PSA-SCADA EMS–SCADA Database Developer

Job Title: PSA-SCADA / EMS SCADA Database Developer
Job Location: Remote US
Job Duration: 3 Months Contract to Hire

Job Summary:

• The Database Developer is responsible for SCADA/EMS database design and development. This includes designing configuring and maintaining EMS/SCADA databases such as analog status and control points; alarms tags quality flags and substitution rules; and application inputs and outputs for state estimation contingency analysis automatic generation control and related EMS functions.
• The role also includes developing and maintaining data models and mappings for substation integration (RTUs IEDs gateways) and for transmission and/or distribution network elements such as lines transformers breakers and DER. The developer ensures database consistency maintains naming conventions and enforces adherence to internal standards.
• Standards reliability and compliance are central to this role.
• The Database Developer applies relevant standards and best practices in database design and configuration including NERC reliability and operations standards where applicable NERC CIP and/or local cybersecurity requirements (in coordination with security teams) and IEC standards such as IEC 60870 and where relevant IEC 61850.
• They ensure that database changes support operational reliability and safety are designed and documented to withstand internal review and external audit and align with change management access control and logging requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

Software Design & Development

• Design and implement new functionalities for EMS and DTS applications in the power systems domain.
• Produce high-quality EMS functional software design specifications and related technical documentation.
• Ensure solutions meet functional and non-functional requirements (performance reliability security maintainability).

Application Implementation & Configuration

• Lead the implementation of advanced SCADA and Power System applications.
• Perform application configuration and tuning to meet customer and system requirements.
• Conduct functional analysis and maintain requirements traceability throughout the development lifecycle.

Testing Quality & Automation

• Define and draft test cases based on functional and non-functional requirements.
• Execute validation and regression tests; analyze results and drive defect resolution and triage.
• Support and contribute to test automation initiatives (e.g. Katalon) to improve test coverage and efficiency.
• Ensure adherence to quality assurance standards processes and best practices.

Collaboration & Technical Leadership

• Collaborate with system/project engineers frontend developers EMS application developers and technical leads to deliver solutions aligned with product strategy and architecture.
• Consult with other technical leads to ensure compliance with project-related system design guidelines and coding standards.
• Provide input to technical leads on scope schedules and cost estimates based on technical complexity and delivery risks.

Customer Interaction & Support

• Interface with customers to address general and domain-specific issues within the area of functional expertise.
• Provide technical support root-cause analysis and problem-solving for complex issues in test and production environments.
• Prepare and maintain user test and operational documentation.

Requirements Management & Traceability

• Analyze and maintain functional and non-functional requirements traceability matrices.
• Ensure clear linkage from requirements through design implementation and testing.

• C Development Independently designs and implements non-trivial C features; comfortable with OOP STL patterns; debugs and optimizes code; contributes to code reviews and technical decisions
• C Development Independently develops and maintains C modules; strong in pointers memory management and low-level concepts; debugs complex issues; contributes to coding standards and best practices.
• Java Delivers non-trivial Java components independently; strong with core APIs collections error handling; debugs complex issues; participates in design and code review discussions.
• Linux Development Comfortable developing and debugging on Linux; uses shell scripts build tools and logs; can configure dev/test environments and resolve environment-related issues.
• Python Implements and maintains routine Python functionality. Understands core syntax data structures functions classes and basic error handling. Uses common libraries and tools (e.g. requests logging unittest/pytest) with guidance. Handles straightforward bugs; needs support for advanced features (e.g. async/await meta classes complex packaging performance tuning).

• Master Common protocols: IEC/104 DNP3 MODBUS IEC 61850 exposure is a plus Has basic awareness of IEC/104 DNP3 MODBUS and the role they play in SCADA/EMS communications. Recognizes them by name and can follow high-level explanations (e.g. telemetry vs. control serial vs. TCP/IP) but has limited experience with detailed configuration or troubleshooting. Can execute predefined test steps and update documentation or point lists when given explicit instructions but relies on senior staff for interpreting protocol behavior and resolving issues. Minimal exposure to IEC 61850.

• Jira Uses Jira for basic tasks (creating/updating issues following workflows); relies on guidance for advanced filtering dashboards and reporting features.
• Katalon Studio Can run existing automated tests and make small updates; needs guidance for designing new test suites frameworks and integrations.
• High ownership and accountability for technical quality and delivery.
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work independently and in cross-functional teams.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Computer Science Electrical Engineering Software Engineering or related field.
• 5 years of work experience in customizing and delivering Energy Management Systems preferably Reliance EMS.
• 5 years of experience with electric utility industry practices.
• 3 years of experience with electric utility industry practices.
• 5 years of experience with C Java or other secondary skills
• Significant experience in software development for industrial SCADA or power system applications.
• Strong proficiency in software engineering principles design patterns and best practices.
• Experience with testing practices defect analysis/triage and quality assurance processes.
• Demonstrated experience in requirements analysis and traceability.
• Strong analytical problem-solving and debugging skills.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and interact with customers.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with EMS and/or DTS applications in the power systems domain.
• Familiarity with SCADA systems and real-time control environments.
• Experience with test automation tools such as Katalon.
• Knowledge of power system operations market operations or grid management concepts.
• Experience working in a Software Center of Excellence or similar high-standard engineering organization.