Senior Electrical Systems Architect - Smart Grids

Placements24; Willows (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Competitive salary

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 in the United States seeks a Senior Electrical Systems Architect to lead the design and oversight of advanced smart grid technologies. This fully remote role guides architectural decisions across distributed teams, focusing on scalable, secure grid solutions (SCADA, AMI, DER, microgrids).

You will drive technology selection, collaborate with software and data teams, and ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering with focus on Power/Smart Grids.
• 10+ years in electrical engineering with 6+ years in power systems and smart grids.
• Experience in grid modernization including SCADA, AMI, DER, and microgrids.
• Proven architecture design and technology selection for complex electrical systems.
• Strong leadership, communication, and ability to guide remote teams.
• Pr. Eng./ECSA is highly advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Architect and design smart grid systems including automation, DR, and renewable integration.
• Develop high-level designs, specs, and interfaces for grid components and platforms.
• Evaluate technologies for grid modernization (sensors, protocols, control software).
• Analyze grid performance, reliability, and security to identify improvements.
• Collaborate with software, data science, and power engineers to ensure IT/OT integration.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to project teams.
• Develop proposals, reports, and white papers for stakeholders.
• Ensure designs comply with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Power systems

Smart grids

System architecture

Technical leadership

Remote team management

Cybersecurity basics

Education

Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering (Power Systems/Smart Grids)

Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng.) registration with ECSA (advantage)

Tools

DNP3

IEC 61850

SCADA

AMI

Job description

About the Role

Our client is at the forefront of modernizing energy infrastructure and seeks a visionary Senior Electrical Systems Architect to design and oversee the development of sophisticated smart grid technologies. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to leverage your expertise from anywhere, contributing to the transformation of the energy landscape. Based remotely but focusing on projects relevant to areas like Welkom, Free State, you will be responsible for architecting scalable, resilient, and intelligent electrical grid systems. This role demands a profound understanding of power systems, communication networks, control algorithms, and data analytics within the context of smart grids. You will lead technical strategy, collaborate with diverse engineering teams, and drive the innovation required to build the grid of the future.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect and design comprehensive electrical smart grid systems, including distribution automation, demand response, and renewable energy integration.
• Develop high-level system designs, technical specifications, and interface requirements for smart grid components and platforms.
• Evaluate and select appropriate technologies for grid modernization, including sensors, communication protocols (e.g., DNP3, IEC 61850), and control software.
• Conduct in-depth analysis of grid performance, reliability, and security to identify areas for improvement and innovation.
• Collaborate with software engineers, data scientists, and power systems engineers to ensure seamless integration of electrical and IT systems.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to project teams, ensuring adherence to architectural principles and design standards.
• Assess emerging technologies and industry trends to recommend strategic enhancements to the smart grid roadmap.
• Develop and present technical proposals, reports, and white papers to stakeholders and clients.
• Ensure designs comply with relevant industry standards and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in Power Systems or Smart Grids.
• Over 10 years of experience in electrical engineering, with at least 6 years focused on power systems engineering and smart grid technologies.
• Deep understanding of grid modernization concepts, including SCADA, AMI, DER integration, and microgrids.
• Expertise in communication protocols relevant to smart grids and industrial control systems.
• Proven experience in system architecture design and technology selection for complex electrical systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and translate complex requirements into robust solutions.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with a proven ability to manage remote teams and influence technical direction.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity principles as applied to critical infrastructure is a plus.
• Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng.) registration with ECSA is highly advantageous.

Benefits

• Fully remote work position, offering maximum flexibility and autonomy.
• Highly competitive salary and executive-level benefits package.
• Opportunity to make a significant impact on the future of energy infrastructure.
• Access to advanced simulation tools and research resources.
• Collaborate with a world-class team of experts in the energy sector.
• Support for continuous learning and professional growth, including conference attendance.
• Flexible working hours to accommodate global collaboration.