Lead SCADA Automation Engineer for Critical Infrastructure

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL); Pullman (WA); On-site; USD 161,000 - 214,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership (ESOP)

401(k) plan

Health insurance

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Engineering development program

Wellness benefits

Job summary

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) in Pullman, WA seeks a Senior Automation Engineer focused on SCADA to lead design, integration, and implementation of advanced SCADA solutions. You will advise customers and teams, applying automation, communications, and control systems expertise to deliver high-quality results for critical operations.

Key duties include developing SCADA configurations, HMIs, networks, and interfaces, plus FAT/SAT support and cybersecurity best practices.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Automation Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, or related discipline; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Typically 10+ years of relevant experience with SCADA, industrial control systems, automation systems, or utility operational technology environments.
• Working knowledge of SCADA architecture, HMI development, historian systems, and alarm management.
• Experience configuring and troubleshooting RTUs, PLCs, IEDs, and industrial communications systems.
• Working knowledge of industrial communication protocols including DNP3, Modbus, IEC 61850, IEC 60870, OPC UA, and ICCP/TASE.2.
• Experience with Ethernet networks, TCP/IP communications, switches, routers, firewalls, and VPN technologies.
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills.
• Strong technical presentation, documentation, and communication skills.
• Willingness to travel as required.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, configure, and support SCADA systems for electric utility, industrial, and critical infrastructure applications.
• Design and develop Human Machine Interface (HMI) applications to provide secure and effective operator interaction with monitored systems.
• Design SCADA systems that include databases, point mappings, alarm configurations, historian systems, and communication interfaces.
• Configure and integrate Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs), and other field devices into SCADA environments.
• Develop, test, and maintain communication interfaces utilizing DNP3, Modbus, IEC 61850, IEC 60870-5-101/104, ICCP/TASE.2, OPC UA, and related industry protocols.
• Participate in system integration, validation, troubleshooting and support factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), and commissioning activities.
• Design and support implementation of SCADA network architectures including Ethernet, serial, fiber optic, radio, and wide area communication systems.
• Design and support Distribution Management Systems (DMS) and microgrid applications.
• Develop systems for designing operational dashboards, alarm management strategies, historian reports, and real-time system monitoring tools.
• Analyze system performance, diagnose communication and operational issues, and implement corrective actions.
• Participate in the development and review of technical specifications, functional requirements, system architecture documents, and engineering drawings.
• Provide technical training, support, and consultation to customers and internal teams.
• Complete assigned tasks according to schedule and budget, while maintaining a high level of quality and customer satisfaction.
• Promote cybersecurity best practices and support compliance requirements for operational technology environments.
• Embrace the mindset: Understand. Create. Simplify.

Skills

SCADA architecture

HMI development

RTUs/PLCs/IEDs

Industrial protocols

Networking (TCP/IP)

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Travel willingness

Education

B.S. in Electrical/Computer/Automation/Control Systems

Tools

AVEVA/Wonderware

OSI Monarch

Ignition

GE iFIX

GE CIMPLICITY

Siemens WinCC

VTScada

FactoryTalk

Spectrum Power

Job description

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) in Pullman, WA seeks a Senior Automation Engineer focused on SCADA to lead design, integration, and implementation of advanced SCADA solutions. You will advise customers and teams, applying automation, communications, and control systems expertise to deliver high-quality results for critical operations.

Key duties include developing SCADA configurations, HMIs, networks, and interfaces, plus FAT/SAT support and cybersecurity best practices.