Engineer, Electrical Planning and Design

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National Grid is hiring a Engineer (Electrical Planning and Design), Electrical Engineering for Northboro, Massachusetts.

Job Purpose

National Grid is seeking a Telecommunications Engineer to support and enhance mission-critical communications infrastructure for electric grid operations. This role is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining highly reliable telecom networks and systems that enable real-time monitoring and control of electric transmission and distribution systems, including substations and control centers. The ideal candidate will have experience in working with various Layer 1 telecommunications transport mediums (Fiber, Microwave, and leased services) as well as Layer 2 switching and Layer 3 routing technologies. 

Key Accountabilities

Key Responsibilities
•    Design, deploy, and maintain telecommunications networks and systems supporting electric utility operations, including transmission and distribution systems.
•    Develop and maintain network diagrams, standards, and documentation.
•    Design, implement and maintain MPLS-TP based transport networks for secure and segmented utility communications.
•    Ensure high availability and low latency communications for protection schemes (e.g., teleprotection, line differential relaying).
•    Support communications for SCADA, Energy Management Systems (EMS), Distribution Management Systems (DMS), substation automation, and distribution system automation.
•    Configure and troubleshoot Layer 2 switching (VLANs, STP, QinQ) in substations and backbone environments.
•    Design and manage Layer 3 routing across utility WAN and LAN networks.
•    Support substation communications infrastructure, including fiber optics, commercial wired and wireless services, multiplexers, and ruggedized networking equipment.
•    Monitor network performance and reliability using Net Work Management (NMS) tools.
•    Provide technical support to Telecom Operations Team and other internal and external customers as needed.
•    Participate in storm restoration efforts and provide emergency communications support during grid events.
•    Ensure compliance with NERC CIP and other regulatory and cybersecurity requirements.
•    

Required Qualifications
•    A Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology or equivalent from an ABET accredited engineering program.
•    2+ years of experience in telecommunications/networking, preferably within an electric utility or critical infrastructure environment.
•    Strong verbal and written communications skills.
•    Strong problem solving & analytical skills.
•    Familiarity with fiber optic systems, including testing and troubleshooting (OTDR, splicing basics).
•    Familiarity with industrial/ruggedized network equipment (e.g., DWDM multiplexers Network switches, Ruggedized routers).
•    Familiarity with:
o    Layer 2 switching (Broadcast domains, VLANs, trunking, spanning tree protocols)
o    Layer 3 routing (IP addressing, subnetting)
o    Label switching – MPLS technologies.
•    Familiarity with industrial/ruggedized network equipment (e.g., DWDM multiplexers Network switches, Ruggedized routers).
•    Proficient in MS Office computer skills (Outlook, Excel, Work, Power point, Access, etc.)

Qualifications

•    Familiarity with legacy systems (SONET/SDH) and migration to packet-based networks.
•    Knowledge of electric utility protocols and systems:
o    SCADA, IEC 61850, DNP3, Modbus
•    Knowledge of substation communication architectures and protection signaling (e.g., teleprotection schemes).
•    Understanding of NERC CIP compliance.
•    Knowledge of cybersecurity requirements for grid infrastructure is a plus.
•    Relevant networking certifications (e.g., CCNA or equivalent).
•    Experience with microwave radio, and licensed/unlicensed wireless systems.

Key Skills
•    Excellent cross-functional communication with other internal disciplines such as protection engineering, Substation engineering, Transmission/Distribution Line Engineering, operations, and IT.
•    High attention to detail in documentation and change management

Work Environment
•    Hybrid office schedule.
•    Participation in emergency storm response
•    Occasional travel to substations and remote utility sites is expected as part of the job.

More Information