Senior Engineer, Distribution Control and Integration

National Grid; Northborough (MA); On-site; USD 134,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

National Grid is seeking a Senior Engineer in DC&I Engineering in Northboro, MA to lead OT network engineering for distribution field devices outside substations. You will design secure, scalable communications for DERMS, FLISR, VVO, and CVR within grid modernization programs.

You will mentor engineers, help define technical standards, and collaborate with SCADA/ADMS, IT, telecom, and cybersecurity teams to ensure reliable, safe grid operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering or related technical field.
• 6+ years of experience in distribution automation or OT networking in utility environments.
• Strong hands-on IP-based networking in OT settings (routing, switching, VLANs, subnetting).
• Knowledge of SCADA/ADMS/DERMS and related grid technologies preferred.
• Understanding cybersecurity concepts for OT and industrial control systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead OT network engineering and communications architecture for distribution field devices outside substations.
• Design, implement, and support IP-based networks for reliable, secure communications between field devices, control centers, and enterprise systems.
• Collaborate with IT, telecom, and cybersecurity teams to deploy secure OT networks with firewalls and access control.
• Mentor engineers and support standard development and best practices for distribution OT networking.
• Guide ESMP-aligned grid modernization initiatives and participate in equipment specification and validation.

Skills

IP networking

OT networking

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering

Tools

SCADA

ADMS

DERMS

FLISR

VVO

Job description

About us

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live. The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating and our expertise and track record puts us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry. To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business.

National Grid is hiring a Senior Engineer for our DC&I Engineering department in Northboro, MA

Job Purpose

As a Senior Engineer in DC&I, you will serve as a technical leader supporting National Grid's ESMPaligned Grid Modernization initiatives, with a primary focus on operational technology (OT) network engineering and communications for distribution field devices outside of the substation. This role enables the reliable, safe, and secure operation of distribution automation systems such as DERMS, FLISR, Volt/VAR Optimization (VVO), and other intelligent grid applications deployed across the distribution network.

In this position, you will own and influence OT communications architecture and network design for gridedge devices including reclosers, voltage regulators, switches, RTUs, and other distribution automation assets. As a senior engineer, you will act as a technical subjectmatter expert and escalation point, working handson with IPbased networking, field and widearea communications, and cybersecurity controls. You will collaborate closely with DC&I peers, SCADA/ADMS, IT, telecom, and cybersecurity teams to deliver scalable, resilient, and secure communications solutions, while helping guide technical standards and mentor engineers supporting distribution automation.

Key Accountabilities

• Serve as a technical lead for OT network engineering and communications architecture supporting distribution field devices deployed outside of substations, including reclosers, voltage regulators, switches, RTUs, and other gridedge automation assets.
• Design, implement, and support IPbased network architectures enabling reliable and secure communications between distribution field devices, control centers, and enterprise systems.
• Own and influence field area and widearea communications solutions leveraging technologies such as private LTE, carrier Ethernet, MPLS, and SDWAN to support realtime distribution automation and control.
• Support the deployment, integration, and operation of distribution automation and grid modernization applications including DERMS, FLISR, Volt/VAR Optimization (VVO), and Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR).
• Apply deep working knowledge of TCP/IP networking (routing, switching, VLANs, subnetting, segmentation) to ensure resilient, scalable, and observable OT communications.
• Collaborate with IT, telecom, and cybersecurity teams to design and implement secure OT network solutions, including firewalls, access control, segmentation, monitoring, and secure remote access, aligned with industry and regulatory requirements.
• Act as a technical subjectmatter expert and escalation point for complex communications and networking issues impacting SCADA, ADMS, DERMS, and other distribution automation systems across lab, pilot, and production environments.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, participate in equipment specification and selection, and lead validation, testing, and integration of new distribution communications and automation solutions.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of technical standards, design patterns, and best practices for distribution OT networking and communications.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to engineers and project teams, supporting consistent and highquality implementation of distribution automation solutions.
• Support project planning and execution to deliver grid modernization capabilities aligned with ESMP vision, operational needs, and safety priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution is required.
• 6+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent demonstrated expertise, supporting distribution automation, OT networking, or control system communications in utility or missioncritical environments preferred.
• Strong handson experience with IPbased networking in OT environments, including routing, switching, VLANs, subnetting, segmentation, and network troubleshooting preferred.
• Working knowledge of distribution automation and control systems such as SCADA, ADMS, DERMS, FLISR, VVO, or similar intelligent grid applications preferred.
• Understanding of cybersecurity principles for OT and industrial control systems, including defenseindepth, network segmentation, access control, monitoring, and secure remote access preferred.
• Ability to translate operational and engineering requirements into robust network and communications designs, and to interpret network diagrams and interface specifications preferred.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain technical concepts to engineering peers, operations personnel, and leadership.
• Willingness to work flexible hours and travel as needed.
• A valid driver's license is required.

About The Department

The DC&I Engineering team at National Grid drives the development and implementation of advanced grid modernization technologies. Our core mission is to equip the Distribution and Transmission Control Centers with innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, reliability, and above all-safety of grid operations. As Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) continue to expand across the power system, we apply our deep expertise to advance grid-edge technologies that enable seamless integration of these assets into our Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS).

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Salary

$134,000 - $157,000 a year

National Grid will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. You must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

National Grid utilizes an assessment that evaluates the job qualifications/characteristics using AI or statistically based scoring. For more information, please view NYC Local Law 144.

This position has a career path which provides for advancement opportunities within and across bands as you develop and evolve in the position; gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills. Candidates will be assessed and provided offers against the minimum qualifications of this role and their individual experience.

National Grid is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of protected class. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. National Grid maintains affirmative action programs for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Our employment practices are designed to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and with respect throughout the hiring process and during employment. National Grid complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and we encourage a culture of respect for all.