Lead SCADA & Automation Engineer 1 - Grid
Company : Sargent &lundy
Location : Minneapolis, MN
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 11 January 2026
Description
Automation Engineers design SCADA systems to address operational requirements & emerging trends including Smart Grid, Substation & Distribution Automation applications, Battery Energy Storage, and Microgrid controllers. As an Automation Engineer in our Electric Grid Infrastructure Services business unit you will:
- Engage in fast-paced client projects to plan, engineer, & design SCADA and communications systems.
- Develop communication block diagrams, panel layout/bill of material drawings, SCADA AC & DC schematics, fiber detail drawings, & network drawings.
- Provide reviews/design input of P&C drawings for SCADA system requirements.
- Develop points lists for data transferred between RTUs, IEDs, and master station connections.
- Develop configurations for Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) - (SEL RTAC, Novatech OrionLX, SMP Gateway, GE-D20, etc.)
- Develop configurations for programmable automation controllers (PACs) – (SEL-2440/2411, etc.)
- Program Human Machine Interface (HMI) applications (SEL Diagram Builder, Inkscape, Wonderware, etc.)
- Coordinate with relay settings engineers to develop/review communication port settings for protection relays, meters, & other IEDs.
- Develop network device configurations for switches, routers, & firewalls. (Cisco, Siemens Ruggedcomm, SEL, etc.)
- Perform troubleshooting of SCADA system network & communication systems (DNP, Modbus, SEL Protocol, IEC 61850, TCP/IP, UDP) remotely and onsite (if required).
- Develop SCADA system and Network documentation for projects.
- Develop automation tools to improve project efficiency (python, etc.)
- Stage, configure & test integrated systems designs, for interoperability & performance consistent with predictive models in our Protection, Automation & Telecommunication Laboratory.
- Ensure strict adherence to NERC standards for Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP).
- Coordinate and provide guidance to other engineers, project managers, client personnel, and suppliers to ensure a complete and timely design.
- Develop your career via peer-learning through sharing of knowledge with other experienced engineers by way of Sargent & Lundy’s systems of process and associated “Communities of Practice.”
- Provide guidance as a mentor in the development of less experienced engineers.
- There is the potential for you to travel to client and vendor offices as needed.
This role offers a hybrid work arrangement. You'll spend three days a week in the office, giving you the flexibility to work remotely for two days. Dependent upon your location, this opportunity offers a generous relocation package.
Qualifications
We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.
Essential skills and experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications, or Computer Systems Engineering.
- 8 years of experience in design, configuration, implementation, and troubleshooting of substation SCADA and communication systems.
- Experience with SEL, Novatech, & GE RTUs and software.
- Basic understanding of LAN/WAN devices and topology.
- Knowledge of DNP, Modbus, SEL, IEC-61850 (MMS/Goose) protocols – serial & IP based.
- Proficiency with MS Office applications.
- Ability & willingness to travel up to 30%.
Valued but not required skills and experience:
- Professional Engineering (P.E.) License.
- Master of Science degree in Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications, or Computer Systems Engineering.
- Experience with communication troubleshooting software/hardware (ASE Test Set, Wireshark, etc.)
- Protective relay settings experience (SEL, GE, ABB etc.)
- Radio communications experience.
- Network design credentials, applied knowledge of IP / MPLS.
- Well versed in use of MS Project & Visio.
- Project Management Professional (PMP).
- Familiar with NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards & Cyber-Security.
- CISSP certification.
Award-Winning Benefits
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
Compensation Range
$116,620.00 - $179,890.00Transparency Statement
Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.Awards & Recognition
Equal Opportunity
Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.
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Frequently asked questions
In Minneapolis, this position focuses heavily on integrating smart grid innovations such as microgrid controllers and battery energy storage systems, ensuring the electric grid infrastructure adapts to modern demands while enhancing reliability and operational efficiency in a rapidly evolving energy environment.
Mastery of protocols like DNP3, Modbus, IEC 61850 MMS/GOOSE, alongside TCP/IP and UDP, is crucial for ensuring seamless communication between RTUs, IEDs, and master stations, significantly impacting substation automation and grid control effectiveness.
Professionals can evolve into senior engineering roles, project leadership, or systems architecture positions, leveraging experience with SCADA configurations, network security, and team mentorship to advance within electric utility companies or consultancy firms.
Local hiring managers favor credentials like Professional Engineer (PE) licenses, PMP certifications, and CISSP for cybersecurity expertise, reflecting the region's focus on compliance with NERC CIP standards and complex project management.
The hybrid work model offers three days onsite with two remote days, promoting flexibility while maintaining team engagement. Combined with comprehensive benefits and generous paid time off, it supports a balanced professional and personal lifestyle.
Minneapolis’s expanding energy infrastructure and grid modernization projects drive steady demand for skilled automation engineers, but competition remains moderate due to the specialized expertise required, making experience with SEL and GE RTUs highly valuable.
The company fosters growth through peer learning communities, mentorship programs, and hands-on projects, encouraging engineers to share knowledge, refine skills in automation tools like Python, and stay current with industry standards and emerging technologies.
Their culture emphasizes collaboration, continuous learning, and innovation, reflected in award-winning benefits and a supportive environment that values engineers’ contributions to critical infrastructure, enhancing job satisfaction and retention.
The salary spans approximately $116,620 to $179,890 annually, aligning with Minneapolis’s cost of living and reflecting the specialized skill set needed. This competitive compensation package also includes bonuses and comprehensive benefits.
Expertise in configuring and troubleshooting RTUs such as SEL RTAC, Novatech OrionLX, and programmable automation controllers, combined with proficiency in network device setups and adherence to NERC CIP standards, set this role apart within the local energy industry.