Senior/Lead Commissioning Engineer
75k - 85k
UK based travel
Responsibilities:
Lead the commissioning and testing of high-voltage systems, ensuring all works are completed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with client and industry standards.
Act as the technical authority on HV testing and commissioning activities - providing expert guidance on complex protection, control, and HV equipment systems.
Plan, execute, and document pre-commissioning and commissioning phases for substations, transformers, switchgear, and protection systems.
Oversee system energisation and handover, ensuring the delivery of a fully tested, operational, and compliant installation ready for client acceptance.
Conduct and interpret advanced HV testing, including:
Primary and secondary injection testing of protection relays
Contact resistance (Ductor) and insulation resistance tests
AC dielectric withstand tests
CT/VT ratio, polarity, and burden checks
End-to-end scheme verification and functional testing
Transformer ratio, winding resistance, and polarity tests
Provide technical input during FAT, SAT, and site commissioning - identifying design or installation issues early and implementing robust corrective actions.
Ensure all test results, commissioning schedules, and handover documentation are accurately maintained, signed off, and issued in accordance with project requirements.
Champion safety excellence on site by maintaining and enforcing rigorous Health & Safety standards and ensuring all documentation is compliant and up to date.
Collaborate with design and protection engineers to review relay settings, logic configurations, and protection coordination prior to testing and energisation.
Support training and technical development of junior engineers and technicians through knowledge sharing and on-site mentoring.
Skills, Experience, and Qualifications
HNC/HND or Degree in Electrical or Power Engineering.
Minimum 8-10 years' experience in high-voltage testing and commissioning, ideally within the Power Transmission, Distribution, or Utilities sectors.
Proven expertise in HV substation commissioning (up to and including 132kV or higher).
Strong working knowledge of protection schemes, control systems, and primary plant equipment (switchgear, transformers, CTs/VTs, circuit breakers).
Hands-on experience with major OEM protection relays (e.g. Siemens, GE, Schneider, ABB, SEL) including configuration, settings, and testing.
Skilled in analysing test data, identifying root causes of faults, and implementing practical engineering solutions.
Experienced in performing or witnessing FAT, SAT, and system energisation on live HV networks.
High attention to detail, strong technical reporting and documentation capability.
Excellent communication and coordination skills when interfacing with clients, network operators, and project teams.
Full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel to various project sites as required