Plant Controller, Project Lead

Leidos

. Direct engineering design of a plant controller and plant-wide SCADA program for a behind-the-meter hybrid energy facility in the ERCOT market .

Posted 10/26/2026full-timeRemote • Texas • United StatesSenior💰 $175,000 - $225,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in engineering design and technical leadership for utility-scale power plant controllers and SCADA systems, with a strong focus on compliance with NERC standards and ERCOT interconnection requirements. Proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and deliver high-quality engineering solutions from concept through commissioning.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Technical Leadership of Utility-Scale Power Plant Controller ProjectsExperience with Voltage/VAR Regulation and Frequency ResponseKnowledge of ERCOT Interconnection Requirements and NERC StandardsHands-On Experience with DNP3, Modbus, and IEC 61850 ProtocolsProfessional Engineer (PE) License or Ability to Obtain

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Hard Skills

Engineering DesignSCADA System DevelopmentPower System ModelingControl Algorithm DevelopmentTechnical Quality ReviewsCybersecurity DesignCommissioning Test PlansInterface Specification DevelopmentDesign Review ProcessesProject Management

Soft Skills

Strong Written and Verbal CommunicationOrganizational AbilitiesMultitaskingProblem-SolvingCritical Thinking

Tools & Technologies

MS Office SoftwareSEL RTAC/SEL-3555 ProgrammingIgnition SCADAPSS/EPSCADETAPOPAL-RTRTDSMS ProjectProcore

Certifications & Qualifications

Professional Engineer (PE) LicenseTexas Licensure

Industry Keywords

ERCOT MarketBehind-the-Meter Hybrid Energy FacilityNERC CIP StandardsUtility-Scale Power PlantsData Center InterconnectionsHybrid PlantsEPC Project ExperienceConstruction Operations SupportQSE TelemetryMarket Qualification Testing

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cyber SecurityFirewalls

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Direct engineering design of a plant controller and plant-wide SCADA program for a behind-the-meter hybrid energy facility in the ERCOT market
Serve as technical owner of the plant control and SCADA design from requirements and concept of operations through detailed design, testing, commissioning, and closeout
Direct multidisciplinary controls, SCADA/HMI, OT networking and cybersecurity, and power systems studies engineering leads and specialty subcontractors
Integrate engineering work into a coordinated design and serve as lead technical voice to the EPC client, equipment vendors, utilities, and owner’s engineers
Develop requirements, use cases, control narratives, and control algorithms for voltage/reactive power regulation, frequency response, POI and equipment limit control, and load coordination
Apply power system modeling and study results to define control limits, operating envelopes, and equipment sizing
Develop and manage interface specifications with third-party controllers, OEMs, utilities, and stakeholders; resolve technical conflicts
Ensure design supports grid operator interconnection requirements and applicable NERC standards
Lead technical quality reviews of studies, drawings, specifications, points lists, network designs, and test plans
Partner with the Project Manager on engineering budget, schedule, staffing, estimates to complete, scope changes, and change orders
Define hardware and software requirements and review bills of material for control and network equipment
Lead technical responses to RFIs and submittals during construction
Plan and lead factory acceptance and hardware-in-the-loop testing; author commissioning test plans
Serve as technical lead during site commissioning and compliance testing
Represent Leidos in technical design reviews and coordination meetings
Ensure cybersecurity and critical infrastructure information handling requirements are followed
Mentor project engineers and support operator training and knowledge transfer at turnover
Coordinate plant controls to regulate voltage, frequency, apparent power, POI limits, renewable dispatch, and data center load
Report key performance indicators through SCADA, HMI, and historian systems
Design a secure, NERC CIP-ready architecture supporting future battery storage and natural gas generation integration

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering; Controls, Computer, or Power Systems Engineering may be considered
Minimum of eight (8) years of engineering experience in the electric power industry
At least four (4) years leading multidisciplinary design teams
Technical leadership of utility-scale power plant controller, SCADA, or substation automation projects from design through commissioning
Hands-on experience with voltage/VAR regulation, primary frequency response, curtailment, and POI limit control for inverter-based resources
Working knowledge of ERCOT interconnection requirements and applicable NERC standards, including PRC-024/029, MOD-025/026/027, and CIP
Experience with PPC, OEM, and utility equipment interfaces and communication protocols including DNP3, Modbus, IEEE C37.118, and IEC 61850
Ability to interpret power system study results and apply them to control design and operating limits
Experience with design review processes and quality control of engineering deliverables
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting technical positions to clients and vendors
Experience with MS Office Software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
Ability to meet client background screening and site access requirements
Periodic travel to Texas is required; availability to travel as needed
Preferred: Professional Engineer (PE) license, or ability to obtain one; Texas licensure a plus
Preferred: Experience with hybrid plants, co-located large loads, or data center interconnections, including behind-the-meter configurations
Preferred: SEL RTAC/SEL-3555 programming and Ignition SCADA, HMI, and historian development
Preferred: Vestas, TMEIC, or similar wind and solar power plant controller integration
Preferred: PSS/E, PSCAD, ETAP, OPAL-RT, or RTDS experience
Preferred: OT cybersecurity design, including NERC CIP, IEC 62443, next-generation firewalls, jump host architectures, and network segmentation
Preferred: ERCOT resource commissioning, QSE telemetry, or market qualification testing
Preferred: Future BESS or gas generation integration in plant control architectures
Preferred: EPC or design-build project experience and construction operations support
Preferred: MS Project, P6, Procore, and engineering budget tracking
Preferred: Organizational, multitasking, problem-solving, and critical-thinking abilities

Benefits

Comp & perks

Flexible work hours/work arrangements
Professional Engineer (PE) licensure and Project Management Professional (PMP) certification support
Formal Mentorship programs
Learning & Development Resources
Continuing Education Programs
Technical leadership tracks and project management opportunities
Career development and growth opportunities