SCADA Project Technical Lead

Tetra Tech; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 125,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

401(k) Plan

ESPP

Paid Time Off

Performance Bonus

Career Growth

Job summary

Tetra Tech is seeking a SCADA Project Technical Lead to provide technical leadership across the full project lifecycle for complex SCADA systems in energy, infrastructure, and utility domains.

The role requires deep experience with SCADA platforms, integration with PLC/DCS, cybersecurity, and field startup support to ensure reliable, secure automation solutions. Travel up to 50% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 7–10 years in SCADA/industrial automation or systems integration.
• 3–5 years of technical leadership on large automation projects.
• Strong understanding of OT environments and automation architectures.
• Experience with industrial communication protocols and networking.
• Willingness to travel up to 50%.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership from concept through commissioning and closeout.
• Serve as primary technical contact for customers and internal teams.
• Lead design reviews and coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Mentor engineers and promote best practices and continuous improvement.
• Oversee SCADA development, configuration, and deployment.
• Lead FAT/SAT testing and troubleshoot issues during startup.
• Ensure cybersecurity, compliance, and documentation quality.

Skills

Technical Leadership

Systems Integration

OT Networks

Troubleshooting

Root Cause Analysis

Project Execution

Customer Relationship

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Computer, Automation, Industrial Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

Ignition

Wonderware/AVEVA

VTScada

GE iFIX

WinCC

FactoryTalk View SE

EcoStruxure

Job description

The SCADA Project Technical Lead is responsible for the technical leadership, design oversight, implementation, testing, integration, and commissioning of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems for complex industrial, utility, energy, and infrastructure projects. This role serves as the primary technical authority throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring SCADA solutions are designed, configured, integrated, tested, and deployed in accordance with customer requirements, industry standards, project schedules, and quality expectations.

The SCADA Project Technical Lead collaborates closely with project managers, controls engineers, software developers, electrical engineers, cybersecurity specialists, field service personnel, contractors, and customers to deliver reliable, secure, and scalable automation solutions. The role also serves as a field technical specialist supporting startup, commissioning, troubleshooting, and operational readiness activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for SCADA projects from concept through commissioning and project closeout.
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for customers, stakeholders, and internal project teams.
• Support project planning, scope development, resource allocation, scheduling, and risk management activities.
• Lead technical design reviews and ensure alignment with project objectives and customer requirements.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams throughout project execution.
• Mentor engineers and technical staff while promoting best practices and continuous improvement.
• Lead the design and architecture of SCADA systems, including servers, operator workstations, historian platforms, communications infrastructure, and system interfaces.
• Develop and review functional design specifications, control narratives, architecture diagrams, and network layouts.
• Define system requirements for redundancy, availability, cybersecurity, scalability, and performance.
• Ensure compliance with customer standards, industry regulations, and corporate engineering practices.
• Support development of software standards and SCADA design templates.

System Integration

• Lead integration efforts between SCADA systems and related technologies, including:
  • PLC and DCS platforms
  • HMI applications
  • Historian databases
  • Power management systems
  • Microgrid controllers
  • MES and ERP systems
  • Third-party equipment and vendor systems
• Validate communication protocols including OPC UA, Modbus TCP/IP, DNP3, IEC 61850, MQTT, and other industrial network standards.
• Coordinate interface testing and troubleshooting activities across integrated systems.
• Ensure accurate data exchange, reporting, alarm management, and control functionality.

Software Development & Configuration

• Oversee SCADA application development, configuration, and deployment.
• Review graphics, operator interfaces, alarm strategies, trends, reports, and historian configurations.
• Ensure software solutions are maintainable, secure, and compliant with project standards.
• Support software testing, validation, and version control processes.
• Approve technical changes and manage system configuration throughout the project lifecycle.

