Senior or Lead Automation Engineer -Energy Chennai

Company DescriptionRamboll in IndiaWith over 1,000 experts across five offices in India, Ramboll delivers innovative solutions across diverse markets including Buildings, Transport, Planning & Urban Design, Water, Environment & Health, and Energy. Founded in Denmark, Ramboll is a people-first organization committed to creating sustainable impact through collaboration and innovation.

Inviting bright mindsDo you want to push the boundaries of your profession and develop your excellence in an open, collaborative and empowering culture? We work to create a sustainable future and our inspiring projects and innovative solutions aim to set the standard among our peers. You will join a global company that has been growing successfully since its founding in 1945. Together, we lead and leave a positive impact on societies, companies and people around the world.

You will join our Automation and Communication departmentAs the SCADA or Automation Senior, you are part of an exceptional technical environment with passionate colleagues in Denmark and Chennai. The department is highly experienced and delivers engineering and consultancy services globally within the energy sector for projects around the world.

We are seeking a senior engineer to lead vendor-independent automation solutions across multiple industries—including low‑carbon and green industry projects such as carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) and Power‑to‑X (PtX)—covering the full lifecycle from concept to handover. , Siemens, ABB, Emerson DeltaV, Yokogawa) while maintaining platform independence.

Strong experience with data‑centric delivery using AVEVA Engineering is requiredJob DescriptionTechnical leadership and deliveryLead automation strategy, architecture, and design across all phases: early concept, feasibility, Pre‑Front‑End Engineering Design (Pre‑FEED), Front‑End Engineering Design (FEED), detailed FEED, detailed engineering, Factory Acceptance Test (FAT), integrated Factory Acceptance Test (iFAT), Site Acceptance Test (SAT).

Produce key specifications and deliverables: User

Requirements Specification (URS), Basis of Design (BOD), control philosophy, alarm philosophy aligned to International Society of Automation (ISA) 18.2 and Engineering Equipment and Materials Users Association (EEMUA) 191, Safety

Requirements Specification (SRS) for Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS), Functional Design Specification (FDS), Software Design Specification (SDS), Cause and Effect (C&E) matrices, Input/Output (I/O) lists, instrument index, interface specifications, and test plans. Develop SCADA/DCS/PLC architectures, OT network topologies, and cybersecurity controls; define Operational Technology/Information Technology (OT/IT) demarcation and data flows.

Guide technology selection with vendor‑agnostic trade‑off analyses; prepare Requests for Quotation (RFQs), conduct technical bid evaluations, and manage vendor clarifications and deviations. Oversee panel and hardware design, I/O allocation, wiring topologies, segregation and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), power and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) sizing, and hazardous area compliance.

, one‑out‑of‑two (1oo2), two‑out‑of‑three (2oo3)), shutdown hierarchy, bypass/override management, proof‑testing, and integration with process control and safety systems. Electrical and power: integration of Motor Control Centers (MCCs), Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), soft starters, generator controls, Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS), switchgear, Direct Current (DC) and UPS systems, Electrical Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (eSCADA).

Power Management System (PMS) and Energy Management System (EMS): load shedding, load sharing, black start, islanding, synchronization, and power quality. Substation Automation System (SAS) and protection: Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) and relays, International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61850 communications (Manufacturing Message Specification (MMS), Generic Object Oriented Substation Event (GOOSE), and Sampled Values (SV)).

Smart relays and micro‑PLC devices: local logic, packaged equipment controls, and maintainable documentation.

Telecom systems: Public Address and General Alarm (PAGA), Closed‑Circuit Television (CCTV), access control, time services via Network Time Protocol (NTP)/Precision Time Protocol (PTP) with Global Positioning System (GPS) clocks, radio (Ultra High Frequency (UHF)/Very High Frequency (VHF)), microwave, fiber, and enterprise voice (Private Automatic Branch Exchange (PABX)/Internet Protocol (IP) telephony); alignment with Network Management Systems (NMS) and Quality of Service (QoS).

Interfaces and protocols: Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA), Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT), Modbus Transmission Control Protocol (Modbus TCP)/Modbus Remote Terminal Unit (Modbus RTU), EtherNet Industrial Protocol (EtherNet/IP), Process Field Network (PROFINET), Process Field Bus (PROFIBUS), Distributed Network Protocol 3 (DNP3), IEC 60870‑5‑104, IEC 61850.

Architecture, redundancy, and safety integrityHigh‑availability platforms: controller/server redundancy (hot/warm standby), historian clustering, failover Human–Machine Interface (HMI) servers, redundant I/O and storage. , 2oo3, 2oo4).

