Senior I&C Engineer

Contour Global • Houston, TX

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled I&C (Instrumentation & Control) Engineer with expertise in SCADA systems to join our Engineering team! In this role, you will report to the Discipline Leader and will perform control and design of protection systems and associated engineering activities across our portfolio of renewable energy plants (solar, wind, etc.). This role requires technical proficiency throughout the entire project lifecycle, from feasibility studies and design to construction and commissioning phases.
This is an owner’s-representative role. The position will be responsible for evaluating, procuring, and managing a network of third-party SCADA integrators, I&C consultants, and EPC contractors — and critically reviewing all SCADA and controls deliverables to ensure they meet the company’s technical standards, comply with applicable codes and interconnection requirements, and deliver reliable long-term plant performance.

The ideal candidate combines deep technical knowledge of utility-scale SCADA, energy management systems (EMS), plant controls, and communications architecture with commercial acumen, strong project management skills, and the ability to translate complex control systems concepts into clear guidance for non-technical executives, lenders, and investors.

Join us to drive the right power forward and make clean energy the natural choice for all!

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Minimum 6+ years of progressive SCADA, I&C, or control systems engineering experience, with at least 4 years directly related to utility-scale solar PV and/or BESS projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing third-party SCADA integrators and reviewing SCADA/I&C design packages as an owner’s representative or developer-side engineer.
• Strong working knowledge of SCADA architecture, PLC/RTU platforms, HMI design, control network communications (Modbus, DNP3, IEC 61850, ICCP), and cybersecurity frameworks.
• Solid understanding of utility interconnection SCADA/telemetry requirements and experience coordinating with utilities and ISOs/RTOs on SCADA interface compliance.
• Familiarity with BESS EMS and BMS integration, including dispatch control logic, SOC management, and BESS protection schemes.
• Experience reviewing I&C deliverables including instrument lists, loop diagrams, control narratives, wiring diagrams, and FAT/SAT procedures.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to distill complex control systems topics into clear technical summaries for non-engineer audiences including executives and lenders.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems, or related field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license (Electrical), active and in good standing in at least one U.S. state.
• Experience with NERC CIP compliance frameworks and familiarity with Low or Medium Impact BES Cyber System classification requirements for renewable generation facilities.
• Familiarity with FERC Order 2222, distributed energy resource aggregation, and advanced inverter control capabilities (volt-VAR, frequency-watt, grid-forming).
• Hands-on experience with at least one of SCADA/EMS platforms relevant to solar and BESS (e.g., GE CIMPLICITY, Inductive Automation Ignition, OSIsoft PI, Trimark GreenHat, AlsoEnergy PowerTrack).
• Experience with IEC 61850 substation automation and GOOSE messaging in the context of solar plant protection and control.
• Familiarity with energy storage interconnection standards including IEEE 1547-2018 and relevant utility-specific large generator interconnection requirements.
• Experience supporting project finance transactions in a technical capacity, including independent engineer coordination and lender technical due diligence.
• Knowledge of revenue metering standards (ANSI C12 series) and utility metering interface requirements.

Responsibilities

• Technical Due Diligence & Acquisition Support Review SCADA architecture diagrams, control philosophy documents, communication network designs, and interconnection telemetry requirements for acquisition targets.
• Identify and quantify control systems risks — cybersecurity gaps, EMS/BMS interoperability issues, NERC CIP applicability, and telemetry compliance — and translate findings into risk matrices with commercial impact assessments.
• Provide SCADA/controls CapEx benchmarking for acquisition financial models, covering hardware, communications, cybersecurity, and long-term O&M cost inputs.
• Deliver SCADA and controls recommendations on target acquisitions during engineering and construction phases and evaluate risks.
• Consultant & Integrator Management Build and manage a qualified roster of SCADA integrators, I&C consultants, and cybersecurity specialists; support procurement during RFP/RFQ processes.
• Draft detailed scopes of work for consultant engagements, negotiate contracts, and manage invoices and change orders in coordination with legal and finance.
• Establish performance standards, review cadences, and deliverable checklists; maintain a vendor performance database to continuously optimize the integrator network.
• SCADA Architecture & Control System Design Review Review SCADA master station design, RTU/PLC configurations, HMI layouts, historian setup, and communications network topology for technical accuracy and long-term reliability.
• Evaluate plant EMS designs for solar+storage projects, including dispatch logic, SOC management, ramp rate control, frequency response, and curtailment strategies.
• Assess BESS BMS-to-EMS integration, inverter/tracker communications architecture, and third-party monitoring platform interfaces (e.g., Trimark, OSIsoft PI, etc.).
• Review cybersecurity architecture for NERC CIP compliance and industry best practices, including network segmentation, access controls, and remote access security.
• Verify control system designs against interconnection telemetry requirements, applicable IEEE standards (IEEE 1547, IEEE 2030), and utility-specific SCADA interface specifications.
• Interconnection & Utility Interface Coordination Serve as the company’s technical lead on SCADA and telemetry requirements during interconnection negotiations, interpreting utility ICA/ISA documents and translating them into design criteria for integrators and EPC contractors.
• Oversee development and submission of SCADA point lists, communication diagrams, and telemetry test plans required for interconnection approval.
• Coordinate with utilities and ISOs/RTOs on DNP3/ICCP protocol specifications, data exchange testing, and AGC/AVR capability verification.
• I&C Design Management & Technical Review Manage the I&C design process from conceptual through IFC, reviewing instrument lists, I/O schedules, loop diagrams, wiring diagrams, panel schedules, and control narratives.
• Review MET station designs, revenue-grade metering configurations, and protection relay communications (IEC 61850 GOOSE, DNP3) as they interface with SCADA and plant controls.
• Evaluate BESS-specific I&C requirements including thermal management system (TMS) controls, fire suppression interfaces, container environmental monitoring, and e-stop circuit designs.
• FAT, SAT, Commissioning & COD Support Develop and review FAT procedures for SCADA systems, EMS platforms, RTUs/PLCs, and BESS BMS integrations; witness or designate company representative for FAT execution at integrator facilities.
• Develop and review SAT and commissioning procedures; serve as the owner’s technical representative during on-site commissioning and coordinate utility SCADA witness testing for interconnection energization.
• Track SCADA/I&C punchlist items through Substantial Completion and COD; ensure as-built documentation packages are complete and handed off to the O&M team with appropriate training.
• Lender, Investor & Independent Engineer Support Review Independent Engineer reports for SCADA and controls findings and prepare technical response memoranda with proposed mitigations.
• Support insurance underwriting and O&M agreement negotiations by addressing SCADA cybersecurity, control system reliability, and BESS controls risk questions.
• Portfolio Standards & Knowledge Management Develop and maintain company SCADA and I&C technical standards, specification templates, and point list standards to drive consistency across the portfolio.
• Track emerging SCADA and controls technologies (e.g., IEC 61850 adoption, AI-based dispatch optimization, cloud-native SCADA, grid-forming inverter control) and incorporate best practices into company standards.
• Provide SCADA and controls training to development and construction management colleagues; lead post-COD lessons-learned reviews and translate findings into updated standards and procurement practices.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience.
• Annual performance bonus tied to project milestones and individual objectives.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits.
• 401(k) with dolar to dolar company match up to 6%.
• Professional development support including PE license maintenance, conference attendance, and technical training.
• Flexible hybrid work arrangement with periodic travel to offices and project sites.

What This Job Offers

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