Staff Controls Engineer - OT SCADA Projects

The Sr. Controls Engineer – OT SCADA Projects leads the design, configuration, commissioning, and support of plant control systems for utility-scale solar, storage, and hybrid renewable energy projects. This engineer works with minimal oversight, applies expert knowledge of grid functionality and Utility/ISO standards, mentors junior engineers, and contributes to product standards. Approximately 80% of this role is project execution, while up to 20% is continuous improvement and product development.

Responsibilities

Project Execution & Technical Delivery (~80%)

•       Lead end-to-end controls design for utility-scale solar, BESS, and hybrid projects – from initiation through commissioning and closeout

•       Program and commission SEL controllers using AcSELerator; develop control logic in Codesys using IEC 61131-3 structured text

•       Identify project-specific deviations from standard product scope during contracting, forecast and scope project-specific development work

•       Implement and validate closed-loop Active Power and Reactive Power, AVR and PFR Algorithms

•       Maintain version control for all code artifacts according to established version control procedure

•       Troubleshoot complex SCADA and controls issues using Wireshark, breakpoints, cross-reference, and watch list tools

•       Produce project deliverables: System Architecture Diagrams, Control Narratives, Logic Diagrams, commissioning documents, and operator manuals

Product & Process Improvement (~20%)

•       Contribute to new feature development and bug fixes in collaboration with the Product Engineering team

•       Review documentation prepared by junior controls engineers (technical and non-technical)

•       Lead the Continuous Improvement and Lessons Learned program, feed field insights back into product standards and templates

•       Coach junior engineers through FAT preparation and customer-facing presentation

Stakeholder Communication & Collaboration

•       Serve as primary controls technical contact for EPCs, asset owners, and grid operators through project execution, FAT, and commissioning

•       Lead FATs as formal presentations; communicate to non-technical audiences with supporting materials prepared in advance

•       Flag technical risks and schedule pressures to management with context and proposed solutions

•       Maintain Jira tickets daily with thorough detail; enforce Jira best practices with junior engineers

Expectations & Success Indicators

•       Deliver high-quality work independently across multiple concurrent projects with ownership and urgency

•       Leverage standardized platforms and tools; avoid project-specific one-off engineering approaches

•       Ensure 100% adherence to Terabase quality processes; enforce standards with junior engineers

•       Mentor junior controls engineers through technical guidance, code review, and FAT coaching

•       Project deliverables completed on time, within scope, and meeting Utility/ISO regulatory standards

•       Jira, version control, and documentation consistently maintained without follow-up from management

•       Recognized internally and externally as the go-to technical authority on Terabase SCADA and OT controls

•       Travel up to 10% for on-site commissioning, FAT, and customer engagements

The Sr. Controls Engineer – OT SCADA Projects leads the design, configuration, commissioning, and support of plant control systems for utility-scale solar, storage, and hybrid renewable energy projects. This engineer works with minimal oversight, appli...

Requirements

Education & Experience

•       Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Technology, or related field

•       3-5+ years of IEC 61131-3/PLC programming experience, preferably in Codesys or AcSELerator environment

•       3+ years of utility-scale power plant controls experience (solar, BESS, or hybrid)

 

Technical Skills

•       Expert IEC 61131-3 programming; primary tooling is AcSELerator (SEL controllers) and Codesys, including Diagram Builder, traces, breakpoints, and watch lists

•       Extensive knowledge of industrial protocols: Modbus-TCP, DNP3, OPC-UA, etc.

•       Expert knowledge of grid functionality: PFR, AVR, Reactive Power, Voltage Regulation, and Capacitor Banks – including the underlying grid rationale, not just controller behavior

•       Proficiency with Utility/ISO testing and interconnection requirements (ERCOT, PJM, BPA, IEEE 2800, NERC, etc.)

