Lead Electrical Protection Engineer

First Recruitment Group; Remote; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment firm is searching for a Lead Electrical Protection Engineer to remotely lead the design and delivery of substation systems for a 6-month contract. The ideal candidate should possess a BSc in Electrical Engineering and over five years of relevant experience. Responsibilities include managing technical projects, analyzing customer specifications, and leading testing and commissioning activities. The role requires strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Over five years of protection and electrical design engineering-related experience.
• Strong knowledge of protection functions and electrical scheme design.
• Ability to travel locally and globally.

Responsibilities

• Drive technical project activities and ensure successful project execution.
• Manage project budgets and provide regular progress updates.
• Write project technical documentation and validate technical solutions.
• Manage technical execution planning and adhere to safety standards.
• Address technical deviations and support site engineers.
• Lead Factory Acceptance Tests and coordinate with commissioning teams.

Skills

Protection and electrical design engineering

Designing and configuring protection relays

Electrical scheme design

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving skills

Excellent verbal and written communication

Education

BSc. in Electrical Engineering or equivalent

Job description

Lead the design, protection, and delivery of critical substation systems — all from a fully remote role.

Lead Electrical Protection Engineer

6 month contract initially. Inside IR35 – Remote working. 40 hours per week.

Job Summary

The preferred candidate is responsible for design preparation based on customer specification, conduct engineering activities from design stage until site commissioning and acts as a technical interface between customer and technical community. In-depth hands‑on experience & knowledge of Protection and scheme design for electrical substation is an essential element of this role. This role will report directly to the Engineering team leader for protection systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Technical Projects: Drive technical project activities, lead customer kick‑off meetings, and ensure successful project execution from design to commissioning.
• Customer and Project Management: Participate in project risk reviews, manage project budgets and provide regular progress updates.
• Design and Documentation: Analyse customer specifications, write project technical documentation and validate technical solutions with customers.
• Technical Oversight: Specify software and IEDs, manage technical execution planning and ensure adherence to safety standards.
• Issue Resolution: Address technical deviations, manage fault reports and support site engineers remotely or on‑site.
• Testing and Commissioning: Lead Factory Acceptance Tests, Site Acceptance Tests and coordinate with commissioning teams for major site milestones.

Essential Qualifications

• BSc. in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• Over five years of protection and electrical design engineering‑related experience.
• Strong knowledge of protection functions, electrical scheme and cubicle design.
• Proficient in designing and configuring protection relays and network studies.
• Preferred: proven knowledge in substation automation solutions.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel locally and globally.

Desired Characteristics

• Deep knowledge of automation electrical scheme, detailed design of electrical protection relays (LV, MV & HV) and network studies.
• Strong interpersonal, problem‑solving and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently in a dynamic environment with a flexible approach to working hours.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to cooperate across departments.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we actively recruit at all levels to ensure everyone is included.