Alex Machado has over a decade of engineering experience across utility and vendor environments, with expertise in substation automation, grid modernization, IEC 61850 communications, operational technology (OT) networks, Python-based engineering automation, and cybersecurity. His utility background comes from Southern California Edison (SCE), while his vendor experience comes from Siemens, where he configured, tested, and validated substation automation systems using IEC 61850 communication services, including MMS, GOOSE messaging, and Sampled Values.

Alex spent more than six years at SCE, beginning his career as a Grid Data Analyst analyzing data from smart meters, protective relays, fault recorders, and data concentrators to support grid operations and improve system visibility. He later moved into a Substation Automation Engineer role, designing resilient substation network architectures, validating IEC 61850 interoperability among multi-vendor intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), and commissioning advanced automation systems for next-generation grid infrastructure. He also contributed to proof-of-concept work on virtualized protection relay systems and built expertise in substation cybersecurity through penetration testing initiatives.

Following SCE, Alex joined Siemens as a Systems/Cybersecurity Engineer within the Customer Solutions and Innovations group, evaluating and testing emerging substation hardware, software, and cloud-based technologies for utility and industrial customers. His work included using the Siemens SICAM A8000 as a remote terminal unit to validate multi-vendor integration for cloud-based applications leveraging IEC 61850 to aggregate data from IEDs. He also commissioned power plant controller projects, led OT penetration testing in collaboration with universities, and tested encrypted MMS communications using certificates within a public key infrastructure.

At Tesco Automation, Alex applies his multidisciplinary experience in substation automation, networks, cybersecurity, and software development to design secure, reliable, and innovative solutions that address complex power system challenges and support grid modernization.