SCADA & Controls Engineering Manger

Onward Energy•Denver, CO

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Manager – SCADA & Controls Engineering is responsible for leading the strategy, design, standardization, and performance of Operational Technology (OT) systems across Onward Energy’s fleet of gas, solar, wind, and storage assets. This role owns the reliability, scalability, and cybersecurity posture of SCADA and controls systems, ensuring secure and seamless data flow between field equipment, plant control systems, and enterprise platforms. The Manager partners cross-functionally with Operations, Engineering, IT, Cybersecurity, and external OEMs to deliver best-in-class controls architecture that supports safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations. This leader will build, mentor, and scale a high-performing SCADA engineering team while driving continuous improvement, capital project execution, and innovation across the platform.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience)
8–12+ years of experience in SCADA, controls engineering, or OT systems within power generation or related industries
3+ years of leadership experience managing engineering teams or technical programs
Deep expertise with SCADA systems, RTUs, data historians (e.g., PI), and protocols such as DNP3, OPC, Modbus
Experience supporting renewable (wind/solar/BESS) and/or thermal generation assets

Nice To Haves

Experience with Ignition, Wonderware, or similar SCADA platforms
Familiarity with SEL-RTAC, communications networks, and industrial control systems architecture
Knowledge of NERC CIP standards and OT cybersecurity best practices
Experience with scripting or automation tools (Python preferred)
Experience leading capital projects, integrations, or large-scale system deployments

Responsibilities

Lead, develop, and manage a team of SCADA and Controls Engineers; set priorities, provide mentorship, and drive performance
Define and execute enterprise-wide SCADA/OT strategy, including platform standardization (e.g., Ignition), architecture, and long-term roadmap
Establish engineering standards, best practices, and governance for SCADA and control systems across all assets
Partner with executive leadership to align SCADA capabilities with business growth, acquisitions, and operational objectives
Oversee design, implementation, and lifecycle management of SCADA systems, RTUs, data historians, and communications infrastructure
Ensure high system availability, reliability, and performance across the fleet
Drive root cause analysis and resolution of complex system issues impacting plant operations
Standardize data acquisition, control logic, alarming, and visualization across technologies and OEMs
Act as the primary liaison with IT Cybersecurity for OT environments to ensure secure architecture and compliance with NERC CIP requirements
Establish and enforce security standards, access controls, and network segmentation for OT systems
Lead audits, assessments, and ongoing compliance initiatives related to SCADA and controls
Lead SCADA and controls scope for new builds, repowers, and acquisitions, including design review, commissioning, and integration
Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and performance for OEMs, integrators, and technology providers
Evaluate and implement emerging technologies, including advanced analytics, AI initiatives, and cloud integration of operational data
Serve as the primary point of escalation for SCADA-related issues impacting operations
Partner with plant operations teams to ensure systems meet field needs and improve asset performance
Work closely with IT and data teams to enable enterprise data strategy and analytics platforms