Technical Lead, Grid Modernization

Job Description

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Technical Lead, Grid Modernization to support our Energy business across the United States. This position may be based remotely anywhere within the United States. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership for utility, power generation, microgrid, renewable energy, data center, and critical infrastructure projects within WSP's growing Grid Modernization practice.

The selected candidate will lead the development of control system architectures, functional requirements, integration strategies, testing programs, and technical reviews to support reliable and resilient power system operations. The role serves as a trusted technical advisor to clients and project teams while coordinating with multidisciplinary engineering and technology specialists.

This position works closely with project managers, clients, equipment suppliers, system integrators, and engineering teams involved in Energy Management Systems (EMS), Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS), Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS), SCADA systems, DCS platforms, PLCs, RTUs, microgrid controllers, and related operational technologies.
Your Impact
Technical Leadership & System Architecture

• Lead the development of control philosophies, functional requirements, system architectures, specifications, interface definitions, and acceptance criteria.
• Define operating modes, control hierarchies, command authority, setpoint ownership, and system boundaries in coordination with clients and stakeholders.
• Provide technical oversight and leadership throughout project execution, resolving complex design challenges and escalating critical risks as needed.
• Coordinate with electrical, communications, protection and controls, OT cybersecurity, and power systems teams to ensure alignment across project disciplines.
• Establish technical standards, methodologies, and best practices to support consistent project delivery.

System Coordination & Integration

• Lead coordination of interfaces between generation facilities, battery energy storage systems (BESS), UPS systems, microgrid controllers, plant control systems, and large electrical loads.
• Define communication requirements, signal lists, alarm strategies, event recording, time synchronization methods, redundancy schemes, and failure-response requirements.
• Support grid-connected and islanded operation strategies, restoration procedures, and system transition requirements.
• Collaborate with equipment vendors and system integrators to ensure successful system interoperability.

Project Delivery & Quality Assurance

• Ensure technical quality, consistency, and completeness of assigned deliverables.
• Review vendor and integrator design packages for compliance with project requirements and contractual commitments.
• Manage requirements traceability, technical issue tracking, and design change assessments.
• Develop and review Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), and integrated system testing plans.
• Support commissioning, startup activities, operational acceptance, and project closeout efforts.
• Apply project safety, quality, cybersecurity, and regulatory requirements throughout project execution.

Client Engagement & Practice Development

• Serve as a technical advisor and primary point of contact for assigned clients and projects.
• Lead technical workshops and facilitate discussions regarding design decisions, alternatives, and implementation strategies.
• Support proposal development, technical scopes of work, project estimates, resource planning, and delivery strategies.
• Evaluate technologies, vendors, and implementation alternatives while maintaining client-focused recommendations.
• Mentor engineers and technical professionals while supporting knowledge sharing across the practice.
• Contribute to the development of reusable standards, specifications, testing procedures, and lessons learned.
• Provide workload forecasts and progress updates, manage assigned effort against agreed budgets, and identify delivery constraints early.

Who You Are
Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in utility, power generation, industrial energy, microgrid, data center, or critical infrastructure control systems.
• Demonstrated technical leadership on complex multidisciplinary engineering projects.
• Strong expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  • EMS
  • ADMS
  • DERMS
  • SCADA
  • DCS
  • PLC/RTU systems
  • Plant or Microgrid Control Systems
• Experience developing system requirements, control architectures, specifications, interface definitions, and integration strategies.
• Experience reviewing vendor designs and managing integration activities.
• Experience with testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, operational acceptance, and reliability-focused design principles.
• Strong communication, leadership, mentoring, and client engagement skills.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining technical quality and project commitments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or other relevant technical credential.
• Experience supporting data center power systems and critical infrastructure facilities.
• Experience integrating generation assets, BESS, UPS systems, plant controllers, and rapidly changing electrical loads.
• Experience supporting grid-connected and islanded system operations, restoration strategies, and coordination with protection and power system studies.
• Familiarity with utility and industrial communication protocols, OT network architecture, cybersecurity frameworks, and NERC reliability standards.
• Consulting, Owner's Engineer, proposal development, technical procurement, or independent design review experience.

Compensation & Benefits

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on supporting employee well-being and long-term success. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement savings programs, paid time off, parental leave, and other programs designed to support employees throughout their careers.

Expected salary and level will be determined based on geographic location, education, experience, skills, internal equity, and business needs.

Expected Salary (all locations): $130,000 - $180,000

Expected Salary (Colorado only): $130,000 - $180,000