Lead SCADA & Controls Engineer – Renewable Energy & Microgrid Solutions

WSP in the U.S.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 102,000 - 182,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Retirement savings

Paid time off

Job summary

WSP USA is seeking a Lead SCADA & Controls Engineer to join our Energy team. You will lead design and implementation of SCADA/EMS for utility-scale renewables and distributed energy, coordinating with clients, OEMs, EPCs, and internal teams.

You will mentor engineers, develop narratives and specs, and ensure compliance with grid codes and cybersecurity standards. Travel to project sites is expected as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, controls engineering, computer engineering, power engineering, or related field.
• 4+ years of experience in SCADA, Controls Eng., EMS, Power Systems, Automation, or related energy industries.
• Experience with renewable energy projects: wind, solar, BESS, DER, microgrids.
• Knowledge of DNP3, Modbus, IEC 61850, IEC 60870-5-104, OPC UA or similar.
• Familiarity with network architectures for utility/industrial apps.
• Experience developing control narratives, design specs, sequences, system diagrams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of SCADA and control systems for utility-scale renewable energy and distributed energy projects.
• Develop control narratives, sequences of operation, EMS and system design documentation.
• Create SCADA/EMS architectures, network diagrams, and integration drawings.
• Document interface specifications between EMS, PPC, OEM equipment, and plant control platforms.
• Support testing, commissioning, and operational troubleshooting activities.
• Develop advanced control strategies for dispatch, load management, and grid support.
• Lead project execution from concept to commissioning with client objectives in mind.
• Interface with clients, utilities, OEMs, EPCs, and internal teams.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Client and multidisciplinary teamwork

Renewable energy project experience

Industrial communication protocols

Troubleshooting complex control issues

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls/Power Engineering

Tools

DNP3

Modbus

IEC 61850

IEC 60870-5-104

OPC UA

Power Plant Controllers (PPC)

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead SCADA & Controls Engineer to join our Energy team. This position may be based in any WSP office location within the United States.

Job Description

Be involved in projects with our Energy Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges. This position will support the delivery of utility-scale renewable energy, distributed energy, and advanced generation projects through leadership in SCADA, Controls, Energy Management Systems (EMS), systems integration, and commissioning activities.

WSP brings global expertise in power delivery, power generation, and program management, anchored by the acquisition of POWER Engineers, Inc. TRC Companies have now joined WSP, deepening our power practice and expanding our energy advisory and intelligent grid services. We're partnering with clients to shape how energy systems evolve around the world, and we need your help.

Provides high level technical assistance and guidance for multi-site/phase due diligence, investigation, remediation, impact assessment, permitting, design, development, and construction of utility, industrial, and commercial scale projects in the public and private sector. Tasks include the research, design, concept development, planning, and construction of transmission and distribution substations, power distribution, power regulation, renewable energy, as well as protection and control systems in a wide variety of contexts (utilities, transportation, building, and Federal, State, and local government projects). Substantiates reports and documentation to advise on material, installations, design, component, and construction specifications. Ensures that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, safety, and functionality.

Your Impact

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of SCADA and control systems for utility-scale renewable energy and distributed energy projects, including Wind, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), Solar + Storage Hybrid facilities, Microgrids, and Hyperscale Data Center Generation projects.
• Develop control narratives, sequences of operation, EMS functional specifications, and system design documentation.
• Create SCADA architectures, EMS architectures, communication network diagrams, and system integration drawings.
• Develop interface specifications between Energy Management Systems (EMS), Power Plant Controllers (PPC), OEM equipment, utility systems, and plant-level control platforms.
• Support technical reviews, integration testing, validation, commissioning, and operational troubleshooting activities.
• Develop and document advanced control strategies for renewable and distributed energy assets, including dispatch optimization, load management, grid support functions, and operational resiliency.
• Lead project execution from concept development through commissioning while ensuring successful delivery of technical, schedule, quality, and client objectives.
• Serve as the primary technical interface with clients, utilities, OEMs, EPC contractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Lead coordination meetings, design reviews, issue resolution sessions, and technical workshops.
• Manage project deliverables, technical risks, and cross-functional coordination to ensure successful project completion.
• Support the development of EMS architectures and operational control strategies for hyperscale data center power generation facilities.
• Ensure compliance with utility interconnection requirements, grid codes, cybersecurity considerations, and applicable industry standards.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the continuous improvement of engineering standards, control system practices, and operational procedures.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct and adhere to WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Controls Engineering, Computer Engineering, Power Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 4+ years of experience in SCADA, Controls Engineering, EMS, Power Systems Engineering, Automation, or related energy industries.
• Experience supporting renewable energy projects including Wind, Solar PV, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), Hybrid Plants, Microgrids, or Distributed Energy Resources (DER).
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols such as DNP3, Modbus, IEC 61850, IEC 60870-5-104, OPC UA, or similar.
• Familiarity with network architectures and communication system design for utility and industrial applications.
• Experience developing control narratives, functional design specifications, sequence of operations, system architecture diagrams, and integration drawings.
• Strong understanding of SCADA systems, EMS platforms, controls integration, and power system operations.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex control, communications, and integration issues.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with demonstrated experience working directly with clients and multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to travel periodically to project sites, testing facilities, and client locations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain licensure.
• Experience with Power Plant Controllers (PPC), Energy Management Systems (EMS), Microgrid Controllers, and utility-scale renewable energy control platforms.
• Knowledge of utility interconnection requirements, NERC standards, IEEE standards, and grid code compliance.
• Experience supporting commissioning, startup, FAT, SAT, performance testing, and operational readiness activities.
• Exposure to hyperscale data center generation, advanced energy management systems, or intelligent grid technologies.
• Experience working directly with OEM equipment suppliers, EPC contractors, utilities, and Independent System Operators (ISOs).
• Familiarity with cybersecurity principles for industrial control systems and critical infrastructure applications.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering projects and mentoring junior engineers.

WSP Benefits

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee's career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation

Expected Salary (all locations): $102,200 – $182,200

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant's sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

Expected Salary (Colorado only): $58,200 – $96,030

About WSP

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

www.wsp.com

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base.

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.