SCADA Engineer

Who We Are:
At Northland, we’re enablers of change, united by our journey to transform the energy sector into the foundation for a sustainable future.

Since our inception, we’ve been early movers in the energy industry, adopting new initiatives that pave the way for communities across the globe and helping forge their path towards a carbon-neutral landscape.

We’re a different kind of independent power producer. As developers, owners and operators who are at the forefront of the energy transition, we’re uniquely positioned to leave a lasting impact in the regions where we operate. We’ve expanded our business across Canada, the United States, Latin America, Europe and Asia to become a global leader, all by bringing together industry experts to find solutions with an entrepreneurial mindset. 

While our work powers communities across the globe, Northland is powered by our people.

What You’ll Do:

The SCADA Engineer, Operations supports the reliable, secure, and effective operation of SCADA, control, telemetry, and related systems across Northland's North American wind, solar, and natural gas facilities. As part of the Technical Performance Management team, the role provides subject-matter expertise throughout the operating phase of the asset lifecycle, including troubleshooting, system upgrades, lifecycle management, performance improvement, and integration of new facilities into operations.
The role works closely with facility personnel, other Technical Performance Management team members, IT/OT and cybersecurity teams, and Northland's construction and development functions.

* Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation in a Canadian jurisdiction is strongly preferred. Candidates who otherwise meet the requirements of the position but do not hold a P.Eng. may be considered for an equivalent SCADA Specialist position.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead SCADA/control system upgrade projects, including development of technical requirements for contracts, budgets, schedules, risk management plans, and the overall technical approach.  The SCADA Engineer will serve as the key point of contact and work with contractors to ensure quality execution of the deliverables, risks are mitigated, and that appropriate knowledge capture occurs for successful project delivery and integration into facility operations.
• Troubleshooting and maintenance of facility SCADA/DCS systems. In addition to corrective actions, this may also involve creating event summary reports, performing root cause analysis, and developing and implementing remedial action plans. The role will work directly with SCADA/DCS system vendors, consultants, and internal or external IT/OT and cybersecurity groups as required.
• Support turn-over of new facilities from construction.  This will include participating in some of the testing and commissioning activities for SCADA/HMI, historian, and telemetry systems in order to gain operational knowledge of the facility in order to ensure a smooth transition to operations.  Activities may include reviewing design and construction documentation, supporting commissioning activities, reviewing commissioning reports, and helping to resolve issues identified during the construction and turnover phases (e.g. punch-list items).

 

• Systems within the scope of work include, but are not limited to:
  •  SCADA/DCS software packages such as Inductive Automation Ignition, and to lesser degree Emerson Ovation, Emerson DeltaV, and other similar platforms/Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs)
  • Plant controllers (such as SEL RTACs);
  • Remote Terminal Units (RTUs);
  • Other Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs);
  • SCADA-related servers, virtualization, databases, backup and recovery systems;
  • Associated interfaces with protection, metering, networking, cybersecurity, and other relevant enterprise system

 

• Providing troubleshooting, maintenance, and upgrade support for facility telemetry systems and plant historian systems.
• Working with facility operations personnel to establish and implement alarm management standards, including alarm prioritization and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Supporting ongoing performance monitoring and optimization of site equipment and control systems.
• Contributing to initiatives that reduce costs and improve the reliability, scalability, utility, and sustainability of facility control systems. This includes researching, evaluating, and piloting new technologies, systems, vendors, and architectures that meet business and operational requirements.
• Building and maintaining strong working relationships with facility personnel and fostering a collaborative team environment. This position is expected to guide and support the technical development of other team members.
• Coordinating and communicating with third-party vendors, consultants, contractors, and service providers to complete assigned projects and operational activities.
• Supporting M&A and development activities from time to time including:  supporting due diligence activities, feasibility reviews, and operational assessments as required.

• Maintain and develop common SCADA/control-system standards and preferred architectures across the fleet
• Ensure drawings, backups, source code, configurations and system documentation are controlled and maintained
• Work with IT/OT cybersecurity teams to ensure modifications meet applicable cybersecurity requirements
• Ensure backups and recovery procedures exist and are periodically validated

 

Who You Are:

• Technically oriented and quick learning: You enjoy technical challenges and quickly develop expertise in new systems and technologies
• Problem solver: You identify and evaluate alternate solutions to problems considering the technical, commercial, and people implications of each option
• Organized and disciplined: You maintain accurate records, documentation, configurations, and technical information.
• Collaborative and team-oriented: You build strong relationships across functions and facilities and value team success over individual gain
• Mentor:  You actively share technical knowledge and help develop the capabilities of colleagues and facility personnel
• Clear communicator: Able to communicate clearly orally and in writing to different audiences including technical peers, facility personnel, vendors, and commercial and legal
• Safety oriented:  You are always vigilant of your safety and the safety of others

 

 

 

Qualifications and Experience

• 6+ years of SCADA/controls related experience
• Working knowledge of industrial networking, OT communications, and commonly used protocols such as Modbus TCP, DNP3, OPC, and related technologies (NERC CIP knowledge an asset)
• Working knowledge of databases associated with SCADA/historian implementations
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting complex SCADA or industrial control-system issues
• Experience delivering SCADA/control-system upgrades or major modifications in operating industrial facilities
• Experience with commissioning, FAT/SAT, system integration, and control-system testing.
• Understanding of industrial cybersecurity principles, network architecture, access control, backup/recovery, and change management
• Ability to interpret electrical/control drawings, network architecture drawings, logic diagrams, and technical specifications
• Experience developing technical specifications and managing vendors or consultants

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related engineering discipline and a P.Eng designation strongly preferred

• While not required, some knowledge of protection and control systems and dynamic disturbance recorders is an asset

We hire talented and passionate people from different backgrounds. If you’re excited about a role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with this job description, we still encourage you to apply. Learn more about our diversity, inclusion and belonging commitments. 

Disclaimer

This document is a guide. The duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the jobs as described herein are not inclusive and are subject to change.

Northland Power is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to creating a fair, inclusive and accessible environment. As part of our commitment we work to ensure our application process is accessible to all candidates. If you require special assistance or accommodation during the hiring process, please notify a member of the HR Department.

Pay Range:

$104,000.00 - $130,000.00

This document is a guide. The duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the jobs as described herein are not inclusive and are subject to change.

Northland Power is an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to creating a fair, inclusive and accessible environment. As part of our commitment we work to ensure our application process is accessible to all candidates. If you require special assistance or accommodation during the hiring process, please notify a member of the HR Department.

 

We use AI‑enabled tools to help identify applications that meet job‑related criteria. All applications are reviewed and decisions are made by people.

This is a replacement position.