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Principal Engineer, SCADA Engineering (BESS)

Invenergy · WI · Remote available · $155,000–$180,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 26, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a SCADA commissioning on a large project that went badly. What did you learn?

What they are checking: Whether they have lived through hard commissioning and turned it into better processes.

Tell me about a time you had to push back on a construction schedule for a technical reason.

What they are checking: Whether they can stand firm on engineering risk with construction leaders who are focused on dates.

What would you do

A battery vendor's controller does not respond to the plant controller as expected days before energization. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can troubleshoot under schedule pressure while protecting safety and grid compliance.

As a senior technical leader, how do you set standards that other engineers and contractors follow across many projects?

What they are checking: Whether they can build repeatable designs and documentation that scale across a large portfolio.

Invenergy works in the office Monday through Thursday and also needs people on site for commissioning. How do you balance office work and field time?

What they are checking: Whether they can stay effective across the office, remote Fridays and project travel.

About the work

Walk me through the control strategy and data interfaces you would define between a BESS, the substation devices and the plant controller.

What they are checking: Whether they can design how storage, protection and plant controls exchange data and commands safely.

What communication protocols have you used on BESS or solar sites, like DNP3, Modbus or IEC 61850, and where do they cause trouble?

What they are checking: Whether they have real field experience with the protocols that make or break SCADA integration.

How do you handle NERC CIP and cybersecurity requirements when designing SCADA networks for generation sites?

What they are checking: Whether they understand compliance and security obligations for grid-connected assets.

You support procurement too. How do you write a SCADA spec so different battery vendors deliver something you can integrate?

What they are checking: Whether they can lock down interface requirements up front to avoid costly surprises in the field.

How do you make sure a site meets the utility or ISO interconnection requirements for things like ramp rates and frequency response?

What they are checking: Whether they understand grid code requirements and how controls are tested against them.

How would you design the communications network for a remote site so that losing one link does not take the plant offline?

What they are checking: Whether they plan for redundancy and failure modes in remote infrastructure.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Invenergy.

Invenergy is North America’s largest privately held developer, owner, and operator of power infrastructure. With 25 years of trusted execution, we deliver reliable, affordable energy through a diverse portfolio that includes natural gas, solar, land-based wind, energy storage, transmission, and domestic manufacturing. Headquartered in Chicago, we develop, own, and operate large scale projects that power communities and support the energy future. Invenergy follows a hybrid schedule, working in office Monday through Thursday and remotely on Fridays if work permits. This position will be open for application for at least 3 calendar days from the posting date. This position will remain open for application based on business need, which may be before or after the 3-day posting window. Job Description Position Overview The Principal Engineer position will be part of the Construction team, with responsibility to serve as a senior technical leader responsible for engineering, procurement support, integration, and commissioning of SCADA systems and associated communications infrastructure across Invenergy generation projects, with primary focus on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and supporting coverage for solar and other technologies as needed. This role is accountable for defining and documenting control strategies and data interfaces between substation devices, generation resources, data centers, remote operation centers, and external entities, and for driving reliable data connectivity and control readiness from design, commissioning, and turnover. Invenergy’s fleet includes standalone and co located or hybrid applications, and this role will help ensure consistent SCADA and controls integration standards across BESS, solar, wind, and hybrid sites. Responsibilities Technical leadership and architecture (BESS primary) • Own SCADA and controls integration approach for BESS projects from concept through commissioning, including interface definitions, network architecture, time synchronization, and data models • Define and document control and data interfaces between BESS subsystems and site SCADA, PPC, substation systems, revenue metering, and remote operations connectivity. • Lead technical reviews of vendor submittals and drawings, including communications architecture, point mapping, cybersecurity alignment, and commissioning procedures. • Provide escalation level troubleshooting for complex integration issues involving protocols, network performance, data quality, and control interlocks during construction and commissioning. Solar and other technologies support (secondary scope) • Provide technical support for solar and other technolog ies SCADA scope as needed, including standard interface definitions, data mapping, and commissioning readiness for plant SCADA across wind, solar, and or BESS. • Support projects with hybrid integration needs by ensuring SCADA requirements and deliverables align for standalone and co located PV and BESS applications. Specifications, scope, and procurement support • Develop specifications and scope of work for EMS , BMS , SCADA, power plant controller, RTU, and IT and OT equipment networks and implementation • Provide requirements needed to procure telecom services and field communications solutions. • Support bid evaluations and supplier selection by providing clear technical requirements and contract exhibit language for SCADA and controls integration. • Support negotiation of Energy Storage Agreements (ESA) by defining and defending SCADA and controls requirements and serving as the technical interface with BESS suppliers and integrators. • Perform factory and equipment inspection , including witness ing factory acceptance test s for hardware and software Project execution and commissioning support • Coordinate with cross functional teams to ensure SCADA deliverables align with overall project requirements and critical path schedules. • Track design schedules, communicate status and risks, and ensure critical dates are met on time. • Monitor construction progress remotely and via on site visits, support resolution of field issues, attend in person meetings with stakeholders, and provide on-site programming and field support during commissioning when required • Support operational plans to energize, commission, and turn over projects while adhering to NERC and other grid reliability requirements • Coordinate with independent engineers and project partners to effectively navigate technical due diligence for SCADA and controls scope. • Support Controls Hardware - in - the - Loop ( CHIL) testing with suppliers in addition to establishing Invenergy CHIL lab Continuous improvement and technical mentorship • Mentor engineers and managers by driving standards, lessons learned, and repeatable execution playbooks that improve commissioning quality and long-term operational reliability. • Maintain up to date knowledge of industry technology through training sessions and conferences. • Take on additional responsibilities as assigned by the manager, supporting team and project objectives . Minimum Qualifications • BS in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related degree. • 8 + years of relevant experience with power generation SCADA and power plant control systems. • Demonstrated experience delivering BESS focused SCADA and controls integration through commissioning and turnover, with ability to support solar and wind projects as needed. • Ability to coordinate and manage multiple concurrent projects. • Strong oral and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills. • Up to 25 % travel required • M ust have a valid driver’s license and be legally authorized to operate a motor vehicle. • Eligible to work in the United States without the need for employer visa sponsorship now or in the future. Preferred Qualifications • Master’s in Engineering preferred. • Working knowledge of NERC compliance requir e ments . • Prior installation, commissioning, and site construction experience in renewable power generation. • Advanced knowledge and programming of EMS, B MS, SCADA, HMI, PLC , RTU platforms. • Familiarity with industrial communication protocols such as OPC, CANBUS, DNP3, and Modbus. • Experience integrating SCADA and controls with Ti er 1 BESS suppliers (e.g., Tesla, Fluence) and navigating vendor interface requirements through design, commissioning, and turnover. Base Pay $155,000.00 - $180,000.00 USD Annual Bonus: 25% - 40% The base pay range reflects the minimum and maximum target salary for the position. Invenergy considers a number of factors when determining base pay offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education and skills. In addition to base pay, the total annual compensation package may also include eligibility to participate in our bonus program(s) which are designed to reward individual and company performance. Your recruiter can share more about bonus eligibility for this position during the hiring process. Invenergy offers a variety of other benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401k, paid time off, etc. Invenergy LLC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or disability.

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