Technical Lead, Grid Modernization

THIS OPPORTUNITY WSP is currently initiating a search for a Technical Lead, Grid Modernization to support our Energy business across the United States. This position may be based remotely anywhere within the United States. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership for utility, power generation, microgrid, renewable energy, data center, and critical infrastructure projects within WSP's growing Grid Modernization practice. The selected candidate will lead the development of control system architectures, functional requirements, integration strategies, testing programs, and technical reviews to support reliable and resilient power system operations. The role serves as a trusted technical advisor to clients and project teams while coordinating with multidisciplinary engineering and technology specialists. This position works closely with project managers, clients, equipment suppliers, system integrators, and engineering teams involved in Energy Management Systems (EMS), Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS), Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS), SCADA systems, DCS platforms, PLCs, RTUs, microgrid controllers, and related operational technologies. YOUR IMPACT TECHNICAL LEADERSHIP & SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE Lead the development of control philosophies, functional requirements, system architectures, specifications, interface definitions, and acceptance criteria. Define operating modes, control hierarchies, command authority, setpoint ownership, and system boundaries in coordination with clients and stakeholders. Provide technical oversight and leadership throughout project execution, resolving complex design challenges and escalating critical risks as needed. Coordinate with electrical, communications, protection and controls, OT cybersecurity, and power systems teams to ensure alignment across project disciplines. Establish technical standards, methodologies, and best practices to support consistent project delivery. SYSTEM COORDINATION & INTEGRATION Lead coordination of interfaces between generation facilities, battery energy storage systems (BESS), UPS systems, microgrid controllers, plant control systems, and large electrical loads. Define communication requirements, signal lists, alarm strategies, event recording, time synchronization methods, redundancy schemes, and failure-response requirements. Support grid-connected and islanded operation strategies, restoration procedures, and system transition requirements. Collaborate with equipment vendors and system integrators to ensure successful system interoperability. PROJECT DELIVERY & QUALITY ASSURANCE Ensure technical quality, consistency, and completeness of assigned deliverables. Review vendor and integrator design packages for compliance with project requirements and contractual commitments. Manage requirements traceability, technical issue tracking, and design change assessments. Develop and review Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), and integrated system testing plans. Support commissioning, startup activities, operational acceptance, and project closeout efforts. Apply project safety, quality, cybersecurity, and regulatory requirements throughout project execution. CLIENT ENGAGEMENT & PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT Serve as a technical advisor and primary point of contact for assigned clients and projects. Lead technical workshops and facilitate discussions regarding design decisions, alternatives, and implementation strategies. Support proposal development, technical scopes of work, project estimates, resource planning, and delivery strategies. Evaluate technologies, vendors, and implementation alternatives while maintaining client-focused recommendations. Mentor engineers and technical professionals while supporting knowledge sharing across the practice. Contribute to the development of reusable standards, specifications, testing procedures, and lessons learned. Provide workload forecasts and progress updates, manage assigned effort against agreed budgets, and identify delivery constraints early. WHO YOU ARE REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline. 10+ years of experience in utility, power generation, industrial energy, microgrid, data center, or critical infrastructure control systems. Demonstrated technical leadership on complex multidisciplinary engineering projects. Strong expertise in one or more of the following areas: EMS ADMS DERMS SCADA DCS PLC/RTU systems Plant or Microgrid Control Systems Experience developing system requirements, control architectures, specifications, interface definitions, and integration strategies. Experience reviewing vendor designs and managing integration activities. Experience with testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, operational acceptance, and reliability-focused design principles. Strong communication, leadership, mentoring, and client engagement skills. Proven ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining technical quality and project commitments. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Professional Engineer (PE) license or other relevant technical credential. Experience supporting data center power systems and critical infrastructure facilities. Experience integrating generation assets, BESS, UPS systems, plant controllers, and rapidly changing electrical loads. Experience supporting grid-connected and islanded system operations, restoration strategies, and coordination with protection and power system studies. Familiarity with utility and industrial communication protocols, OT network architecture, cybersecurity frameworks, and NERC reliability standards. Consulting, Owner's Engineer, proposal development, technical procurement, or independent design review experience. ABOUT WSP WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, WSP designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water, and environment markets. Our people are our greatest asset, and we are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, innovation, and professional growth. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on supporting employee well-being and long-term success. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement savings programs, paid time off, parental leave, and other programs designed to support employees throughout their careers. Expected salary and level will be determined based on geographic location, education, experience, skills, internal equity, and business needs. Expected Salary (all locations): $130,000 - $180,000 Expected Salary (Colorado only): $130,000 - $180,000 WSP USA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER WSP USA and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship is not available for this position. NOTICE TO THIRD-PARTY AGENCIES WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include resumes or candidate information submitted without a signed Service Agreement under which WSP expressly requested recruitment services for the position. Any unsolicited submissions become the property of WSP, and no fee or other compensation will be owed. #LI-JJ3 About WSP WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper. www.wsp.com [https://www.wsp.com/] WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started? WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status. The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States. NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES: WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand.  Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.