Automation Engineer

NES Group Ltd; Stafford; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

NES Fircroft, a global engineering staffing provider, is seeking an Automation Engineer (Inside IR35) to join a dedicated protection settings team in Stafford. The role focuses on developing and reviewing protection settings for various transformer and line protection schemes, ensuring alignment with National Grid requirements.

The successful candidate will perform short-circuit studies, use PowerFactory for fault level analysis, and contribute to grid integration and offshore projects within a

Qualifications

• Degree in power electrical engineering or higher from an accredited university.
• Experience in protection devices and schemes for transmission/substation systems.
• Experience with protection settings calculations and IEC60909/methods is preferred.
• Fluent written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Prepare HV protection settings calculations for circuit elements (diff, distance, busbar protections).
• Perform short-circuit fault level calculations per IEC60909 for symmetric and asymmetric faults.
• Use DIgSILENT PowerFactory for fault level studies and protection grading reports.
• Conduct arc-flash analysis using Caneco or equivalent tools.
• Create energisation and switching programs for NSR/automatic reclosure sequences.
• Provide advisory input on protection functionality to project and tender teams.
• Collaborate with internal teams and mentor junior engineers.

Skills

Protection settings

Protection coordination

Short circuit analysis

National Grid requirements

Power system protection knowledge

Education

Power Electrical Engineering Bachelor's degree

Tools

DIgSILENT PowerFactory

Alpi Caneco BT

Job description

Role - Automation Engineer (Inside IR35)

Location - Stafford

Must have

• Development and review of protection settings for: Distance Protection, Differential Protection, Overcurrent Protection, Earth Fault Protection, Busbar Protection, Transformer Protection, Generator Protection, Breaker Failure Protection
• National Grid requirements
• National Grid Settings Authorisation certification
• Protection Coordination Studies
• Short Circuit AnalysisNice to have
• Arc Flash Studies
• Grid Stability
• HVDC Connections
• Renewable Integration
• Witness testing and site commissioning support.

The Grid System Integration (GSI) business delivers a wide range of projects associated with the bulk transmission of electrical power and management of electrical power grids. These projects typically include:

• New high voltage transmission substations
• Expansion and reinforcement of existing transmission substations and networks
• Onshore and Offshore substations to facilitate windfarm connections and other renewable technologies.
• Network compensation and stability projects
• Energy storage projects

The candidate will be part of a small yet diverse and sought-after team of Protection Settings Engineers working as part of the larger team of engineers to deliver High Voltage AC & DC substations and Offshore windfarms, battery energy storage and green hydrogen production opportunities to support the Green Energy Transition.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Prepare high voltage protection settings calculations e.g. low impedance feeder differential and distance protections, transformer biased differential protections, and low impedance busbar protection calculations or high impedance busbar protection circulating current calculations.
• Perform short-circuit fault level calculations manually to IEC60909 standard for symmetrical and unsymmetrical faults using sequence components
• Use power system analysis software (e.g., DIgSILENT PowerFactory) for fault level studies and protection grading/selectivity reports.
• Conduct arc-flash analysis using tools such as Alpi Caneco BT for LVAC 400V systems.
• Prepare first-time energisation circuit switching programs and automatic reclosure switching sequence reports
• Technical analysis of employer’s requirements to define and optimise protection functionality selection
• Provide advisory support to project and tendering teams on protection related matters
• Apply judgment to propose different solutions outside set parameters with guidance.
• Collaborate across internal teams to achieve results
• Actively participate in business improvement initiatives within the engineering department
• Offer support and mentorship to junior engineers in enhancing their professional engineering competencies.

Required Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Power Electrical Engineering Bachelor's degree (or higher) from an accredited university
• Design experience within the Electricity Transmission and Distribution industry
• Solid understanding of protection device and scheme principle of operation.
• Previous use of a power system analysis and modelling software and Arc-flash analysis software preferred
• Fluent oral and written English.
• Ability to analyse and resolve problems.
• Ability to plan and execute to very tight delivery schedules.
• While previous experience is not compulsory, it is preferable if the candidate has a minimum of 7 years’ experience in AC substation engineering

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients