Engineering Associate 1

Pay Grade

12

*Qualifications may warrant placement in a different job level

Deadline to Apply: June 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST

Position Summary

Provide engineering and technical support to System Operations and enterprise stakeholders on a 24x7 basis to analyze, plan, specify, develop, procure, maintain, and enhance systems, procedures, and processes used to monitor and control CPS Energy’s transmission, distribution, distributed energy resources, and gas facilities through SCADA and other Operational Technology (OT) platforms. Modify and analyze network models to ensure the accuracy and reliability of OT and advanced applications, while integrating OT systems with external platforms to maximize data accuracy and operational effectiveness. Maintain and support advanced applications and third-party products to optimize system value, design and troubleshoot front-end telemetry infrastructure using various SCADA and OT protocols, and uphold strong cybersecurity and reliability compliance standards. Drive innovation by leveraging existing OT solutions to overcome operational challenges and deliver value to System Operations, the company, and the community.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Provide engineering and technical support to Operations Staff by ensuring OT applications and integrated systems work as expected so CPS Energy can effectively control and monitor its transmission, distribution, and gas systems in real-time.
• Provide OT engineering support to Operations staff ensuring effective execution of power restoration processes for CPS Energy customers.
• Formulate models and provide engineering direction and support in the development and modification of existing OT subsystems, functions, applications, databases, processes, procedures, and documentation in such a way as to maximize system accuracy, reliability and usability.
• Perform network model database changes to add, delete, and modify elements in the SCADA application to support reliable and accurate real-time controls of the CPS Energy electric transmission, distribution, and gas systems.
• Ensure OT database accuracy by performing point checkouts with field personnel to ensure reliable and accurate representation of OT models in real-time operations.
• Support electric advanced power flow and state estimation functions for real-time system operations use (e.g. state estimation, Volt-VAR optimization, fault location and isolation, etc.).
• Ensure regulatory compliance by collaborating with various groups within CPS Energy and creating, maintaining, and verifying OT cyber security controls and documentation.
• Assign and direct technical work of others including vendors and consultants.
• Work with Enterprise IT personnel to maintain the reliability and availability of all OT system functions.
• Support archiving and reporting tools used by other departments within CPS Energy.
• Support SCADA Operator Training Simulators so that System Operators have a viable simulator for annual required training.
• Identify OT application issues or enhancement opportunities and coordinate with application vendor to develop a software update and test plan.
• Work independently to verify vendor software patches.  Develop detailed test and implementation procedures to install new software (code) onto a real-time control system.
• Use technical expertise and creativity to develop and implement innovative solutions to complex problems that increase value delivered to CPS Energy operations and customers.  

Minimum Skills

Minimum Knowledge and Abilities

Preferred Qualifications

• BS in Engineering from an ABET accredited university (Electrical or Computer preferred)
• Knowledge of power systems analysis and design  
• Experience with power flow modeling and associated tools (e.g. CYME, Distribution Power Flow via SCADA, etc)
• Experience with electric load modeling and  forecasting tools
• Experience with Electric real-time system
• Familiarity with Electric Grid Modernization/Optimization or Distribution Automation (Smart Grid)
• Knowledge of SCADA and WebBased Protocols: DNP serial/IP, ModBus, ICCP, Multispeak, 2030.5, OpenADR, RestFUL, etc
• Familiarity with NERC CIP, NIST cyber security controls and other BES reliability standards
• Knowledge and fluent use of Linux Operating systems and Shell Scripting
• Knowledge and fluent use of Windows Operating systems and PowerShell
• Basic to intermediate TCP/IP networking skills
• Knowledge of some high-level programming languages a plus (Visual Basic, Javascript, Perl, Awk, C++, or C#, PHP, Python etc)
• Knowledge of Oracle DB and SQL+ query language
• Knowledge with “big data” platforms such as Tableau, Hadoop, or other business intelligence platforms
• Knowledge of Common communication protocols: RS232, TCP/IP, SSH, HTTP
• Experience with and ability to read output of ASE test set and Wireshark for protocol level debugging
• Experience or knowledge of OSI PI usage and administration
• Ability to get Engineer In Training certification and Texas Professional Engineer license
• Familiarity with advanced SCADA applications such as Distribution Power Flow, Short Circuit Fault Location, State Estimation and Volt Var Optimization programs.
• Experience troubleshooting telemetry errors and performance problems as they relate to SCADA systems.
• Ability to solve complex technical problems through creativity and the use of applied technologies to bring value to CPS Energy and our customers. 

Competencies

Minimum Education

Required Certifications

Working Environment

Physical Demands