Director of SCADA Engineering

Intersect is a company focused on innovative energy solutions and modern infrastructure, recently acquired by Google. They are seeking an experienced Director to lead their SCADA & Controls engineering team, responsible for strategic direction and technical leadership across utility-scale power projects.

Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership and strategic direction for SCADA & Controls across the portfolio; define standards and acceptance criteria for MPC/PPC, supervisory control and plant-level performance
• Own review and acceptance of modeling and simulation deliverables (EMT/dynamic/steady-state studies): ensure studies demonstrate compliance with stability, transient response, frequency response, load-envelope and other performance criteria
• Define, approve and oversee HIL/CHIL test programs and FAT/SAT plans; witness or arrange witnessing of real-time test campaigns and evaluate results and traceable evidence for acceptance
• Support drafting and negotiation of SCADA specifications for EPC contracts
• Support design and engineering document reviews for renewable energy facilities
• Support telecom interconnection for renewable facilities with the help of internal/external stakeholders
• Witness equipment acceptance testing to ensure delivered system meets the project requirements
• Work with OEs and EPC to ensure correct installation, commissioning and operation of the designed SCADA system
• Support implementation of SCADA cyber security best practices across all projects
• Ensure coordinated and consistent SCADA and site network scopes are deployed across the portfolio
• Maintain an understanding of regulatory requirements and upcoming changes that impact system design and execution
• Manage technical network configuration workflow and firewall Access Control List (ACL) connection
• Aid in control system troubleshooting, including hands-on evaluation of PLC/RTAC programs and behavior
• Manage troubleshooting of network communication with external parties that require data during the commissioning and operation of the power plant
• Support the process of developing an operational plan to energize, commission, and handover projects to Ops team
• Support the implementation of interfaces with BESS Optimization Platforms, owner monitoring platform, O&M, and scheduling coordinators/qualified scheduling entities of projects
• Manage onboarding of SCADA systems and their integration with external counterparties and ISOs
• Manage internal cross-functional requests such as RFP requests, onboarding of new resources, ISO registrations, report building
• Manage design, review and feedback for SCADA system from 3rd party vendors in the development phase
• Monitor and support onboarding, commissioning and testing during construction phase

Requirements:

• BS in Electrical Engineering or equivalent degree with minimum required experience
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience (managing technical teams, program delivery and vendor/third-party technical engagements)
• 10+ years of hands-on experience designing, programming, and commissioning SCADA systems for utility-scale PV/BESS/Wind power plants
• Project engineering, effective time management and ability to prioritize tasks via solid project management skills
• Demonstrated experience reviewing and accepting MPC/PPC architectures, control narratives, tuning plans, and commissioning evidence (FAT/SAT)
• Proven track record reviewing EMT/dynamic modeling and HIL/CHIL test evidence; experience witnessing real-time test programs and interpreting results to support acceptance decisions
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and negotiation skills; ability to distill technical evidence into clear, auditable decisions for senior leadership and customers
• Able to read and interpret engineering drawing packages including electrical schematics, fiber optic and network diagrams, and physical design drawings
• Capable of creating simple diagrams to communicate design intent
• Working knowledge and practical understanding of relevant codes and standards for SCADA and cybersecurity, and how they are applied during the configuration and commissioning of plant control systems
• Hands on experience with PID loop controls and tuning of PID controllers
• Interfacing and managing external technical resources for owners engineering support
• Hands-on experience with programming and configuration of SCADA HMI, and PLC/SEL-RTAC
• Basic knowledge of ethernet & fiber networks including routing, switching, VLANs, IPsec/VPN tunnels etc
• Experience working with common industrial protocols used in the power generation industry such as Modbus, DNP3, IEEE C37.118, OPC-UA and Ethernet IP
• Working knowledge of NERC compliance standards
• System design, optimization levers, cost drivers, contracting pitfalls, construction challenges, life cycle use challenges
• Experience working in the ERCOT markets, and knowledge of the rules and regulations of operating in those markets as it pertains to plant control systems and grid support requirements
• Knowledge and understanding of scripting languages to automate engineering calculations