Electrical Controls Engineer - Power

Hanson Professional Services, Inc.

Indianapolis (IN)

On-site

USD 105,000 - 160,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with matching contribution

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

Comprehensive health & well-being plans

Performance bonuses

Work-life balance programs

Job summary

Hanson Professional Services, Inc. is hiring a Power Controls Engineer in Indianapolis, IN. The role involves designing and integrating control systems for electric power infrastructure projects. Responsibilities include developing SCADA architectures and supporting utility communications.

Qualified candidates should have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and 5-10 years of relevant experience. Benefits include competitive compensation, performance bonuses, and a comprehensive health plan.

Qualifications

Minimum 5-10 years of experience in power system controls or substation automation.
Working knowledge of protective relaying communications and utility operational requirements.
Professional Engineer (PE) license or progress toward licensure preferred.

Responsibilities

Design SCADA and power system communication architectures.
Support integration of field devices and testing of communication systems.
Prepare technical deliverables including wiring diagrams and SCADA architectures.

Skills

Power system controls

SCADA systems

Communication protocols (DNP3, IEC 61850)

Collaboration across multidisciplinary teams

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

Tools

SCADA architecture

Fiberoptic network design

Job description

About the Role

Hanson Professional Services Inc. is seeking a Power Controls Engineer to support the design, implementation, and integration of control systems and communication networks for electric power infrastructure projects.

This position is not a project management or project controls role. Instead, the Power Controls Engineer provides specialized technical expertise that complements substation, transmission, and distribution engineering teams.

The role focuses on communication and control interfaces among substations, transmission systems, utilities, and control centers, including SCADA systems, protective-relaying communications, and fiberoptic networks.

The Power Controls Engineer works closely with substation engineers, transmission engineers, civil engineers, structural engineers, and utility clients to ensure reliable, secure, and coordinated operation of power system control and monitoring infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

Design and support SCADA, substation automation, and power system communication architectures.
Develop control and monitoring schemes that support coordination between substations, transmission systems, and operations centers.
Support integration of field devices, including IEDs, RTUs and PLCs, protective relays.
Assist with commissioning, testing, and troubleshooting control and communication systems.

SCADA & Network Integration

Support SCADA point lists, I/O mapping, control logic, and alarm philosophies.
Coordinate communication protocols such as DNP3, IEC 61850, Modbus.
Participate in network design involving fiberoptic communication systems, Ethernet and IP-based networks, redundant communication paths and cybersecurity considerations.
Coordinate with utilities and IT/OT stakeholders on control system interfaces and data exchange.

Collaboration with Engineering Teams

Work in addition to and in coordination with substation engineers, not as a replacement, proposing technical depth in controls and communications.
Coordinate with substation, transmission, and distribution engineers, civil, structural, and electrical engineering teams, utility operations and control center personnel.
Review drawings and specifications to ensure proper integration of controls, communications, and protection systems.

Design Documentation & Technical Support

Prepare and review technical deliverables, including control schematics and wiring diagrams, communication onelines and network diagrams, SCADA architecture drawings, technical specifications and standards.
Support responses to technical questions during design, construction, and commissioning.
Assist with upgrades, expansions, and modernization of existing control and communication systems.

Power Industry Applications

Support a variety of power delivery projects, including transmission and substation control systems, utility SCADA and EMS/DMS interfaces, grid modernization and automation initiatives, integration of new substations or transmission assets into existing control networks.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related field.
Minimum 5-10 years of experience in power system controls, substation automation, or SCADA within the power or utility industry.
Experience working with substation or transmission projects and power system communication and control systems.
Working knowledge of SCADA systems, protective relaying communications, and utility operational requirements.
Ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Preferred Qualifications

Professional Engineer (PE) license or progress toward licensure.
Experience with Investor-Owned Utilities, public power agencies or electric cooperatives.
Familiarity with IEC 61850 architectures, fiberoptic network design and troubleshooting, substation automation systems.
Experience supporting commissioning, testing, or system cutovers.
Understanding of cybersecurity considerations for utility control systems.

Soft Skills & Competencies