Principal Engineer - Control Automation System

The Control Automation System Principal Engineer serves as the technical authority for automation systems, industrial controls, and operational technologies across the organization. This role leads the architecture, design, implementation, and governance of advanced control systems that enable safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing or operational performance. The Principal Engineer mentors engineering teams, drives innovation, establishes automation standards, and leads strategic initiatives aligned with business objectives.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Oversee the overall technical solution to ensure it meets customer requirements based on reference solutions.
• Identify and drive improvements in engineering methods, operational tools, processes, systems, and technical solutions to enhance customer value and business efficiency.
• Uphold the principles of Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC) within the team.
• Work closely with Team Managers to plan execution strategies, provide engineering estimates, identify risks, and develop mitigation plans for new opportunities.
• Own all aspects of HVDC IEC 61850 implementation, including system deployment, configuration, validation, and associated control & protection system integration challenges.
• Lead the design and implementation of control and automation systems in compliance with IEC 61850, IEC 60870-5, and related power system communication protocols.
• Develop system architectures, substation communication network designs, and data models using Substation Configuration Language (SCL).
• Define control philosophies, protection logic, interlocking logic, and data exchange configurations.
• Integrate Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs), bay controllers, protection relays, and HMIs within digital substations.
• Participate in the Patent Evaluation Board (PEB) to help protect technologies that provide the business with a competitive advantage and safeguard the company’s intellectual property rights.
• Represent the business externally at conferences and in professional working groups or industry bodies such as IEC and CIGRE, while maintaining active relationships with relevant academic institutions to promote research projects and academic collaboration.
• Provide ad hoc technical guidance to the Engineering and Technology leadership team, including support in customer negotiations and supplier audits when required.
• Lead the overall requirements definition, design, implementation, and development of the digital control system for HVDC Control & Protection systems, including network and cybersecurity design.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers on control, protection, and system integration topics.
• Collaborate with project teams, NPI, product care teams, utilities, and vendors to support system integration, testing, and commissioning activities.
• Review and approve technical documentation, including control and protection settings, manuals, and test procedures.
• Lead root cause analysis and troubleshooting for complex VSC control and protection issues.
• Stay current with emerging technologies, standards, and industry best practices related to VSC systems and power system protection.
• Lead the architecture, design, programming, and deployment of control systems, including SCADA, DCS, safety systems, motion control, and HMI.
• Maintain an active role in product introduction, cost improvement, schedule adherence, and problem resolution to meet business needs.
• Provide technical consultation to cross‑functional teams to resolve or improve manufacturing, supply chain, or field issues.
• Actively support Consulting Engineers in staff development and succession planning.
• Participate in interviews for hiring and promotion decisions within Engineering and Technology, up to the level of Senior Engineer.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in power system automation or substation control engineering, including at least 5 years of experience with IEC 61850-based systems.
• In-depth understanding of IEC 61850 protocols and concepts, including MMS, GOOSE, SCL, and Sampled Values.
• Communication networks, including Ethernet, VLANs, and PRP/HSR redundancy.
• Protection relays, IED configuration, and HMI systems.
• Experience with engineering tools such as IEC 61850 System Configurators and IED Connectivity Packages.
• Working knowledge of industrial and utility electrical control and protection systems, Digital Control Systems, Substation Automation, and SCADA.
• Hands‑on experience integrating systems with SCADA and DCS platforms.
• Strong background in configuring Substation Bay Controllers, Merging Units, and IEC 61850 IEDs.
• Excellent knowledge of commonly used Layer 2 and Layer 3 communication protocols, such as IPv4, OSPF, LACP, DMZ, VPN, DMS / ADMS, DNP3, IEC protocols and Modbus.

Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes