Senior Power Line Communication Engineer

This full-time, on-site position based in Islāmābād, Pakistan, seeks a Power Line Communication (PLC) Engineer with expertise in designing, implementing, and optimizing power line communication networks for utility and industrial applications. The role focuses on ensuring reliable data transmission over existing electrical power infrastructure, supporting communication distances of 1,000 meters or more. The engineer will work on evaluating system requirements, developing network architectures, configuring and testing PLC devices, and integrating telecommunications and VoIP solutions as needed. Collaboration with cross-functional teams, diagnosing communication issues, performing field measurements, and preparing technical documentation are key daily activities. The role also emphasizes improving system performance, enhancing network resilience, and maintaining compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

- Design and implement industrial power-line communication networks utilizing existing electrical cables as the data transmission medium. Develop solutions capable of communicating with multiple remote devices over distances exceeding 1,000 meters, considering cable characteristics and network conditions.
- Evaluate and select appropriate narrowband or broadband PLC technologies and industrial power-line modems based on application needs. Design communication architectures including point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, and multidrop networks.
- Analyze signal attenuation, electrical noise, impedance mismatches, phase coupling, and specify suitable PLC modems, signal couplers, repeaters, filters, surge protection, and isolation components to ensure reliable communication across electrical distribution panels, feeders, industrial equipment, and remote installations.
- Integrate PLC systems with industrial automation equipment such as Siemens, Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation, Schneider Electric, ABB PLC platforms, SCADA systems, distributed control systems (DCS), HMIs, RTUs, IEDs, and industrial gateways.
- Configure communication interfaces including RS-485, RS-232, Ethernet, and implement industrial protocols like Modbus RTU/TCP, DNP3, and IEC 60870-5-104 to facilitate reliable data exchange between field devices and central control systems.
- Develop telemetry solutions for monitoring voltage, current, energy consumption, equipment status, alarms, and process parameters. Troubleshoot communication failures and optimize end-to-end system performance.
- Design and validate long-distance communication solutions addressing device addressing, polling, network scheduling, error detection, retries, and recovery mechanisms. Evaluate network performance under varying loads, cable lengths, branching, and noise conditions.
- Conduct laboratory testing, site surveys, feasibility studies, and proof-of-concept demonstrations. Measure communication distance, throughput, latency, packet error rates, and availability under realistic electrical loading and electromagnetic interference.
- Prepare network diagrams, electrical drawings, equipment specifications, test procedures, commissioning reports, and troubleshooting documentation. Lead installation, commissioning, site acceptance testing, and performance validation.
- Ensure compliance with electrical safety standards and industrial installation requirements. Apply electrical isolation, surge protection, grounding, and coupling best practices. Implement cybersecurity measures such as authentication, encryption, network segmentation, and access controls. Safely integrate communication equipment with energized or hazardous electrical infrastructure following approved procedures.

Required Qualifications

- Proven expertise in industrial Power Line Communication technology, modem architecture, and long-distance data transmission exceeding 1 km.
- Strong knowledge of multi-node and point-to-multipoint communication systems within industrial electrical distribution networks (single-phase and three-phase).
- Experience with PLC signal coupling, filtering, impedance matching, repeaters, and noise suppression techniques.
- Proficiency in industrial automation, SCADA, telemetry, RTUs, remote monitoring, and relevant communication protocols including Modbus RTU/TCP.
- Familiarity with serial and Ethernet communication interfaces.
- Demonstrated ability in communication performance testing, field troubleshooting, industrial network architecture, system integration, and commissioning.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits

The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer capable of managing the entire solution lifecycle—from technology selection and network design to laboratory validation, field deployment, SCADA integration, and final commissioning. The primary objective is to deliver a robust, scalable, and industrial-grade communication solution that leverages existing electrical power lines to connect multiple remote devices over distances of 1,000 meters or more, fully integrated with PLC, SCADA, and telemetry systems. This role offers the opportunity to work on cutting-edge industrial communication challenges in a dynamic environment.