Lead Power System Engineer (Protection & Control)

Job Description Summary

You will provide technical guidance & leadership across tendering, design, and delivery of AIS & GIS substation projects (up to 400 kV), as well as asset level protection for (15 kV range), generation protection, and LV protection and will contribute to the overall protection & control strategy with a safety critical mindset.

This is a technical role involving close collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams (design & simulation, HV & MV Plant, Civil, Cable, CAD, FAT, and Commissioning) to specify, design, and validate Control & Relay Panels for MVAC / LVAC / LVDC systems, and Excitation & Synchronization systems for Energy, Marine, Defence and Industrial applications.

Job Description

Roles and Responsibilities

• Have prior expertise in electrical protection, control panel engineering, and excitation systems for substations and power generation and distribution equipment.
• Provide guidance & technical ownership of projects, producing detailed specifications, site visit reports, FDSs, circuit diagrams, relay configurations, setting reports, equipment schedules, I/O lists, cabling, and MVAC/LVAC/LVDC load calculations, fault level & arc flash.
• Undertake relay setting calculations, CT/VT sizing, and configuration/testing of numerical relays (e.g., GE MiCOM, Siemens Siprotec, ABB Rex)
• Design and review Protection SLDs, Key Line Diagrams, General Arrangements, and Control & Protection schematics for transformers, overheads lines, ground cables, busbars, bus sections, bus couplers, and feeder bays
• Provide project technical leadership for design reviews, tender support, man-hour estimation, and risk management across multi-region projects.
• Support FAT, SAT, and site commissioning activities for control, relay, and excitation panels, including synchronization of synchronous generators with national grids.
• Ensure designs comply with relevant health & safety, national/international standards (as example IEC 61850, IEC 60870-5-103, Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP/IP), and contract specifications.
• Support on-time delivery, cost, and quality targets, coordinating with HV Plant, Civil, Cable, CAD, FAT, and Commissioning teams.
• Provide technical support to Project Managers Application and Lead Engineers in managing project deliverables and variations.
• Mentor and develop graduate and junior engineers through structured technical guidance in protection design, relay configuration, testing, and commissioning.

Required Qualifications

• Able to achieve UK security clearance, and willing to travel for short term working.
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Power Systems or related technical subject.
• Experience with eTAP or similar to perform protection co-ordination studies, AC/DC load flow, fault level, arc flash etc.
• Hands-on experience with relay testing kits (e.g., OMICRON CMC) and panel design tools (EPLAN Electric P8 and/or AutoCAD).

Desired Characteristics

• Working to or achieved CEng accreditation.
• Knowledge of protection and control system design, testing, and commissioning for synchronous machines.
• Experience with communication protocol to ensure design comply with IEC 61850, IEC 60870-5-103, Modbus RTU/TCP.
• Strong commercial and contractual awareness: scope definition, tender support, budgeting, on-site/remote support for Field Service Engineers and contract close-out.
• Demonstrated leadership, and the ability to multi-task across a variety of projects, adapting to changing circumstances and ambiguity.
• Well organised, good time management and excellent communication and report-writing skills, tailored to technical and commercial audiences.

You can expect from us

• Flexible working arrangements and an attractive overall compensation package
• Company pension contribution; income protection; private health insurance; life assurance, healthy lifestyle account
• Flexible benefits you can personalise and 34 days’ vacation including national holidays.

Additional Information

Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes