Digital Substation: Protection & Control Engineer

SSEN Transmission; Inverness; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car or car allowance

Flexible working

Performance bonus

Private healthcare discounts

Cycle to Work scheme

Maternity & adoption pay

Paternity leave

Job summary

SSEN Transmission is seeking a Digital Substation Protection, Automation and Control (PAC) Engineer to help build a smarter, more flexible network aligned with Net Zero goals and delivering clean, secure electricity for generations to come.

Based in Scotland (Aberdeen, Inverness or Perth), this permanent, full‑time role pays £50,100–£75,100 plus car or car allowance, a performance bonus and a broad benefits package.

Qualifications

• Solid understanding of power system protection and testing protection IEDs in transmission networks.
• Working knowledge of IEC 61850 (all parts) including MMS, GOOSE and SV.
• Familiar with DNP3, IEC 60255-118-1, IEEE C37.118.x and IEC TR 61850-90-5.
• Knowledge of IEDs, RTUs and SCADA/EMS systems is desirable.
• Understanding cyber security in an OT environment.

Responsibilities

• Deliver outputs to the digital substation programme and help develop digital design capabilities.
• Assist in creating, reviewing and releasing specifications and technical guidance for digital substation implementation.
• Collaborate with project engineers to develop project-specific scope documents and review contractor proposals for digital substation delivery.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to reduce development risk and implement mitigation strategies.
• Work with strategic suppliers to select solutions meeting operational requirements.

Skills

Power system protection

IEC 61850 knowledge

DNP3 familiarity

IED/RTU/SCADA knowledge

OT cyber security

Tools

IEC 61850 MMS

IEC 61850 GOOSE

IEC 61850 SV

Job description

Base Location: For this role, we require successful applicants to be based from one of our Scottish locations – Aberdeen, Inverness or Perth

Salary: £50,100 - £75,100 + car /car allowance + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available

The role

At SSEN Transmission, you’ll join us as a Digital Substation Protection, Automation and Control (PAC) Engineer, playing a key role in building a smarter, more flexible network for Net Zero, one that delivers clean, secure, and affordable electricity for generations to come.

Within our Network Directorate, you’ll become part of Network Engineering, the team that ensures all engineering activity across Transmission projects is safe, sound, and fully supported. You’ll help deliver the design and technical engineering governance that keeps our network operating safely, reliably, and in line with legislation, while shaping the standards and equipment we rely on every day. In our specialist Digital Substation development team, you’ll take the lead in defining protection scheme architectures, designs, and configurations, driving innovation as we move towards a fully digital, multi-vendor substation environment.

You will

• Deliver the required outputs to the digital substation programme and participate in the development of our digital design capabilities.
• Support the creation, review and release of specifications and technical guidance documents related to digital substation implementation.
• Work closely with project engineers to develop project-specific scope documents and review contractor proposals related to digital substation delivery, all during initial project implementation.
• Collaborate with project stakeholders to reduce development risk and support implementation of risk mitigation strategies.
• Work closely with strategic suppliers delivering digital substation capabilities to select solutions that meet SSEN Transmission’s operational requirements.

You have

• Solid understanding of power system protection, with practical experience configuring and testing protection IEDs and schemes used in transmission networks.
• Working knowledge of IEC 61850 (all parts), including station and process bus applications, and the implementation of MMS, GOOSE, and SV.
• Familiarity with additional standards and protocols such as DNP3, IEC 60255-118-1 (IEEE C37.118.1), IEEE C37.118.2, and IEC TR 61850-90-5 is preferred.
• Working knowledge of Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs), remote terminal units (RTUs), and SCADA / EMS systems is highly desirable.
• An understanding of cyber security within an operational technology environment.

About SSE

SSE’s purpose is to provide energy needed today while building a better world of energy for tomorrow. We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. Our Transforming for Growth investment plan sees us investing £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure across the five years to 2030.

SSEN Transmission own and operate the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland. We transport energy from where it is generated to where it is needed, ensuring a safe and reliable electricity supply for the communities we serve. But that’s not all - we’re upgrading the grid to deliver cleaner, homegrown energy for the future and building a network for net zero to create secure power for generations to come.

Flexible Benefits To Fit Your Life

• Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships.
• Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service.
• Interest‑free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme.
• As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.

Work with an equal opportunity employer

SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. please contact Andy on [e-mail] / 01738 275370 to discuss how we can support you.

We're dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.

#SSENTWE