Senior Design Protection & Control Engineer
Location: West Midlands, England
Sector: Electricity Transmission and High Voltage Substations
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Salary: £50,000 – £75,000 per annum (DOE)
About the Company
Our client is a leading infrastructure services provider delivering essential energy solutions across the UK. Operating across electricity transmission and distribution, renewable energy, EV infrastructure, metering, and decarbonisation, the business provides end-to-end design, build, and commissioning services for high-voltage substations and transmission assets. The organisation is safety-first, client-focused, and committed to delivering reliable infrastructure that supports everyday life.
Role Overview
The Senior Design Protection and Control Engineer will take ownership of the full protection and control design lifecycle for major UK transmission and infrastructure projects. The role involves shaping high-voltage protection and control systems, working closely with design leads and multidisciplinary teams to deliver compliant, efficient solutions from concept through to construction and commissioning support.
Key Responsibilities
* Own the full protection and control design process from concept through to construction-ready design, ensuring all outputs meet required quality standards and client expectations
* Collaborate with HV plant, cables, civils, and project management teams to streamline delivery, while building and maintaining strong working relationships with clients and internal stakeholders
* Plan design resources effectively, mentor and technically support junior engineers, and provide leadership across the protection and control discipline
* Create, review, and approve tender specifications, AC/DC schematics, protection diagrams, detailed drawings, and third-party design submissions
* Specify protection relays, CTs, VTs, and associated equipment, carry out protection grading studies, produce relay settings, and support commissioning plans including attendance at panel and technical review meetings
Requirements
* Degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline, with a minimum of 8 years’ experience in electrical design including at least 4 years on UK transmission projects such as NGET or SSEN
* In-depth knowledge of high-voltage substations ranging from 132kV to 400kV, UK standards, and hands-on experience with protection relays, CT and VT sizing, and AC/DC schematic design
* Proficiency in ETAP and DIgSILENT, with working familiarity of IEC 61850, DNP3, and Modbus communications
* Strong leadership capability, safety-first mindset, high attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects within a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment
What’s on Offer
* Matched or contributory pension scheme, life assurance, online GP service, employee assistance programme, cycle to work scheme, salary finance and give-as-you-earn schemes
* Access to the My Rewards portal providing thousands of retail discounts, alongside enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave, plus a reward and recognition scheme
* Company car and fuel card with a choice of EV and hybrid vehicles, salary sacrifice EV and hybrid car scheme, and company van or vehicle with fuel card for business use
* Private healthcare and healthcare cash plan, discretionary bonus scheme, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, and a recommend-a-friend reward scheme