SCADA and Automation Engineer - Technical Director

WSP; Boise (ID); On-site; USD 145,000 - 278,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP seeks a SCADA and Automation Engineer – Technical Director in Boise, ID, with extensive utility SCADA, protection, and automation experience. Lead design, testing, commissioning, and client relations across transmitted and distributed energy projects while guiding junior engineers.

The role requires independent work, strong communication, and travel to project sites. Offices in Clarkston WA, Portland OR, San Diego CA, Denver CO, Salt Lake City UT, and Ft Lauderdale FL may be considered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• 12+ years of post-education experience delivering SCADA design for utility-scale projects.
• PE license or equivalent.
• Ability to lead, mentor, and communicate complex technical topics to diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects in utility SCADA, automation, and control systems for substations and generation facilities.
• Mentor team members and strengthen client relationships.
• Support proposals and identify new business opportunities.

Skills

Electrical engineering principles

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering

PE license

Tools

Wonderware

AcSELerator RTAC

NovaTech NCD/Inkscape

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for a SCADA and Automation Engineer – Technical Director for our Boise ID office. Candidates for our offices in Clarkston WA, Portland OR, San Diego CA, Denver CO, Salt Lake City UT, and Ft Lauderdale FL will also be considered. Be involved in projects with our Electrical Studies, SCADA, and Protection (ESSP) and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges.

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.

The successful applicant will lead assigned projects while maintaining and strengthening client relationships. This role requires strong technical expertise, project leadership, and the ability to mentor team members. Projects will primarily support utility SCADA, automation, communications, and control systems for transmission and distribution substations, generation facilities, and utility control centers, including conventional and renewable energy systems.

This role requires experience supporting proposals, building client relationships, and identifying new business opportunities. The ideal candidate can work independently, communicate complex technical issues to diverse audiences, and effectively manage project priorities.

Your Impact

Candidates for this role will have familiarity, experience, or expertise with some of the items listed below. While expertise in every listed technology is not expected, successful candidates must demonstrate substantial experience in utility SCADA engineering, including communications, RTU integration, and utility automation systems.

A willingness to learn in areas where you do not have experience and to teach others in areas where you do have experience is essential to being successful on our team.

• Provides technical support and leadership in design, engineering, and commissioning of utility, industrial, and commercial scale SCADA projects in the public and private sector. Tasks include specification, design, concept development, and commissioning of transmission and distribution substations, power distribution, power regulation, renewable energy, as well as protection and control systems for a wide variety of clients. Provides guidance to project managers and engineers that address current and future project challenges. Provides a level of project quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, safety, and functionality.
• Leadership: Coordinate, review and approve electrical infrastructure design plans for mid-level and complex projects, ensuring data integrity and work is compliant with all applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations.
• Data Acquisition: Prepare points lists of all data to be transferred between control centers and controlled apparatus, assign and program data addressing and routing information, develop Human Machine Interface (HMI) screens, travel to project sites to test and commission data transfer schemes.
• Networking: Design and configure network and communication paths for Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), Data Concentrators, Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs), Human Machine Interface (HMIs), and other SCADA system equipment inside the substation or facility.
• Communications: Specify and design communication networks including data security and availability. Develop basic specifications for fiber optic, microwave, power line carrier, or radio communication paths; infrequent travel to project sites to troubleshoot and commission network and communication systems.
• Working knowledge or awareness of applicable industry SCADA practices outlined in IEEE, IEC, ANSI, CIGRE, or NERC standards and regulations for design work.
• Applicable network and communication protocols:
  • DNP, Modbus, and IEC 61850 specified protocols
  • Experience with legacy SCADA protocols a plus
• Applicable Logic and Control Platforms:
  • SEL RTAC, NovaTech Orion, Eaton SMP
• Applicable Software:
  • Wonderware, AcSELerator RTAC, NovaTech NCD/Inkscape
  • IEC 61850 System Configuration Tool experience a plus
  • Familiarity with SCADA/EMS/ADMS software a plus
• Logic and Control Systems: develop, document, and implement logic and control schemes for remote and local operation of power system equipment (Microgrid, Volt/Var Control, Load Shedding, Distribution Automation, and other custom logic); develop programs on various platforms for implementation of these schemes; travel to project sites to test and commission the control schemes.
• 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 (or equivalent experience).
• 12+ years of relevant post education experience as an electrical engineer providing design deliverables for SCADA projects in power generation, transmission, and distribution at a utility, industrial, or commercial scale.
• Engineer licencerequired(or equivalent).
• Advancedproficiencywith electrical engineering principles, practices,process, design/build, standard of care, and the application to permitting and project work-related issues.
• Works independently and provides guidance and leadership to mid-level tosenior level team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively, persuasively, and tactfully interact with employeesat all levels of the organization.
• Tactical lateral thinking and strong analytical skills with attention to detail and prioritization of responsibilities in a pressure work environment.
• Must be flexible to a variety of schedules to meet business needs and able to prioritize responsibilities and quickly adapt to change.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project‑specific requirements.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Engineering.
• Strong experience in managing the review and approval of documents and discipline‑specific deliverables, certifications, processes, and plans in a multi‑project environment is highly desirable.
• Professional Engineering (PE) multi‑state preferred
• Preference will be given to applicants with a proven history of completing similar projects in a consulting environment
• Preference is also given to applicants with experience inmentoring others and in providing technical and commercial leadership in customer‑focused engineering projects
• Preference is also given to applicants with experience in customer focused engineering projects in the technical areas above

Disclaimer

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

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): $145,400yr- $278,400yr

WSP USA isprovidingthe 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 toultimately paymore or less than the posted range and offeradditionalbenefits 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): $163,800yr- $278,400yr

WSP USA isprovidingthe compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might payand/or offer for this position within the state of Colorado, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right toultimately paymore or less than the posted range and offeradditionalbenefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

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