Power Systems Engineer – San Antonio, TX. (Government Clearance Eligible Candidates)

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

CNF Technologies is searching for a Power Systems Engineer with experience and knowledge designing, developing, configuring, and testing High and Medium-Voltage Power Grid Systems in critical infrastructure, to support the 318 Range Squadron (RANS) Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Lab in San Antonio, TX. The 318RANS OT/ICS Lab incorporates virtualized, simulated, and hardware-in-the-loop technologies to provide high-fidelity OT/ICS environments for training and qualifying operators, conducting exercises, and performing mission rehearsals in the cyber-physical domain. A successful candidate should be a problem solver with a proven ability to deliver superior results as part of a high performing team in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITY:

As a Power Systems Engineer, you will support our customers in collaborative laboratory and test range environments to identify threats to programmable logic, OT/ICS/SCADA systems, including Electric Power and related critical infrastructures. You will support the development of Digital Power Systems, and you will collaborate with mission partners and commercial/utility partners with the aim of protecting critical infrastructures. To this end, you will perform tasks that include:

• Design, develop, and maintain digital twin models of electric power systems (generation, transmission, and distribution) using real-time and offline simulation platforms

• Build and integrate hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), software-in-the-loop (SIL), and co-simulation environments to enable realistic testing of OT/ICS and power system components

• Configure and interface real-world devices (RTUs, PLCs, IEDs, relays) with simulated grid environments to create hybrid cyber-physical testbeds

• Develop and execute power system studies (load flow, transient stability, short circuit, protection coordination) within simulation-driven digital environments

• Architect and support virtualized OT/ICS infrastructure, including SCADA/HMI systems, networks, and protocol emulation, within lab and range environments

• Integrate real-time digital simulators (e.g., RTDS, Hypersim) with enterprise and cloud-based simulation frameworks to enable scalable and distributed experimentation

• Support the creation of high-fidelity training, test, and mission rehearsal scenarios for cyber-physical operations affecting critical infrastructure

• Identify, emulate, and assess cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities in power system digital twins and ICS environments

• Develop and prototype mitigation strategies and resilient system designs to enhance the security and reliability of critical infrastructure

• Deploy, configure, and maintain simulation assets, virtual machines, and physical lab equipment across test ranges and mission environments

• Perform data collection, time-synchronized analysis, and validation of simulation and HIL test results against real-world system behavior

• Collaborate with mission partners, utilities, vendors, and cross-domain engineers to align simulation environments with operational realities

EXPERIENCE / KNOWLEDGE:

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience and knowledge in the following areas:

• Background in the power industry with hands-on experience supporting the design, analysis, or operation of high and medium-voltage power systems in critical infrastructure

• Experience developing and interpreting electrical one-line diagrams, schematics, and wiring diagrams using CAD tools

• Familiarity with industry-standard power system analysis tools (e.g., ETAP, SKM, RSCAD); experience with RTDS and/or Hypersim preferred

• Working knowledge of data communications and automation protocols (DNP3, MODBUS, IEC 60870-5-101/103/104, IEC 61850, Ethernet/IP, OPC)

• Experience supporting or developing SCADA/HMI systems for monitoring and controlling power or industrial systems

• Ability to troubleshoot, test, and support operation of ICS/SCADA/HMI hardware and software systems

• Basic understanding of cybersecurity principles for ICS/SCADA environments, including identification of common vulnerabilities (NERC CIP or similar standards preferred)

• Operational experience with OT/ICS/SCADA systems in electrical power, water, energy, transportation, manufacturing, or other critical infrastructure sectors

REQUIREMENTS:

• Security Clearance: This position does not require an active security clearance at the time of hire. However, the selected candidate must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance. Continued employment will be contingent upon successful clearance adjudication.

• Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in one of the following majors: Electrical or Power Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or Industrial Engineering with Power Systems or ICS/SCADA specialization. Other STEM degrees with relevant experience will be considered. Master of Science Degree preferred

• Experience / Knowledge: Minimum 5 years of experience and/or academic research in the areas identified; references requested

• Location: Techport, San Antonio, TX, partial hybrid schedule (customer and supervisor defined)

• Travel: This role may require travel up to 25% of time

SALARY RANGE:

• $130K - $150K per year