FAT, SAT & Testing

• Develop and review Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) and Site Acceptance Test (SAT) procedures.
• Lead FAT execution with customers, vendors, and project stakeholders.
• Verify SCADA functionality against project specifications and operational requirements.
• Manage issue tracking, corrective actions, and test documentation.
• Ensure successful customer acceptance prior to project turnover.

Commissioning & Startup

• Lead SCADA commissioning and startup activities at customer sites.
• Serve as a field specialist providing technical expertise during system implementation and operational startup.
• Support network verification, communications testing, point-to-point validation, alarm testing, and integrated system verification.
• Troubleshoot software, hardware, communications, and control system issues during startup.
• Support operational readiness reviews and customer training activities.
• Assist with performance tuning and system optimization following startup.

Cybersecurity & Compliance

• Ensure SCADA systems adhere to applicable cybersecurity requirements and industry standards.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to implement secure architectures, network segmentation, access controls, and patch management strategies.
• Support cybersecurity assessments, audits, and remediation efforts.
• Maintain compliance with applicable regulatory and customer security requirements.

Documentation & Quality

• Prepare and review:
  • Functional Design Specifications (FDS)
  • Software Design Specifications (SDS)
  • Network Architecture Drawings
  • FAT/SAT Protocols
  • Test Reports
  • Commissioning Documentation
  • Operations and Maintenance Manuals
• Ensure proper document control and configuration management practices.
• Support quality audits and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build strong working relationships with customers and stakeholders.
• Present technical solutions, project updates, and testing results.
• Provide technical guidance and recommendations throughout project execution.
• Participate in customer meetings, design reviews, and acceptance activities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Automation Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 7-10 years of experience in SCADA, industrial automation, controls engineering, or systems integration.
• Minimum 3-5 years of technical leadership experience on large automation or SCADA projects.
• Strong understanding of industrial control systems, automation architectures, and operational technology (OT) environments.
• Experience with SCADA platforms such as Ignition, Wonderware/AVEVA, VTScada, GE iFIX, WinCC, FactoryTalk View SE, EcoStruxure, or similar systems.
• Experience with industrial communication protocols and networking.
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills.
• Ability to travel up to 50% based on project requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE), Project Management Professional (PMP), ISA Certified Automation Professional (CAP), or related certification.
• Experience in utility, power generation, renewable energy, water/wastewater, oil and gas, manufacturing, or infrastructure industries.
• Knowledge of industrial cybersecurity frameworks such as IEC 62443 or NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
• Experience with virtualization technologies and cloud-connected industrial systems.
• Experience integrating SCADA systems with microgrids, distributed energy resources, power management systems, or energy storage systems.
• Familiarity with database management, SQL, historian platforms, and reporting tools.
• Technical Leadership
• Systems Integration
• Operational Technology (OT) Networks
• Commissioning & Startup Expertise
• Project Execution & Coordination
• Customer Relationship Management
• Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis
• Technical Documentation

Success Measures

• Successful delivery of SCADA projects on schedule and within budget.
• Achievement of customer acceptance milestones and project objectives.
• High system reliability, availability, and performance following deployment.
• Successful integration with automation, power, and business systems.
• Compliance with quality, cybersecurity, and regulatory requirements.
• Timely resolution of technical issues and project risks.
• High customer satisfaction and operational readiness outcomes

Salary Range

$125,000 - $175,000 (base salary)
Actual compensation will be based on experience, skills, geographic location, and internal equity. This role is also eligible for bonus and a comprehensive benefits package.

• 401(k) and Roth 401(k)
• Health Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid time off
• Performance Bonus
• Career Growth Opportunities and Training

WHY TETRA TECH

In addition to rewarding job opportunities and continuous growth, we offer an enjoyable working environment, where teamwork and respectful collaboration is highly valued. We offer the benefits of a midsized local office atmosphere backed by a large network of highly skilled professionals.

Tetra Tech is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, military or veteran status, gender, age, disabilities, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information and any other characteristics protected by the law. We invite resumes from all interested parties.