Offshore Substation SCADA & Control System Engineer H/F

Role Definition

RTE is the French high and extra-high voltage electricity TSO (transmission system operator). As such, RTE is in charge of balancing the production and consumption of electricity at all times, as well as developing, executing, and operating the onshore and offshore national grid.

Offshore grid connection projects to connect wind farms to the network form part of a very ambitious programme in France to achieve net zero by 2050 by bringing 40 GW of offshore wind generation into service. For all these projects, RTE is responsible for the offshore windfarm grid connection, from the offshore substation to the onshore substation and inland national grid. The connections are HVDC or HVAC, depending on the project.

The Centre National Expertise Réseau (CNER) is the engineering expertise centre for the national electrical network. CNER defines the technical reference frameworks and policies for the engineering aspects of these major projects (subsea cables, offshore electrical substations, HVDC land cable systems, HVDC converter stations). It is involved in qualifying the equipment and conducting the detailed technical studies for project teams.

Within the CNER organisation, several departments are involved in offshore grid connection and interconnector projects.

The tasks and prerogatives of the CNER teams are mainly to:

1. Guarantee management of assets and methods for RTE’s offshore substations, cable links, and converter stations (requirements, reference frameworks, lessons-learnt, and cross-departmental events).
2. Provide technical expertise support to Project and Maintenance teams during the EPCIC and O&M tenders (both during preparation and execution).
3. Execute the Transmission Asset Management studies and support the maintenance teams during the execution of the O&M contracts.

In this context, the CNER teams are mainly involved in the following:

Prior to the consultation phases:

1. Responsible for the technical and functional specifications of RTE’s transmission assets (offshore substations, export cable, converter stations): drafting, improving, and updating the technical specifications for client requirements (ERS) across the board within the CNER’s technical teams and in consultation with other RTE entities.
2. Contributors in the preparation of technical tender deliverables (excluding ERS specifications).
3. Support the DIIREM teams for the provision of technical data and the technical follow-up and verification of surveys.

During the EPCIC and O&M consultation phases:

1. Responsible for the technical analysis and for rating the bids of EPCIC and O&M candidates.
2. Contributors in analysing the bids on issues managed by other RTE entities.

During the EPCIC offshore substation and O&M contract performance phases:

1. Responsible for technical analysis of deliverables produced by contractors.
2. Contributors to support the contracting authority on issues managed by other RTE entities.

Role Definition

The Offshore Substation SCADA & Control System Engineer is responsible for the specification over the offshore substations Control Systems domains.

The expert also handles the specifications for secondary systems on the offshore platform, such as video surveillance, alarm systems, passenger announcement systems, maritime and aerial beacon systems, radio systems, and weather stations.

Within their areas of expertise, the Offshore Substation SCADA & Control System Engineer:

1. Writes and updates the technical repository for offshore stations.
2. Delivers specifications for all projects initiated by RTE.
3. Participates in the technical evaluation of calls for tender issued by RTE.
4. Participates in monitoring contract execution and compliance with specifications.
5. Coordinates with other experts from CNER.
6. Facilitates coordination with experts from the CNER Control & Protection Department.
7. Coordinates with experts from RTE’s IT & Telecom Department.

The Offshore Substation SCADA & Control System Engineer is coordinated by the Poseidon SCADA and Control System Leader and reports to the Poseidon head of division.

Deliverables:

1. Technical specifications (Employer Requirement Specifications)
2. Technical tender evaluations
3. Coordination with other departments (HV, LV, C&P DCCL, IT DSIT, DIIREM)
4. Meeting coordination and reporting (MoM)

Qualification

1. 5Y+ Experience in Industrial Control Systems or Control & Protections Engineering.
2. 5Y+ Experience in Engineering, Construction, Installation, Commissioning, Operation, and Maintenance of Offshore Substations (or offshore platforms as a less-noted alternative).
3. Proven track record with Offshore Platforms either on Client side, EPCIC contractors, HV OIMs, or Offshore O&M.
4. Experience within European TSO or Offshore Wind Farm Developer is a plus but not a must.
5. Demonstrated ability to collaborate in a team.
6. French: required to communicate in written French (e-mails, deliverables). Speaking is a plus but not a must.
7. English: project deliverables / project language is English.

Conditions

Planning:

This is a full-time position, onboarded in the POSEIDON team. The number of projects is steadily growing, and there can be opportunities for extension in time.

Other Information

1. Duration: 12 months (extendable) – Long term opportunity
2. Type of contract: Permanent or Contractor
3. Seniority level: Senior Engineer
4. Type of project: Offshore Wind Farm
5. Countries: France
6. Location: Paris Area