•       Experience with Power Plant Controller (PPC) design, configuration, and commissioning

•       Familiarity with PSCAD, PSSE, and/or TSAT modeling processes for utility-scale sites

 

The Sr. Controls Engineer – OT SCADA Projects leads the design, configuration, commissioning, and support of plant control systems for utility-scale solar, storage, and hybrid renewable energy projects. This engineer works with minimal oversight, applies expert knowledge of grid functionality and Utility/ISO standards, mentors junior engineers, and contributes to product standards. Approximately 80% of this role is project execution, while up to 20% is continuous improvement and product development.

Responsibilities

Project Execution & Technical Delivery (~80%)

•       Lead end-to-end controls design for utility-scale solar, BESS, and hybrid projects – from initiation through commissioning and closeout

•       Program and commission SEL controllers using AcSELerator; develop control logic in Codesys using IEC 61131-3 structured text

•       Identify project-specific deviations from standard product scope during contracting, forecast and scope project-specific development work

•       Implement and validate closed-loop Active Power and Reactive Power, AVR and PFR Algorithms

•       Maintain version control for all code artifacts according to established version control procedure

•       Troubleshoot complex SCADA and controls issues using Wireshark, breakpoints, cross-reference, and watch list tools

•       Produce project deliverables: System Architecture Diagrams, Control Narratives, Logic Diagrams, commissioning documents, and operator manuals

Product & Process Improvement (~20%)

•       Contribute to new feature development and bug fixes in collaboration with the Product Engineering team

•       Review documentation prepared by junior controls engineers (technical and non-technical)

•       Lead the Continuous Improvement and Lessons Learned program, feed field insights back into product standards and templates

•       Coach junior engineers through FAT preparation and customer-facing presentation

Stakeholder Communication & Collaboration

•       Serve as primary controls technical contact for EPCs, asset owners, and grid operators through project execution, FAT, and commissioning

•       Lead FATs as formal presentations; communicate to non-technical audiences with supporting materials prepared in advance

•       Flag technical risks and schedule pressures to management with context and proposed solutions

•       Maintain Jira tickets daily with thorough detail; enforce Jira best practices with junior engineers

Expectations & Success Indicators

•       Deliver high-quality work independently across multiple concurrent projects with ownership and urgency

•       Leverage standardized platforms and tools; avoid project-specific one-off engineering approaches

•       Ensure 100% adherence to Terabase quality processes; enforce standards with junior engineers

•       Mentor junior controls engineers through technical guidance, code review, and FAT coaching

•       Project deliverables completed on time, within scope, and meeting Utility/ISO regulatory standards

•       Jira, version control, and documentation consistently maintained without follow-up from management

•       Recognized internally and externally as the go-to technical authority on Terabase SCADA and OT controls

•       Travel up to 10% for on-site commissioning, FAT, and customer engagements

The Sr. Controls Engineer – OT SCADA Projects leads the design, configuration, commissioning, and support of plant control systems for utility-scale solar, storage, and hybrid renewable energy projects. This engineer works with minimal oversight, appli...

Requirements

Education & Experience

•       Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Technology, or related field

•       3-5+ years of IEC 61131-3/PLC programming experience, preferably in Codesys or AcSELerator environment

•       3+ years of utility-scale power plant controls experience (solar, BESS, or hybrid)

 

Technical Skills

•       Expert IEC 61131-3 programming; primary tooling is AcSELerator (SEL controllers) and Codesys, including Diagram Builder, traces, breakpoints, and watch lists

•       Extensive knowledge of industrial protocols: Modbus-TCP, DNP3, OPC-UA, etc.

•       Expert knowledge of grid functionality: PFR, AVR, Reactive Power, Voltage Regulation, and Capacitor Banks – including the underlying grid rationale, not just controller behavior

•       Proficiency with Utility/ISO testing and interconnection requirements (ERCOT, PJM, BPA, IEEE 2800, NERC, etc.)

•       Experience with Power Plant Controller (PPC) design, configuration, and commissioning

•       Familiarity with PSCAD, PSSE, and/or TSAT modeling processes for utility-scale sites