Protection and controls engineer

Protection & Control Engineer – HV Substations & BESS (EPC Projects)

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

Reports to: Lead Electrical Engineer / Engineering Manager

Sector: EPC | Power Systems | Energy Storage | Grid Connections

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Protection & Control Engineer to play a key role in the design and delivery of protection, control, and SCADA systems for high-voltage substations and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects across the UK.

Working within a multidisciplinary EPC delivery team, you will develop and integrate protection and control solutions from concept through to commissioning, ensuring the safe, reliable, and compliant operation of grid-connected assets.

This position requires a strong background in electrical protection design, a solid understanding of the construction and commissioning environment, and the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, construction, procurement, and commissioning teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead or support the design and development of protection and control systems for HV substations (11–400kV) and grid‑scale BESS projects.
• Produce, review, and approve protection schematics, single‑line diagrams (SLDs), interlocking diagrams, wiring diagrams, relay setting calculations, and SCADA I/O schedules.
• Carry out protection coordination studies, grading studies, and relay settings calculations in accordance with DNO, TO, and NGESO requirements.
• Specify and integrate protection relays, control panels, RTUs, and SCADA systems into overall substation and BESS control architectures.
• Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), including relay configuration and testing activities.
• Work closely with internal engineering, procurement, and construction teams to ensure designs are practical, cost‑effective, and compliant with client specifications and industry standards.
• Liaise with DNOs, Transmission Owners (TOs), and NGESO to obtain design approvals, demonstrate Grid Code compliance, and coordinate protection submissions.
• Provide technical support throughout construction and commissioning, resolving design issues and ensuring the correct implementation of protection and control schemes.
• Manage engineering documentation and deliverables using Procore or equivalent EPC project management platforms.
• Contribute to the continual improvement of engineering standards, design processes, and project delivery methodologies.
• Experience with BESS control systems, including EMS/PCS integration, interface design, and Grid Code compliance testing.
• Knowledge of functional safety, interlocking logic, and control philosophy documentation.
• Experience using Procore or similar digital project collaboration platforms such as BIM 360 or Aconex.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, or actively working towards professional registration through the IET or an equivalent institution.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• The opportunity to work on cutting‑edge renewable energy, HV infrastructure, and grid‑scale BESS projects that are supporting the UK's transition to Net Zero.
• Ongoing investment in professional development, technical training, and chartership support.
• A collaborative, forward‑thinking environment within a rapidly growing EPC organisation delivering critical energy infrastructure projects.