Safety Integrity Level (SIL) engineering: lead SIL determination and verification, design Safety Instrumented Functions (SIFs), calculate Average Probability of Failure on Demand (PFDavg), specify proof‑test intervals, align with IEC 61511/IEC 61508.

Network resilience: segmented Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs), demilitarized zones (DMZs), firewalls, and redundancy using Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), Parallel Redundancy Protocol (PRP), and High‑availability Seamless Redundancy (HSR).

Functional safety and cybersecurityApply IEC 61511/IEC 61508 across the safety lifecycle; lead Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOP), Hazard Identification (HAZID), Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA), SIL determination/verification, and SRS development. Implement IEC 62443 cybersecurity controls; conduct risk assessments, zoning, compliance testing, including verification during FAT/iFAT/SAT.

Data‑centric and digital delivery (AVEVA Engineering)Deliver projects using AVEVA Engineering for data‑centric execution: class libraries, tag governance, specifications, datasheets, and cross‑discipline registers (instruments, I/O, cables, equipment). , AVEVA/OSIsoft Plant Information (PI) System), and document control; drive quality through single‑source‑of‑truth. Establish model‑based standards, templates, and rules for automatic deliverable generation and change control.

Client engagement and project managementDefine scope, schedule, budget, resource plans, and risk registers; manage change and ensure Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC). Lead design workshops, vendor meetings, and multi‑discipline coordination; mentor junior engineers; perform technical reviews.

Dedicated capabilities for FAT, iFAT, and SATStrategy and planningDefine verification strategy, acceptance criteria, and traceability from URS/BOD through FDS/SDS to test protocols, including process, safety (SIS/ESD/FGS/HIPPS), electrical/PMS/SAS, telecom, and cybersecurity controls. Environment preparationBuild test environments with virtualized controllers and HMIs, simulators, hardware‑in‑the‑loop, and representative OT networks (VLANs, firewalls, NTP/PTP, RSTP/PRP/HSR).

ExecutionLead or witness FAT at vendor facilities, integrated FAT with third‑party packages, and SAT onsite, including:FGS/ESD/HIPPS: detector/logic testing, voting, trip propagation, bypass management, cause‑and‑effect validation, proof‑tests. Electrical/PMS/SAS: relay schemes, IEC 61850 MMS/GOOSE messaging, load shedding/restoration, synchronization/islanding/black start, MCC/VFD and breaker interlocks.

Telecom: PAGA priorities, alarm routing, CCTV integration, time synchronization, network failover. 2), historian/reporting integrity, data quality. Safety, cybersecurity, and closureExecute proof testing for SIS/ESD/FGS; verify SIL targets; perform cybersecurity hardening checks (IEC 62443); manage non‑conformances and punch lists; produce test records, redlines, as‑built updates, and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) training materials; facilitate client sign‑off.

Green industries and decarbonization domain expertiseCarbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS)Control and safety for amine‑based and alternative solvent absorbers/strippers, reboilers, solvent reclaiming, carbon dioxide (CO2) compression, dehydration, and pipeline or sequestration interfaces.

Anti‑surge and performance control for compressors; leak detection and emergency shutdown integration; emissions monitoring and Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) considerations. Power‑to‑X (PtX) and hydrogenControl strategies for electrolyzers (Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) and alkaline), Balance of Plant (BOP) systems (deionized water, hydrogen purification, nitrogen purge, cooling), storage and pressure control, and blending.

Downstream synthesis controls and interlocks: green ammonia (NH3), methanol (MeOH), synthetic fuels including Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and e‑fuels; batch/sequence control (ISA‑88) where applicable. Renewable and efficient energy systemsIntegration with renewable generation and microgrids: wind, solar Photovoltaic (PV), Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), heat pumps, district heating/cooling, and waste‑heat recovery; coordination via PMS/EMS and SCADA.

, explosive atmospheres (ATEX)), relevant National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and American Petroleum Institute (API) practices; SIL application to hydrogen/oxygen service. Sustainability and reporting awareness: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) inputs, greenhouse gas (GHG) data integration to historians/reporting.

Core deliverables by phaseEarly concept and feasibilityAutomation strategy and high‑level architecture spanning SCADA/DCS/PLC, safety (SIS/ESD/FGS/HIPPS), electrical/PMS/SAS, telecom; technology roadmap; brownfield migration assessment; Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimates; risk and opportunity register; decarbonization options screening (CCUS/PtX integration points).

