SCADA Engineering Manager

As a key member of the Scout Clean Energy team, you will play a critical role in the design, implementation, and maintenance of SCADA and IT infrastructure for renewable energy projects. Your expertise will be essential in ensuring the smooth operation of our power plants and meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

Development Phase

• Lead the development of technical SCADA requirements, gathering input from multiple stakeholders and defining the services and functionalities required by the plant.
• Facilitate the implementation of interconnection agreement design requirements, including system control schemes, remote network access, and telemetry exchange.
• Support Scout's cybersecurity strategy, ensuring design implementation across projects.
• Lead and develop engineering studies, plans, specifications, calculations, evaluations, design documents, and performance assessments associated with the planning, design, procurement, construction, installation, configuration, testing, operation, and maintenance of SCADA, PPC, and IT equipment.
• Develop communications block diagrams, network drawings, fiber optic single line drawings, and overall communication and control narratives.
• Reconcile design constraints and generate specifications/scope of work packages for vendors and system integrators.

EPC Phase

• Provide SCADA, PPC, and IT systems expertise during the final engineering, procurement, and construction phase of each project.
• Generate contract exhibits that clearly define the scope of work and responsibility matrix for all contractors, integrators, vendors, and stakeholders in alignment with Scout standards and project requirements.
• Own the development of standard exhibits and documentation for the organization.
• Review and provide constructive input for contracts with commercial partners and equipment manufacturers. Advise and provide technical input for contract discussions.
• Review contractor and vendor design documents and ensure the design will meet the operational needs of the SCADA, PPC, and IT systems for the project, addressing any shortcomings prior to operations phase.
• Provide guidance for SCADA, PPC, and IT systems integrators by responding to RFIs and collaborating on control algorithm development.
• Work closely with the EPC project team, including the Construction Project Manager and Construction Engineering Manager, to guarantee a quality system is installed, tested, requirements are met, and project timelines are achieved.

Commissioning Phase

• Travel to project sites as required (Estimated 25%).
• Supervise SCADA commissioning following industry standards.
• Provide hands-on operations support to troubleshoot power plant control and communication problems during commissioning.
• Support SCADA integration between the SCADA contractors and Scout's commercial parties (Offtaker, QSE, Asset Management System, etc.).
• Coordinate with the Asset Management & Operations team at project commissioning and ensure the fulfillment of SCADA-related close-out requirements, especially regarding final record drawings, completed checklists, and lessons-learned.

Operations Phase

• Conduct training on new plant controls system specifics, HMI interfaces, system architecture, and expected trouble points as part of turn over to the Asset Management & Operations team.
• Provide direct support for troubleshooting efforts related to SCADA implementations and associated IT or plant equipment. Resolve issues or mitigate risks with the electrical or control system designs, installations, and interfaces that arise at the project sites during operations.
• Support Substation P&C relay troubleshooting.
• Support NERC and/or ISO compliance testing in accordance with regulatory body standards on operational sites on an as needed basis.
• Manage SCADA and Relay updates and coordination for operational projects, such as building telemetry to new offtakers, critical firmware upgrades, or new NERC/ISO/TOP requirements.

Other Support as Required

• Provide consultation on Scout's IT infrastructure projects and more complex operational retrofits.
• Pursue continuous improvement by keeping abreast of industry standards and implementing innovative new designs to enhance plant reliability and performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer science, control systems engineering, or related field from an accredited technical university.
• 2-4 years commissioning experience on Utility Scale Wind, Solar PV, or Battery Energy Storage projects. Experience with integration of Battery Energy Storage Systems into Wind or Solar PV plant is a must.
• 3-5 years of applied knowledge in electrical utility SCADA systems, substation instrumentation and controls, industrial automation, embedded system development, or equivalent experience in a critical operations industry reliant on integrated operational technologies and equipment.

Desired Skills

• In-depth knowledge of control system requirements for Wind, Solar PV, and BESS electrical generation and working knowledge of the fundamentals of power systems, such as calculating or interpreting voltage drop profiles, power factor corrections, harmonic distortion, phase imbalance, and transient responses.
• Working knowledge and prior programming experience of SEL RTAC or comparable plant control devices.
• In-depth knowledge of power plant control systems architecture and software, and a working knowledge of control theory and its application in power plant controllers.
• Working knowledge of IT/OT network design fundamentals and telecommunications tools, including fiber/ethernet, switch, and VLAN configuration.
• Working knowledge of wireless communications technologies, such as microwave or satellite.
• Understanding of network security protocols and cyber security standards.
• Understanding of programming substation relays (GE, SEL, etc.).
• Understanding of OPC, Modbus, SEL, EtherNet/IP, and DNP3 protocols.
• Ability to interpret NERC, ERCOT, WECC, CAISO, SPP, PJM, and MISO regulations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Has proven experience developing technical documentation, including exhibits, scope of works, functional descriptions, and plant control narratives.
• Skilled in MS Excel, MS Word, and Outlook.
• Clear passion and motivation to work in the renewables industry.
• Ability to effectively communicate with and build cross-functional relationships and collaborate with stakeholders across a diverse range of experience and skillsets; such as development, construction, and operations, to ensure that project delivery, schedule, and quality are met.
• Coordinates with technical members of adjacent teams to align on work deliverables that impact one another; seeks to understand and resolve gaps and escalates issues through appropriate channels.
• Adept at collaboration in a team environment and using team collaboration tools and software, such as Procore and MS Teams applications.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing contractors delivering technical work.
• Ability to work autonomously without oversight. Takes ownership of work and is proactive in resolving issues; seeks guidance when direction is needed. Reports upwards on project status and progress.
• Ability to perform effectively in high-pressure situations while maintaining focus and calmness.
• Ability to provide timely assessments and act decisively with limited information and/or assumptions.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• High attention to detail. Structured and thorough in analyzing and documenting requirements and creating technical documentation for different stakeholders.

Timeline and Location

We will review resumes for this role on an ongoing basis with a start date as soon as possible.

Our ideal candidate will sit in our Boulder, CO office on a hybrid schedule. Candidates open to relocating to sit in our Boulder, CO office are encouraged to apply.

Scout's Values

• Mission-Orientation. High achievers who want to make a difference in this world and contribute to Scout's stated mission.
• Teamwork. Respectful and appreciative colleagues with strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to fostering positive relationships across organizational boundaries to deliver on shared team goals.
• Safety. Uncompromising advocates for the health and safety of fellow employees, contractors, customers, and community members.
• Integrity. Ethical professionals who do the right thing even when it is difficult.
• Initiative. Resourceful self-motivators who thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment because of their exceptional leadership, work ethic, and organizational skills.
• Intelligence. Problem-solving learners who can make informed decisions quickly and create innovative and pragmatic solutions to challenging problems.

Invitation to Women and U.S. Underrepresented Groups

We encourage applications from all demographics and especially those that are traditionally underrepresented in the energy industry. Consistent with our core values, Scout celebrates the diversity of thought and experience that comes from a range of backgrounds including, but not limited to, gender, race, and ethnicity.

Invitation to Veterans

Scout welcomes veterans of the United States Armed Forces to apply for this position. Scout includes veterans of all branches and a diverse set of occupational specialties. We value the independent thinking, problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork that our veterans have developed through their service. We welcome applications from any service and any military occupational specialty.

Benefits

Target base salary: $130,000 - $150,000 (Negotiable for the right candidate.)

Attractive bonus potential.

Scout offers a full range of benefits, including medical/dental/vision insurance with attractive premiums, 401(k) match, STD, LTD, an Employee Assistance Program, and a range of optional supplemental insurance coverage.