Senior Substation Communication Project Engineer

HDR, Inc.; Saint Louis Park (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm based in Saint Louis Park, MN, seeks a Senior Substation Communication Engineer to handle technical aspects of communication projects. Candidates should have at least 10 years of experience, a relevant engineering degree, and a PE license. The role involves project execution and collaboration with teams to ensure successful communication systems. Competitive compensation package including benefits offered.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid time away

Retirement savings plan with employer match

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in engineering projects.
• Professional Engineers (PE or P.Eng) license required.
• Experience with electric utilities or consulting firms desired.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for communication project execution.
• Review existing infrastructure to provide project recommendations.
• Complete technical reviews of substation schematic diagrams.
• Develop configurations for various field devices.
• Test and troubleshoot device configurations.

Skills

Electrical engineering knowledge

Substation communication expertise

SCADA engineering experience

Proficient in Microsoft Office

Project execution within Power Market Sector

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

PLS CAD

AutoCAD

Plant 3D

Revit

OMS software

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our‑story

We believe that the way we work can add meaning and value to the world. Ideas inspire positive change. Coloring outside the lines can illuminate fresh perspectives. And that small details yield important realizations. Above all, we believe that collaboration is the best way forward.

Primary Responsibilities

The primary duties of the Senior Substation Communication Engineer include responsibility for knowledge and execution of the technical aspects and deliverables of substation communication projects. This person should be an experienced, competent engineer who has a good understanding of all commonly used substation equipment, and the SCADA functions associated with that equipment.

• Complete all technical requirements of substation communication projects of basic to moderate complexity.
• Support substation project scoping efforts by reviewing existing communication infrastructure, current utility standards and best practices to provide a project communication recommendation to the design team.
• Complete technical reviews of substation protection and control schematic diagrams from a communication and/or SCADA perspective.
• Develop RTU and EMS points lists and documentation of RTU data.
• Develop configurations for RTU's, HMI's, I/O devices, meters, PLC's, communication processors, and network devices using proprietary software packages.
• Execute testing and troubleshooting of device configurations in a lab environment.
• Coordination of protective relay communication port parameters and data maps with system protection engineers.
• Coordination of EMS database changes with utilities.
• Provide technical and troubleshooting support for field technicians. This will primarily be via telephone and email, although on‑site support will also be required on an as‑needed basis.
• Responsible for quality control reviews of communication projects from peers and/or other teams on an as‑needed basis.
• Works independently and may direct, mentor, train, and/or supervise efforts of less‑experienced EIT's and/or Designers.
• Work with Business Class Leaders to identify and develop specific technical expertise and will attend training and seminars focused on further development and understanding of complex concepts related to their discipline.
• May also assist with developing technical papers and/or presentations that showcase HDR's technical capabilities at industry conferences or other events.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering
• Experience in substation communication and SCADA engineering is required.
• Specific experience performing aspects associated with substation communication and SCADA engineering including the following:
• • Novatech suite of Orion RTU's and associated NCD3 software.
  • SEL suite of automation controllers including SEL-2440/2411 DPAC's, SEL-3530/3555 RTAC's and SEL-2020/2030/2032 communication processors and associated AcSELerator Quickset/Architect/RTAC and SEL-5020 software.
  • GE/Harris D20 RTU's and associated ConfigPro and SG Config software.
  • ACS/NTX automation controllers and RTU retrofit kits including NTX Explorer software.
  • Novatech/Bitronics meter configuration.
  • Schneider Electric/Modicon suite of Compact, Quantum, and M340 PLC platforms and associated Concept, Unity, and FasTrack software.
  • Total Control/GE QuickPanels and associated QuickDesigner software.
  • Citect SCADA HMI software.
  • DNP, Modbus, Modbus Plus, IEC-61850/GOOSE, and Conitel protocols (TCP/IP and serial)
  • Basic familiarity with usage of relay test set equipment (Omicron, Manta, Doble, etc.)
• Previous experience with an electric utility or architectural/engineering or engineering consulting firm desired.
• Local candidates are preferred.
• Some travel may be required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering
• A minimum of 10 years of experience
• Professional Engineers (PE or P.Eng) license
• Extensive experience in project execution within the Power Market Sector
• Proficient computer skills in Microsoft Office as well as standard Power Market Sector design software (examples include PLS CAD, AutoCAD, Plant 3D, AutoPipe, and Revit)
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day. Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long‑term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full‑time regular positions. Temporary and part‑time roles eligible for limited benefits.) Minnesota: $120,099 - $171,570

Primary Location: United States‑Minnesota‑Saint Louis Park

Other Locations: United States‑Wisconsin‑Madison

Industry: Power

Schedule: Full‑time

Employee Status: Regular

Business Class: Substation Engineering

Job Posting: Apr 24, 2025