SCADA Systems Engineer

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering, Information / Operations Technology, or related field required, or equivalent experience in SCADA, utility operations, automation, controls, communications, or power systems may be considered.

Professional Engineer license, EIT certification, or related technical certifications are a plus, but not required.

Strong knowledge of electric distribution systems, substations, feeders, switching devices, and utility operations required.

Experience with electric utility SCADA systems, RTUs, protective relays, distribution automation devices, or substation equipment strongly preferred.

Familiarity with SCADA protocols such as DNP3, Modbus, SEL, IEC 61850, or similar communication protocols.

Knowledge of SEL relays, recloser controls, capacitor controls, regulator controls, RTUs, and communication processors.

Experience with fiber networks, radios, cellular routers, Ethernet switches, firewalls, and IP networking.

Experience with SQL, Power BI, historian systems, scripting, or data analytics.

Understanding of cybersecurity practices for operational technology systems.

Experience with SCADA commissioning, point-to-point testing, and field troubleshooting; ability to troubleshoot both electrical and communication issues and prioritize issues affecting system visibility, control, reliability, and safety.

Good written and verbal communication skills with ability to clearly explain technical issues to varied audiences (engineers, dispatchers, linemen, IT staff, and management).

Detail-oriented with strong documentation and problem-solving skills; ability to drive change management toward issue resolution and continuous improvement.

Valid driver’s license required.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain and support the SCADA master system, historian, alarms, displays, databases, and communication interfaces.
• Build, test, and update SCADA screens, points, tags, alarms, control logic, and one-line diagrams.
• Monitor system performance and resolve SCADA communication, data quality, and control issues; support SCADA communications over fiber, radio, cellular, Ethernet, serial, and IP-based networks.
• Maintain accurate SCADA documentation, point lists, device records, communication diagrams, and change logs.
• Configure and integrate substations, reclosers, regulators, capacitor controls, motor-operated switches, meters, RTUs, relays, and other field devices into SCADA.
• Aid with point-to-point checkout, control testing, alarm verification, and operational readiness reviews.
• Troubleshoot RTUs, relays, modems, radios, fiber equipment, cellular routers, and other communications devices.
• Work with IT and communications staff to maintain secure and reliable OT network connectivity.
• Identify and resolve latency, dropped communication, failed polls, and intermittent connectivity issues.
• Aid with network addressing, device configuration, firewall coordination, VPN access, and communication path documentation.
• Follow cybersecurity best practices for operational technology systems, support incident response, vulnerability management, and audit documentation related to SCADA and OT systems.
• Aid with user access reviews, password management, patching, backups, disaster recovery, and system hardening.
• Coordinate with IT to ensure proper separation and protection of business and operational networks.
• Provide technical support to Dispatch, Operations, Engineering, and field crews.
• Aid with outage response, switching support, device status verification, and operational troubleshooting.
• Support distribution automation, FLISR, volt-var optimization, generator monitoring, load monitoring, and other advanced grid applications.
• Develop reports, dashboards, and data extracts from SCADA and historian systems to support planning and operations.
• Recommend improvements to SCADA standards, device settings, alarm philosophy, and communication architecture.
• Participate in substation, distribution automation, fiber, communications, and system improvement projects.
• Review SCADA-related designs, drawings, specifications, and vendor submittals and coordinate with contractors, consultants, vendors, and internal departments during design, construction, commissioning, and closeout.