Senior Engineer, Electrical Planning and Design

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

Job Purpose

As a Senior Engineer in DC&I, you will serve as a technical leader supporting National Grid’s ESMP‑aligned Grid Modernization initiatives, with a primary focus on operational technology (OT) network engineering and communications for distribution field devices outside of the substation. This role enables the reliable, safe, and secure operation of distribution automation systems such as DERMS, FLISR, Volt/VAR Optimization (VVO), and other intelligent grid applications deployed across the distribution network.

In this position, you will own and influence OT communications architecture and network design for grid‑edge devices including reclosers, voltage regulators, switches, RTUs, and other distribution automation assets. As a senior engineer, you will act as a technical subject‑matter expert and escalation point, working hands‑on with IP‑based networking, field and wide‑area communications, and cybersecurity controls. You will collaborate closely with DC&I peers, SCADA/ADMS, IT, telecom, and cybersecurity teams to deliver scalable, resilient, and secure communications solutions, while helping guide technical standards and mentor engineers supporting distribution automation.

Key Accountabilities

• Serve as a technical lead for OT network engineering and communications architecture supporting distribution field devices deployed outside of substations, including reclosers, voltage regulators, switches, RTUs, and other grid-edge automation assets.
• Design, implement, and support IP-based network architectures enabling reliable and secure communications between distribution field devices, control centers, and enterprise systems.
• Own and influence field area and wide-area communications solutions leveraging technologies such as private LTE, carrier Ethernet, MPLS, and SD-WAN to support real-time distribution automation and control.
• Support the deployment, integration, and operation of distribution automation and grid modernization applications including DERMS, FLISR, Volt/VAR Optimization (VVO), and Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR).
• Apply deep working knowledge of TCP/IP networking (routing, switching, VLANs, subnetting, segmentation) to ensure resilient, scalable, and observable OT communications.
• Collaborate with IT, telecom, and cybersecurity teams to design and implement secure OT network solutions, including firewalls, access control, segmentation, monitoring, and secure remote access, aligned with industry and regulatory requirements.
• Act as a technical subject-matter expert and escalation point for complex communications and networking issues impacting SCADA, ADMS, DERMS, and other distribution automation systems across lab, pilot, and production environments.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, participate in equipment specification and selection, and lead validation, testing, and integration of new distribution communications and automation solutions.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of technical standards, design patterns, and best practices for distribution OT networking and communications.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to engineers and project teams, supporting consistent and high-quality implementation of distribution automation solutions.
• Support project planning and execution to deliver grid modernization capabilities aligned with ESMP vision, operational needs, and safety priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline from an accredited institution.
• 6+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent demonstrated expertise, supporting distribution automation, OT networking, or control system communications in utility or mission‑critical environments.
• Strong hands‑on experience with IP‑based networking in OT environments, including routing, switching, VLANs, subnetting, segmentation, and network troubleshooting.
• Working knowledge of distribution automation and control systems such as SCADA, ADMS, DERMS, FLISR, VVO, or similar intelligent grid applications.
• Understanding of cybersecurity principles for OT and industrial control systems, including defense‑in‑depth, network segmentation, access control, monitoring, and secure remote access.
• Ability to translate operational and engineering requirements into robust network and communications designs, and to interpret network diagrams and interface specifications.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain technical concepts to engineering peers, operations personnel, and leadership.
• Willingness to work flexible hours and travel as needed.

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