultaneously
High attention to detail. Structured and thorough in analyzing and documenting requirements and creating technical documentation for different stakeholders

Nice To Haves

In depth knowledge of control system requirements for Wind, Solar PV, and BESS electrical generation and working knowledge of the fundamentals of power systems, such as calculating or interpreting voltage drop profiles, power factor corrections, harmonic distortion, phase imbalance, and transient responses
Working knowledge and prior programming experience of SEL RTAC or comparable plant control devices
In depth knowledge of power plant control systems architecture and software, and a working knowledge of control theory and its application in power plant controllers
Working knowledge of IT/OT network design fundamentals and telecommunications tools, including fiber/ethernet, switch, and VLAN configuration.
Working knowledge of wireless communications technologies, such as microwave or satellite
Understanding of network security protocols and cyber security standards
Understanding of programming substation relays (GE, SEL, etc.)
Understanding of OPC, Modbus, SEL, EtherNet/IP and DNP3 protocols
Ability to interpret NERC, ERCOT, WECC, CAISO, SPP, PJM and MISO regulations

Responsibilities

Lead owner-side SCADA engineering from conceptual design through commissioning and Operations handoff
Lead technical reviews of vendor submittals and drawings. Approve SCADA design packages (30%, 60%, 90%, and IFC) , including communications architecture, point mapping, and commissioning procedures
Specify and validate SCADA system components (RTUs, RTACs, PPCs, HMIs, communications infrastructure)
Define and document control and data interfaces between BESS subsystems and site SCADA, PPC, substation systems, revenue metering, remote operations connectivity, interconnecting utility and ISO/RTO
Coordinate with EPCs, OEMs, plant controller vendors, utilities, and ISOs to ensure design and integration alignment
Manage and support FAT, SAT, point-to-point testing, telemetry checkout, and control verification for SCADA Equipment
Lead the configuration and troubleshooting of Power Plant Controllers (PPC), RTUs, HMIs, and protection relays using protocols such as Modbus, DNP3, and IEC 61850.
Review and validate PPC control philosophies including active power, reactive power, Volt/VAr, Volt/Watt, frequency response, curtailment, Automatic Generation Control and BESS operating modes.
Provide on-site and remote commissioning, testing, energization, and troubleshooting support, including pre-functional checks, functional testing, and final system validation to ensure assets operate according to design specifications
Support utility witness testing and commercial operation testing activities
Manage troubleshooting for complex integration issues involving protocols, network performance, data quality, and control interlocks during construction and commissioning
Verify plant controls comply with applicable grid (e.g. NERC/CIP), utility, and regulatory SCADA requirements and coordinate required SCADA checkouts and point-to-point testing
Lead development of specifications and scope of work for SCADA, power plant controller, RTU, and IT equipment networks and implementation
Provide requirements needed to procure telecom services and field communications solutions
Deliver complete as-built documentation and lessons learned to Operations
Provide post-handover SCADA support, including troubleshooting
Scope, Manage, and Execute Operations-driven SCADA projects as required
Define and coordinate OT network integration scope and execution plans
Review and validate OT network architectures and detailed designs, ensuring telemetry requirements of Interconnecting Utilities/RTO/ISO/TOP’s, PPA Offtakers, OEM service providers, Scheduling Coordinators, and other applicable requirements are implemented.
Coordinate implementation of site switches, firewalls, ISPs, and VPNs per approved designs
Validate network configurations (IP schemes, VLANs, interfaces, firewall rules)
Support commissioning, troubleshooting, and Operations handoff of OT networks
Coordinate with cross functional teams to ensure SCADA deliverables align with overall project requirements and critical path schedules.
Support the Resource Integration Manager during interconnection activities by reviewing telemetry, data, and control requirements in GIAs
Ensure interconnection requirements are incorporated into EPC’s SCADA and PPC scope and designs
Coordinate points list, telemetry checkout, and control integrations with utilities and grid operators
Develop and execute SCADA and PPC commissioning test plans in coordination with Resource Integration Manager
Support the IT and Cybersecurity Manager to ensure IT and Cybersecurity network requirements are incorporated into EPC scope, specifications, and designs
Coordinate formal handover of site networks from EPC to IT and Cybersecurity teams
Interface with the Site Management Team and Remote Operations Team to ensure AMO requirements are incorporated into EPC scope, specifications, and design reviews
Support AMO participation in SCADA and PPC FAT, SAT, commissioning, and system acceptance activities
Support continuous improvement by incorporating AMO feedback into standards, designs, and future projects
Provide troubleshooting, SCADA and OT Networking operational project scoping feedback, and technical expertise support to AMO on an ad-hoc basis.