Sargent & Lundy

Lead SCADA & Automation Engineer 1 - Grid

Sargent & Lundy$118K — $180K *
Energy & Utilities
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications, or Computer Systems Engineering.
  • 8 years of experience in design, configuration, implementation, and troubleshooting of substation SCADA and communication systems.
  • Experience with SEL, Novatech, & GE RTUs and software.
  • Basic understanding of LAN/WAN devices and topology.
  • Knowledge of DNP, Modbus, SEL, IEC-61850 (MMS/Goose) protocols – serial & IP based.
  • Proficiency with MS Office applications.
  • Ability & willingness to travel up to 30%.
  • Professional Engineering (P.E.) License (valued but not required).

Responsibilities

  • Engage in fast-paced client projects to plan, engineer, & design SCADA and communications systems.
  • Develop communication block diagrams and network drawings.
  • Provide reviews/design input of P&C drawings for SCADA system requirements.
  • Develop configurations for Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) and programmable automation controllers (PACs).
  • Coordinate with relay settings engineers to develop/review communication port settings for protection relays and meters.
  • Perform troubleshooting of SCADA system network and communication systems both remotely and onsite.
  • Develop SCADA system and Network documentation for projects.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work arrangement, spending three days in the office and two days remote.
  • Generous relocation package dependent on location.
Full Job Description
Description

Automation Engineers design SCADA systems to address operational requirements & emerging trends including Smart Grid, Substation & Distribution Automation applications, Battery Energy Storage, and Microgrid controllers. As an Automation Engineer in our Electric Grid Infrastructure Services business unit you will:

  • Engage in fast-paced client projects to plan, engineer, & design SCADA and communications systems.  
  • Develop communication block diagrams, panel layout/bill of material drawings, SCADA AC & DC schematics, fiber detail drawings, & network drawings.
  • Provide reviews/design input of P&C drawings for SCADA system requirements.
  • Develop points lists for data transferred between RTUs, IEDs, and master station connections.
  • Develop configurations for Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) - (SEL RTAC, Novatech OrionLX, SMP Gateway, GE-D20, etc.)
  • Develop configurations for programmable automation controllers (PACs) – (SEL-2440/2411, etc.)
  • Program Human Machine Interface (HMI) applications (SEL Diagram Builder, Inkscape, Wonderware, etc.)
  • Coordinate with relay settings engineers to develop/review communication port settings for protection relays, meters, & other IEDs.
  • Develop network device configurations for switches, routers, & firewalls. (Cisco, Siemens Ruggedcomm, SEL, etc.)
  • Perform troubleshooting of SCADA system network & communication systems (DNP, Modbus, SEL Protocol, IEC 61850, TCP/IP, UDP) remotely and onsite (if required).
  • Develop SCADA system and Network documentation for projects.
  • Develop automation tools to improve project efficiency (python, etc.)
  • Stage, configure & test integrated systems designs, for interoperability & performance consistent with predictive models in our Protection, Automation & Telecommunication Laboratory.
  • Ensure strict adherence to NERC standards for Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP).
  • Coordinate and provide guidance to other engineers, project managers, client personnel, and suppliers to ensure a complete and timely design. 
  • Develop your career via peer-learning through sharing of knowledge with other experienced engineers by way of Sargent & Lundy’s systems of process and associated “Communities of Practice.” 
  • Provide guidance as a mentor in the development of less experienced engineers.
  • There is the potential for you to travel to client and vendor offices as needed.

This role offers a hybrid work arrangement. You'll spend three days a week in the office, giving you the flexibility to work remotely for two days. Dependent upon your location, this opportunity offers a generous relocation package. 

Qualifications

We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.

 

Essential skills and experience:

 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications, or Computer Systems Engineering.
  • 8 years of experience in design, configuration, implementation, and troubleshooting of substation SCADA and communication systems.
  • Experience with SEL, Novatech, & GE RTUs and software.
  • Basic understanding of LAN/WAN devices and topology.
  • Knowledge of DNP, Modbus, SEL, IEC-61850 (MMS/Goose) protocols – serial & IP based.
  • Proficiency with MS Office applications. 
  • Ability & willingness to travel up to 30%.

Valued but not required skills and experience:

 

  • Professional Engineering (P.E.) License.
  • Master of Science degree in Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications, or Computer Systems Engineering.
  • Experience with communication troubleshooting software/hardware (ASE Test Set, Wireshark, etc.)
  • Protective relay settings experience (SEL, GE, ABB etc.)
  • Radio communications experience.
  • Network design credentials, applied knowledge of IP / MPLS.
  • Well versed in use of MS Project & Visio.
  • Project Management Professional (PMP).
  • Familiar with NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards & Cyber-Security.
  • CISSP certification.
AI & Automation at Sargent & Lundy

In this role, we expect people to be willing or able to lead others who use modern tools:

  • You are expected to lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
  • Leaders in these roles often direct automation and process-improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.
  • Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs, is valued but not required.
  • We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI-enabled engineering workflows.
Compensation Range$118,023 - $180,313 Transparency StatementSargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus. Awards & Recognition

About Sargent & Lundy

Sargent & Lundy is an engineering consulting firm that provides comprehensive engineering, energy business consulting, and project services for power generation and transmission projects. The company was founded in 1891 and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Sargent & Lundy has a team of over 2,000 professionals who have extensive experience in the power industry and can provide clients with innovative solutions to complex challenges. The company has worked on a wide range of projects including nuclear power plants, fossil fuel power plants, and renewable energy projects.
Learn more about Sargent & Lundy
Size
2,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1891

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