Pre‑FEED and FEEDURS/BOD; control, alarm, Fire and Gas, and shutdown philosophies; CCUS/PtX process control concept and interlocks; C&E matrices; SRS for SIS; FDS/SDS; OT network architecture; cybersecurity concept (IEC 62443); I/O lists; interface specifications; Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and Operating Expenditure (OPEX) inputs; schedule inputs.

, PI System); batch control (ISA‑88); enterprise integration (ISA‑95); comprehensive FAT/SAT/commissioning procedures; AVEVA Engineering data model and deliverable automation. Execution and handoverVendor document reviews (including IED/relay settings and telecom), technical queries, site support, commissioning plans, O&M manuals, training materials, and as‑built documentation.

Qualifications10–15+ years in industrial automation and control across sectors such as water/wastewater, energy and power, chemicals, oil and gas (upstream/midstream/downstream), life sciences/pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, mining and metals, manufacturing, data centers, and green industries (CCUS, PtX, renewables). Proven end‑to‑end lifecycle experience from concept to commissioning on greenfield and brownfield projects, including migrations and modernizations.

Vendor‑agnostic engineering with strong hands‑on exposure to major platforms:DCS/PLC/SCADA: Siemens (PCS 7, Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) Portal, WinCC), ABB (800xA, Freelance), Emerson DeltaV (and DeltaV SIS), Yokogawa (CENTUM, ProSafe‑RS); plus experience with Rockwell Automation, Schneider Electric, Honeywell, GE, AVEVA/Wonderware, Inductive Automation Ignition, iFIX, and CIMPLICITY.

Safety and high‑integrity systems: Schneider Electric Triconex, HIMA (HiMax/HiQuad), Emerson DeltaV SIS, Yokogawa ProSafe‑RS, ABB 800xA High Integrity; TMR and voting architectures (1oo2, 2oo3). Electrical and protection: Substation Automation Systems (SAS) and protection relays including Siemens SIPROTEC, ABB Relion, GE Multilin, Schneider Electric MiCOM, and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL); IEC 61850 MMS/GOOSE/SV; load shedding and PMS designs.

Telecom and infrastructure: PAGA, CCTV, access control, PABX/IP telephony, UHF/VHF radio, GPS/NTP/PTP time services, microwave and fiber networks, and Network Management Systems (NMS). Communications and OT networking: EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, PROFIBUS, Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC UA, MQTT; utility protocols IEC 60870‑5‑104, DNP3, and IEC 61850; redundant architectures (RSTP/PRP/HSR), VLANs, and firewalls.

Historians and integration: AVEVA/OSIsoft Plant Information (PI) System; reports/dashboards; Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) integration (ISA‑95); batch control (ISA‑88). Data‑centric delivery toolsDemonstrated project delivery using AVEVA Engineering (class libraries, tag and document governance, specification automation, cross‑discipline registers, and digital thread integrations).

Experience with complementary tools such as Siemens COMOS, EPLAN, and AutoCAD Electrical is advantageous. Green industries experienceHands‑on control and safety design for CCUS and/or PtX projects (electrolyzers, ammonia/methanol/e‑fuels), renewable integration (PV, wind, BESS), and energy optimization via PMS/EMS.

Leadership in testing and commissioningProven planning and execution of FAT/iFAT/SAT for process, safety, electrical, and telecom systems; defect management, test evidence, and client witnessing. Education and certificationsBachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical, Instrumentation, Control, or Automation Engineering (or related). Preferred:Technischer Überwachungsverein (TÜV) Functional Safety Engineer/Professional (IEC 61511/IEC 61508).

ISA/IEC 62443 cybersecurity certificates. Project Management Professional (PMP) and/or Projects in Controlled Environments version 2 (PRINCE2). Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Industrial and/or Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP). , Siemens, ABB, Emerson, Yokogawa; safety systems such as Triconex or HIMA).

Key competenciesSystems thinker with strong specification, architecture, data‑centric delivery, and multi‑system integration skills; vendor‑independent mindset. Excellent technical writing and communication; ability to translate

requirements into buildable designs and testable criteria. Risk, quality, and change control management; cost/schedule awareness and commercial acumen. Team leadership and coaching; effective stakeholder alignment and constructive design reviews. Success metricsOn‑time, on‑budget delivery of lifecycle and data‑centric deliverables with low rework. Compliance with functional safety and cybersecurity

requirements; positive audit outcomes. Client satisfaction, repeat work, and successful vendor‑agnostic solutions. Effective mentorship and contributions to standards and best practices. Travel and work conditionsWillingness to travel for client meetings, vendor FAT/iFAT, site surveys, SAT. Ability to access industrial sites and adhere to Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS)

requirements.