Lead SCADA Engineer

Intelligent NRG Solutions LLC; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Remote collaboration with teams

Job summary

INS Engineering is seeking a Lead SCADA Engineer to build in-house SCADA capability for substations and plants. You will configure, program, test and commission SCADA interfaces, owning utility coordination and QA across multiple projects.

This remote role offers cross-project mentorship and opportunity to shape the SCADA practice within INS. You will collaborate with utility engineers, project managers and global teams, with a path toward establishing in-house standards and repeatable methods

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent practical experience.
• Hands-on SCADA experience in substations and plants, owning design and commissioning.
• Experience with RTAC/RTU and HMI platforms.
• Hands-on use of DNP3, IEC 61850/SCL and Modbus in utility settings.
• Ability to own testing, commissioning, QA/QC and client discussions.
• Nice to have PE or P.Eng and 8+ years SCADA experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and program SCADA systems for substations and plants.
• Configure interfaces including RTAC/RTU, HMI, meters and networking.
• Develop point lists, telemetry mappings and interface requirements.
• Implement DNP3, IEC 61850/SCL, Modbus and other protocols.
• Lead FAT/SAT and end-to-end testing and commissioning.
• Coordinate with utilities and client engineers; mentor junior staff.

Skills

SCADA design & programming

Substation and plant SCADA

RTAC/RTU programming

DNP3/IEC 61850/Modbus protocols

HMI configuration

Utility coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

SEL RTAC/RTU

AcSELerator QuickSet

IEC 61850/SCL tools

Modbus test tools

GE CIMPLICITY / IEC 61131

Job description

About INS Engineering

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, INS Engineering is a privately held power systems engineering firm with offices in Houston and Albany, New York. We help utilities, developers, grid operators and data center teams connect new generation, energy storage and large loads to the grid, from studies through commissioning, across all major U.S. power markets. Our work has supported projects like a 400 MW / 1 GWh battery storage facility in Texas and a 100 MW solar project in Ohio. We’re a growing, remote team that regularly gets together in person, guided by three values: Reliability, Innovation and Commitment. Our senior engineers mentor the next generation, and we stay with clients from kickoff to commissioning.

The Role

INS is bringing SCADA capability in-house, and this role will help build it. We're looking for an engineer with recent hands-on experience in both substation and plant SCADA, especially substation RTAC/RTU, communications and utility interfaces. As our Lead SCADA Engineer, you'll personally configure, program, integrate, test, troubleshoot and commission substation SCADA and plant SCADA interfaces, while owning utility coordination, multidisciplinary delivery and the growth of a new INS capability.

What You'll Do

• Design and program SCADA
• Design and configure substation and plant SCADA interfaces, including SEL RTAC/RTU, HMI, meters, networking and custom control logic.
• Develop point lists, IP and network architecture, telemetry mappings, and utility control center and RTU interfaces.
• Implement and troubleshoot DNP3, IEC 61850/SCL, Modbus and other utility communications protocols.
• Test and commission: Lead FAT/SAT, end-to-end communications, SCADA logic, HMI and interface testing, and project commissioning.
• Integrate substation SCADA equipment with utility RTUs and renewable and collector-station requirements.
• Troubleshoot protocol, I/O, network, timing and control issues and document corrective actions.
• Build a new capability: Own SCADA deliverables, standards and QA/QC across multiple projects.
• Coordinate with utility and client engineers, project managers and global delivery teams.
• Mentor SCADA engineers and advise INS leadership on technical scope, proposals and repeatable methods.

What You Bring

• Required: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, or equivalent relevant practical experience.
• Recent, direct hands-on experience in both substation and plant SCADA, including personally owning substation design, configuration, integration, troubleshooting and commissioning.
• Programming and configuration experience with RTAC/RTU and HMI platforms, particularly SEL or comparable substation devices.
• Hands-on use and troubleshooting of DNP3, IEC 61850/SCL, Modbus and utility communications.
• Experience developing point lists, custom logic, signal maps and IP/interface requirements, and coordinating with utilities.
• Ability to independently own testing, commissioning, QA/QC, problem resolution and client discussions.
• Nice to have: PE or P.Eng license and about 8+ years of relevant SCADA experience.
• AcSELerator QuickSet/SEL-5030, GE CIMPLICITY, IEC 61131 and protocol testing experience.
• Renewable, BESS or utility projects, power regulation and telemetry, and engineering consulting.

Tools you'll use

• SEL RTAC/RTU, AcSELerator QuickSet, DNP3, IEC 61850/SCL, Modbus, HMI and communications test tools, and OEM platforms.

What Success Looks Like

First 30 days: You've learned how INS delivers projects, met the substation, protection and project management teams, and reviewed active SCADA scopes, utility interface requirements and existing RTAC/RTU configurations.

60 days: You're personally configuring RTAC/RTU and HMI logic and building point lists, IP and communications architecture (DNP3, IEC 61850, Modbus) on a live project, working directly with utility engineers.

90 days: You've mapped existing SCADA deliverables, established hands‑on programming and test ownership, and written the FAT/SAT procedures for your first substation SCADA implementation.

6 months: You've led one or more substation SCADA implementations through integration, FAT/SAT and commissioning.

12 months: You own an in‑house substation SCADA practice and quality standards supporting multiple projects.

Where You'll Work

This is a remote role based in the United States. You'll collaborate with INS engineering and client teams across locations, with occasional travel for FAT/SAT, commissioning and client needs.

Life at INS

We hire good people, give them the tools and support they need, and trust them to do great work, with no micromanagement. Your ideas are heard and your contributions are recognized. We work remotely and make time to reconnect in person at team gatherings, where families are welcome too. You'll work alongside experienced Ph.D. and P.E. engineers who invest in mentorship, training and knowledge‑sharing, and as INS grows, there's real room to grow with the company.

Compensation

Annual bonus opportunities may be available, subject to plan terms. The final offer will depend on your experience, skills and location.

Benefits

• Medical: Nationwide Core Value plan, administered by Allied Benefit Systems and HSA‑eligible; INS pays 70% of your medical premium at every coverage level and you pay 30%.
• Care support: Pharmacy benefits, virtual urgent care and counseling, joint care, caregiver support and cancer coaching.
• Extra protection: Dental, vision, group life/AD&D, and short-and long-term disability through UnitedHealthcare.
• 401(k): Put in 5%, INS adds 4% (100% of the first 3% plus 50% of the next 2%). You’re automatically enrolled at 6% unless you choose otherwise; the safe-harbor match is 100% vested immediately, with pre-tax and Roth options.
• Time away: Paid time off, paid holidays and paid parental leave.
• Growth: Training and approved certification reimbursement may be available, depending on your role.
• Rewards & flexibility: Commission opportunity and remote work, by position and client needs.

Accommodations

INS Engineering is committed to an accessible, inclusive hiring process. If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point during the application or interview process, for example because of a disability, religious belief or pregnancy, please contact . We’ll work with you to find an arrangement that works.

Equal Opportunity

INS Engineering is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.