Lead Engineer – Energy Controls & SCADA

Employer description

Leidos Engineering has an opportunity for an experienced Lead Engineer to direct the engineering design of a high-profile plant controller and plant-wide SCADA program for a large behind-the-meter hybrid energy facility in the ERCOT market. The facility combines utility-scale wind and solar generation with a mission-critical AI data center load, connected to the grid through dual 345 kV points of interconnection.

This role will work alongside the Project Manager and program leadership within Leidos Energy. You will be the technical owner of the design: directing a multidisciplinary team of controls, SCADA/HMI, OT cybersecurity, and power systems studies engineers and specialty subcontractors, integrating their work into a coordinated design, and serving as the lead technical voice to the EPC client, equipment vendors, and the owner’s engineers from detailed design through commissioning.

About the Project:

The site-level plant controller is the real-time orchestration layer for the facility, issuing validated setpoints, constraints, and priorities to downstream asset controllers while respecting vendor-certified control logic. Its objectives are to:

Define and enforce a reliable, predictable operating envelope for the mission-critical data center loadDispatch wind and solar generation to regulate voltage, frequency, and apparent power at the dual points of interconnection in line with ERCOT and interconnection requirementsCoordinate with wind and solar power plant controllers, capacitor banks, and transformer tap changers to regulate the POI and protect equipment ratingsMaximize use of on-site renewable generation and minimize unnecessary curtailmentReport key performance indicators for the POI, generation, and load assets through SCADA, HMI, and historian systemsProvide a secure, NERC CIP-ready architecture that can integrate future battery storage and natural gas generation without redesign
This is a permanent, salaried position with Leidos. While this role will focus on one particular project, there is no projected end date for this position, and the selected individual can expect to take part in ongoing Leidos projects in the future. The salary pay range for this postion is between roughly 175 - 210k USD, depending on the selected candidate’s experience and qualifications.

As a Leidos employee, you can look forward to a fast-paced, diverse work environment and flexible work hours/work arrangements, as well as managers who will encourage career development and growth opportunities, including:

Professional Engineer (PE) licensure and Project Management Professional (PMP) certification supportFormal Mentorship programsLearning & Development ResourcesContinuing Education ProgramsTechnical leadership tracks and project management opportunities
In this role, you can expect to:

Serve as technical owner of the plant control and SCADA design across the project lifecycle, from requirements and concept of operations through detailed design, testing, commissioning, and closeoutDirect engineering leads for controls, SCADA/HMI, OT networking and cybersecurity, and power systems studies, integrating their work into one coordinated designDevelop requirements, use cases, control narratives, and control algorithms for plant-level functions such as voltage and reactive power regulation, frequency response, POI and equipment limit control, and load coordinationApply power system modeling and study results to define control limits, operating envelopes, and equipment sizingDevelop and manage interface specifications with third-party controllers, OEMs, utilities, and other stakeholders, and resolve technical conflicts between partiesEnsure the design supports grid operator interconnection requirements and applicable NERC standardsLead technical quality reviews of engineering deliverables, including studies, drawings, specifications, points lists, network designs, and test plansPartner with the Project Manager on engineering budget, schedule, and staffing, providing estimates to complete, early warning of scope changes, and technical input to change ordersDefine hardware and software requirements and review bills of material for control and network equipmentLead technical responses to RFIs and submittals during constructionPlan and lead factory acceptance and hardware-in-the-loop testing, author commissioning test plans, and serve as technical lead during site commissioning and compliance testingRepresent Leidos in technical design reviews and coordination meetings with clients, vendors, and owner’s engineersEnsure the engineering team follows project cybersecurity and critical infrastructure information handling requirementsMentor project engineers and support operator training and knowledge transfer at turnover
What You’ll Bring to the Table (Required Qualifications):

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering; Cmputer or Systems Engineering may be consideredA minimum of eight (8) years of engineering experience in the electric power industry, including at least four (4) years of relevant controls engineering experience.Demonstrated technical leadership of utility-scale power plant controller, SCADA, or substation automation projects from design through commissioningHands-on experience with plant-level control functions such as voltage/VAR regulation, primary frequency response, curtailment, and POI limit control for inverter-based resourcesWorking knowledge of ERCOT interconnection requirements and applicable NERC standards (e.g., PRC-024/029, MOD-025/026/027, CIP)Experience developing or reviewing interface specifications with third-party PPC, OEM, and utility equipment, including communication protocols (DNP3, Modbus, IEEE C37.118, IEC 61850)Ability to interpret power system study results and apply them to control design and operating limitsExperience with design review processes and quality control of engineering deliverablesStrong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting technical positions to clients and vendorsExperience with MS Office Software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)Ability to meet client background screening and site access requirementsPeriodic travel to Texas is required, so candidates should be available for travel as needed
You Might Also Have (Preferred Qualifications):

Professional Engineer (PE) license, or the ability to obtain one, with Texas licensure a plusExperience with hybrid plants, co-located large loads, or data center interconnections, including behind-the-meter configurationsHands-on experience with SEL RTAC/SEL-3555 programming and Ignition SCADA, HMI, and historian developmentExperience integrating Vestas, TMEIC, or similar wind and solar power plant controllersExperience with power systems modeling (PSS/E, PSCAD, ETAP) and real-time simulation for CHIL testing (OPAL-RT, RTDS)Knowledge of OT cybersecurity design (NERC CIP, IEC 62443, next-generation firewalls, jump host architectures, network segmentation)Experience supporting ERCOT resource commissioning, QSE telemetry, or market qualification testingExperience planning for future BESS or gas generation integration in plant control architecturesExperience working on EPC or design-build projects and supporting construction operationsFamiliarity with project management tools (e.g., MS Project, P6, Procore) and engineering budget trackingExcellent organizational skills and the ability to multi-task effectivelyAptitude for problem solving and critical thinking
The salary pay range for this postion is between roughly 175 - 210k USD, depending on the selected candidate’s experience and qualifications.

PDSSUBSTATION

PowerDelivery

If you’re looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We’re not hiring followers. We’re recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We’re already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:October 26, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.