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Freelance Substation Automation System Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Freelance Substation Automation System information

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$37.5K

$45.6K

$71K

How much do freelance substation automation system jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance substation automation system in the United States is $45,556.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,000.00 and $42,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Freelance Substation Automation System vs Substation Automation Engineer?

AspectFreelance Substation Automation SystemSubstation Automation Engineer
CredentialsVaries; often self-taught or with specialized certificationsBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, certifications like IEEE or CIGRE
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based, remote or on-siteTypically employed by utilities or engineering firms, on-site or office-based
Industry UsageFreelance projects, consulting, custom solutionsDesign, implementation, and maintenance of automation systems

Freelance Substation Automation Systems focus on independent project work, often requiring self-directed skills and certifications. Substation Automation Engineers are employed by organizations to design and maintain automation systems, usually with formal education and industry certifications. Both roles are essential in the power industry but differ mainly in employment type and scope of work.

What does a Freelance Substation Automation System professional do?

A Freelance Substation Automation System professional specializes in designing, implementing, configuring, and maintaining automation solutions for electrical substations. Their work often involves integrating hardware and software to monitor, control, and protect power systems, ensuring reliability and efficiency. They may work with protocols like IEC 61850, configure protection relays, and assist utilities or industrial clients with remote monitoring and diagnostics. As freelancers, they typically handle multiple projects and clients, providing flexible expertise on a contract basis.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance professionals working in Substation Automation Systems, and how can they be managed?

Freelance professionals in Substation Automation Systems often encounter challenges such as coordinating with remote teams, managing diverse project requirements from multiple clients, and staying updated with evolving industry standards and technologies. Effective communication and proactive scheduling are essential for collaborating with utility engineers, protection specialists, and IT teams. Additionally, investing time in continuous learning and certification can help freelancers remain competitive and deliver high-quality automation solutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Freelance Substation Automation System Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Substation Automation System Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, power systems, and automation, usually supported by a relevant degree and experience in substation projects. Familiarity with SCADA systems, IEC 61850 protocols, PLC programming, and certifications like PMP or vendor-specific credentials are highly valued. Strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and adaptability help freelancers work independently and collaborate with clients remotely. These skills and qualifications are crucial for delivering reliable automation solutions, ensuring system integrity, and meeting client expectations in a specialized and evolving field.
More about Freelance Substation Automation System jobs
What cities are hiring for Freelance Substation Automation System jobs? Cities with the most Freelance Substation Automation System job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Substation Automation System jobs? The most popular types of Substation Automation System jobs are:
What states have the most Freelance Substation Automation System jobs? States with the most job openings for Freelance Substation Automation System jobs include:
Infographic showing various Freelance Substation Automation System job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,556 per year, or $21.9 per hour.

High Voltage Substation Automation Systems Engineer

Siemens Energy, Inc.

Orlando, FL • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago


Siemens Energy rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

114th of 487 rated machine equipment manufacturers


Job description

A Snapshot of Your Day
Join our Grid Automation Engineering Competence Center and take the lead in shaping high-voltage substation automation projects across the U.S. market. You'll design advanced control systems, configure and test them hands-on, and implement robust Operational Technology Cybersecurity measures that keep our infrastructure secure. Working with platforms like Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) and Zenon, you'll apply your deep knowledge of U.S. utility practices and industry standards such as International Electromechanical Commission (IEC) 61850 and North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP). Every day, you'll make decisions that ensure secure, compliant, and technically sound automation solutions - directly contributing to business growth in the Americas region.
How You'll Make an Impact
  • Lead the technical design of control systems for high-voltage substation automation projects, aligning with U.S. utility and Independent Power Producer (IPP) engineering practices.
  • Develop concept diagrams and functional specifications for Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs), Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs), and communication interfaces, ensuring compliance with IEC 61850, Distributed Network Protocol 3 (DNP3), and NERC CIP.
  • Configure, test, and commission Remote Terminal Unit (RTU), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), and HMI systems using SEL Real-Time Automation Controller (RTAC) and GE platforms, performing Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT).
  • Integrate subsystems and IEDs seamlessly within automation systems, managing SCADA communication gateways for Regional Control Center (RCC)/Substation Control Center (SCC) integration.
  • Implement OT cybersecurity measures and network architectures, including Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs), routing, firewalls, redundancy protocols - Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), Parallel Redundancy Protocol (PRP), and High-Availability Seamless Redundancy (HSR), documented per IEC 62443.
What You Bring
  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, automation engineering, or a related technical field.
  • 5+ years' experience engineering HMI/SCADA systems for high-voltage substation projects within the U.S. energy sector.
  • Proven ability to manage large or complex engineering projects with limited oversight.
  • Expertise in Substation Automation System (SAS) platforms, HV substation control/protection, IEC 61850, DNP3, OT networking, OT cybersecurity, and digital substations.
  • Proficiency with SEL RTAC platforms, Zenon COPA-DATA, IED configuration tools, and network device configuration.
  • Willing to travel 20% domestically.
Applicants must be legally authorized for employment in the United States without need for current or future employer-sponsored work authorization. Siemens Energy employees with current visa sponsorship may be eligible for internal transfers.
About the Team
Grid Technologies
Our Grid Automation Engineering Competence Center is at the heart of driving secure, innovative, and compliant automation solutions for the Americas region. We partner closely with utilities and IPPs to deliver control systems that meet demanding technical specifications while supporting the broader mission of grid modernization. By combining deep technical expertise and collaborative teamwork, we support business continuity and expand engineering capabilities in this critical market segment. Together, we advance the energy transition by ensuring high-resilience, future-ready substations.
Who is Siemens Energy?
At Siemens Energy, we are more than just an energy technology company. With ~100,000 dedicated employees in more than 90 countries, we develop the energy systems of the future, ensuring that the growing energy demand of the global community is met reliably and sustainably. The technologies created in our research departments and factories drive the energy transition and provide the base for one sixth of the world's electricity generation.
Our global team is committed to making sustainable, reliable, and affordable energy a reality by pushing the boundaries of what is possible. We uphold a 150-year legacy of innovation that encourages our search for people who will support our focus on decarbonization, new technologies, and energy transformation.
Find out how you can make a difference at Siemens Energy: https://www.siemens-energy.com/employeevideo
Rewards
  • Career growth and development opportunities; supportive work culture
  • Company paid Health and wellness benefits
  • Paid Time Off and paid holidays
  • 401K savings plan with company match
  • Family building benefits
  • Parental leave
https://jobs.siemens-energy.com/jobs

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, transgender, sex stereotyping, order of protection status, protected veteran or military status, or an unfavorable discharge from military service, and other categories protected by federal, state or local law.
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