Senior SCADA & Automation Engineer 1 - Grid

Sargent & Lundy•Elkridge, MD

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

As an Automation Engineer in Sargent & Lundy’s Electric Grid Infrastructure Services business unit, you will plan, engineer, and design SCADA and communications systems for client projects. The work supports operational requirements and emerging applications such as Smart Grid, substation and distribution automation, battery energy storage, and microgrid controllers. You may travel to client and vendor offices as needed, with travel of up to 30%. The role uses a hybrid arrangement: three days per week in the office and two days remote. A generous relocation package may be available depending on location. You will develop and configure SCADA, communications, automation, and network systems; troubleshoot them remotely and onsite when required; and stage and test integrated designs in the Protection, Automation & Telecommunication Laboratory. The role requires strict adherence to NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection standards. You will coordinate with engineers, project managers, clients, and suppliers, and provide guidance and mentorship to less experienced engineers. Professional development includes peer learning through Sargent & Lundy’s Communities of Practice. The position requires five years of relevant experience. Sargent & Lundy does not sponsor U.S. work authorization for this position. The compensation range is $84,762–$129,498. Eligible positions include a base salary or hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package; employees may also be eligible for a yearly discretionary bonus.

Requirements

Five years of experience designing, configuring, implementing, and troubleshooting substation SCADA and communication systems.
Experience with SEL, Novatech, and GE RTUs and associated software.
Basic understanding of LAN/WAN devices and topology.
Knowledge of DNP, Modbus, SEL, and IEC 61850 (MMS/Goose) protocols, including serial and IP-based protocols.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Ability and willingness to travel up to 30%.
Must be eligible to work in the U.S. without employer-sponsored work authorization; the employer does not sponsor work authorization for this position.

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (P.E.) license.
Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications, or Computer Systems Engineering.
Experience with communication troubleshooting software or hardware, such as ASE Test Set and Wireshark.
Protective relay settings experience with SEL, GE, ABB, or similar systems.
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 relevant to the role.
Experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies.

Responsibilities

Plan, engineer, and design SCADA and communications systems for client projects.
Develop communication block diagrams, panel layouts and bills of material, SCADA AC and DC schematics, fiber detail drawings, and network drawings.
Review and provide design input on protection and control drawings for SCADA system requirements.
Develop point lists for data transferred between RTUs, IEDs, and master station connections.
Configure Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), including SEL RTAC, Novatech OrionLX, SMP Gateway, and GE-D20 systems.
Configure programmable automation controllers (PACs), including SEL-2440 and SEL-2411 systems.
Program Human Machine Interface (HMI) applications using tools such as SEL Diagram Builder, Inkscape, and Wonderware.
Coordinate with relay settings engineers to develop or review communication port settings for protection relays, meters, and other IEDs.
Develop configurations for network devices such as switches, routers, and firewalls.
Troubleshoot SCADA network and communication systems remotely and onsite as required.
Develop SCADA system and network documentation for projects.
Develop automation tools, such as Python 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.
Develop professional knowledge through peer learning and sharing knowledge with experienced engineers.
Mentor and guide less experienced engineers.
Travel to client and vendor offices as needed; ability and willingness to travel up to 30% is required.