Senior Consultant, Control Systems

The energy transition is vital to our future and here at PSC, we are compelled to make a difference. We are specialist consultants to the energy industry, an independent firm with global operations. Our teams have been tackling the thorniest problems for some of the most prominent industry players for 30 years. We provide critical project consulting support for large energy clients, renewable developers, sustainable energy initiatives, and everything in between. Our vision is to empower people to transform the energy industry so that, together we will power a more sustainable world. We do the right thing, we foster bright ideas, we invest in the future and we celebrate success.

At PSC we want work to enhance your life, not dominate it.

We...

• Thrive in a culture where people are our greatest asset and we truly celebrate and value the individual.
• Have an entrepreneurial spirit, love new ideas and are always looking to improve.
• Understand that everyone has a personal life and provide a flexible work environment - you are an adult, and we trust you to get the job done.
• Provide amazing growth and leadership opportunities in an autonomous role.
• Are a highly collaborative worldwide team of professionals defining the future of this industry.
• Offer competitive compensation & benefits including BUPA private medical insurance, life insurance and annual income protection.

We encourage our people to continually learn, grow and expand their skills and knowledge. Perhaps you would like to complete a master’s or a PhD but haven’t done so yet. We will reimburse a portion of your course fees, up to a maximum of $5,000.00 a year. We have offices in the US and Canada and we have been working in a distributed fashion for years. We are open to hybrid and remote work, or we can offer you a place in one of our offices if you prefer. At this time we are only able to accept applicants with US or Canada working rights. 

What we’re looking for:

Senior Consultant, Control Systems

This role will be focused on providing consulting services to our clients on technical leadership of Operational Technologies (OT) system integration, maintenance, migration and enhancement of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)/Energy Management Systems (EMS) for clients. The role also spans project management, best practices consulting. As part of project consulting work the role will work with the clients to understand and identify their functional needs and what application modifications and/or developments are necessary.

The targeted software applications are server and client-based control and analysis systems for electrical utilities. The SCADA / EMS domain is highly specialized and demands knowledge in electric power generation, transmission and distribution as well as the critical data acquisition technologies utilized.

Essential Responsibilities

OT System Integration

• Provide project integration and support for the installation, upgrade, and maintenance of Energy Management Systems.
• Oversee and/or participate in development of scripts to help in areas such as data conversion, system configuration, system operation, and testing.
• Oversee and/or participate in database modelling for new and existing systems
• Oversee and/or participate in display editing for new and existing systems
• Oversee and/or participate in testing of systems which includes providing feedback of testing results to client and vendors.
• Oversee and/or participate in custom software migration during an upgrade.
• Contribute to diagnostics and problem resolution including performing root cause analysis and interacting with customer and application vendor engineers.
• Contribute to system operation improvement initiatives and maintenance documentation based on continuous reviews.
• Manage deliverables and hours for individual and team projects
• Prepare and review reports
• Develop custom application/function design documentation and implement it.
• Preparation of detailed technical reports as client deliverables.
• Global interaction with PSC colleagues to coordinate and execute work activities.

Consulting Services

• Liaise with clients, project/account management, and internal PSC leadership.
• Collect detailed requirements from clients and work with your PSC team to propose the optimal solutions to meet client objectives.
• Develop methodologies, project plans, and time estimates
• Prepare proposals for new work
• Manage client expectations through regular communication and responsiveness
• As part of the team, track and manage project schedule, budget hours, actions, issues, risks and decisions independently of your own work.
• Deliver projects with the highest quality standards within project budget, scope, and timeline objectives.
• Contribute to project sheets, case studies, or other deliverable content.
• Contribute to small to medium proposal activities for clients.
• Identify potential business opportunities or other client challenges and communicate to management.

Qualifications and Skills

• Minimum of Ten (10) years of broad SCADA/EMS experience, specifically IT/OT projects, ideally working on integration and replacement of applications and services or working directly for a SCADA/EMS vendor.
• Bachelor’s or master’s in engineering or a related field (such as Power Systems Engineering) or comparable professional experience and capability
• Experience executing end-to-end vendor functionality and system integration testing (FAT, SAT and UAT).
• Good knowledge and understanding of operational technologies solutions and systems
• Experience in SDLC, SCM, and various quality processes and methodologies including risk assessment and management.
• Experience working with Test Tools (e.g. HPQC, Jira, qTest) for testing and defect management.
• Experience working with source code management tools (git, TFS, SVN).
• Performing or creating training programs and mentoring junior level team members
• Strong working experience with EMS GE Vernova/Alstom Habitat based systems and associated applications (Historians, Alarms, Mapboard, Load Shed, Outage Scheduler, Variable/Dynamic Line Rating, ICCP, AGC, Study/Real-Time Network Applications, Operator Training Simulation).
• Proficiency with EMS modelling tools, display building tools, and domains (SCADA, Generation, Network, Dispatcher/Operator Training Simulator)
• Proficiency with programming and scripting languages notably C++, python and perl.
• Experience with SQL RDBMS databases
• Excellent computer skills, including: Linux, Windows server, Windows desktop
• Strong knowledge of utility industry regulations.

Attributes and Skills

• Latitude for independent judgment and decision making.
• Ability to deliver control center systems projects independently.
• Ability to function autonomously with minimal to no supervision to accomplish tasks
• Works collaboratively with project management and account management.
• Ability to work to deadlines and exceed client expectations.
• Team and task leadership
• Must be a team player and able to interact closely on a day-to-day basis with all parties tasked with keeping critical real time systems running
• Strong desire to learn new skills and technologies – Growth Mindset
• Effective at problem solving
• Problem analysis, design, implementation, testing and documentation for energy management systems
• Great presentation skills to represent PSC for client presentations, industry forums, working groups and conferences.
• Strong ability to communicate (verbal and written) technical and complex information
• Ability to build and improve relationships with global PSC team members and clients.
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills with outstanding attention to detail.
• Strong levels of initiative, self-motivation, and aptitude to learn.
• Utility operational technology project and support experience and mindset
• Basic understanding of the day-to-day operations of a power utility control room
• Knowledge of maintaining IT infrastructure that supports real-time critical business systems

Special Requirements

• Ability to travel, occasionally working evenings and weekends as needed for business development and consultancy work.
• Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is primarily required to sit or stand at workstation while operating computer, phone, and other office equipment. The employee is required to communicate: speak, write, type and hear.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

We wouldn’t be where we are today without our amazing people. We are passionate about contributing to a meaningful mission and are proud of our people. If you’ve been searching for a human-centric culture, then perhaps you’ve finally found your match with PSC. If this sounds like something you would like to be a part of then we would love to tell you more.

What We offer

At PSC, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is: $125,000 USD to $176,000 USD

You may also be eligible to participate in our profit share program, subject to the rules governing the program, whereby an award, if any, depends on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance. U.S.-based employees have access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, and well-being benefits, among others. U.S.-based employees also receive, per calendar year, 10 scheduled paid holidays, and 10 days of sick leave. Additionally, regular full-time employees accrue up to 15 days of paid vacation. Benefits and perks listed on our careers page vary depending on the nature of employment with PSC and the country's work location. For more on benefits see USA Benefits.

PSC is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. PSC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.