Operational Telecoms Project Engineer

-; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 81,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading utility provider in the UK is seeking an Operational Telecoms Project Engineer to deliver SCADA projects and manage telecom systems. The role involves ensuring the safety and reliability of network design and operation while also participating in various projects aimed at improving service availability. The ideal candidate should have a relevant engineering qualification and in-depth SCADA knowledge. A competitive salary of £80,574 is offered along with additional benefits, including annual leave and a pension plan.

Benefits

25 Days Annual Leave

Reservist Leave

Personal Pension Plan

Discounted gym membership

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Educated to HND / HNC level or equivalent in a relevant engineering discipline.
• In-depth knowledge of Networks SCADA including familiarity with EHV / HV switchgear.
• Experience working with CDM regulations and ISO9001 quality processes.

Responsibilities

• Deliver SCADA projects and maintenance programmes.
• Ensure a high standard of safety management across responsibilities.
• Support the design and integration of SMART Grid projects.

Skills

Knowledge of Networks SCADA

Familiarity with EHV / HV switchgear

Understanding of schematic diagrams

Experience with ISO9001 quality processes

Competency in RTU testing

Experience of data analytics

Education

HND / HNC in Engineering

Tools

Wireshark

Job description

81282 - Operational Telecoms Project Engineer

This Operational Telecoms Project Engineer will report to the Operational Telecoms Senior Project Engineer and will work within Network Operations based in the Essex / Norfolk / Cambridgeshire / Hertfordshire / Suffolk areas. You will be a permanent employee.

You will attract a salary of £80,574 per annum and a bonus of 3%.

If you are successful, you will need to undertake a medical and DBS reference check

Close Date: 4th February 2026

Benefits

• 25 Days Annual Leave plus bank holidays.
• Reservist Leave - Additional 18 days full pay and 22 unpaid
• Personal Pension Plan - Personal contribution rates of 4% or 5% (UK Power Networks will make a corresponding contribution of 8% or 10%)
• Tenancy Loan Deposit Scheme, Season Ticket Loan
• Tax efficient benefits: Cycle to Work, Home & Tech, and Green Car Leasing Schemes
• Occupational Health support
• Switched On - scheme providing discount on hundreds of retailers' products
• Discounted gym membership
• Employee Assistance Programme

Job purpose

To deliver Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA) projects, fault rectification and maintenance programmes within the Operational Telecoms Team, situated in the Networks Operations Business.

You will have a central role for developing and improving SCADA design, which will include the creation, establishment and improvement of standards and policies relating to SCADA and SMART Grid development across all three networks.

You will be part of a team that manages SCADA comms and control equipment across the three licence areas 24 hours a day to ensure 24x7x365 availability of business-critical infrastructure. Providing safe operation and positive impact on reduction of customer interruptions and customer minutes lost. You will also oversee the implementation of projects which will deliver our transition to a Distribution System Operator (DSO).

Principal accountabilities

• Ensure that a high standard of safety management prevails throughout the responsibilities and that safety performance is maintained.
• The post holder has a responsibility to ensure that the SCADA and SMART Grid design meets our needs regarding legacy and future systems and also assists with ideas to help improve Network reliability measured by CI and CML performance.
• Help deliver annual Ops Telecoms work programme following the network management plan.
• Support the design and integration of solutions for SMART Grid and flexible connections projects.
• Configuration, testing, integration and commissioning of SMART Grid solutions and SCADA interfaces.
• Facilitate the adoption and training of SMART solutions for "business as usual" operational management within the team;
• Liaison with Distributed Generation/Distributed Energy Resource customers for operational support and investigations;
• Deliver upgrade and improvement work on the operational SMART Grid systems;
• Help use design solutions and be seen to lead the application of developments in Operational Telecoms infrastructure. Provide leadership and balance in technical development and assessment of solutions to maintain reliability of new solutions introduced to the network.
• Communicate with important suppliers on both the development of new products and the resolution of faults on existing plant and equipment.
• Ensure that a high level of customer service is achieved.
• Collaborate with other departments in the implementation of projects requiring advice and expertise.

Nature and scope

Role Holder is responsible to the Ops Telecoms Senior Project Engineer, forming part of a team of technical specialists, responsible for the design, management and repair of UKPN SCADA equipment.

Ensuring all SCADA and SMART Grid projects are designed and built to UKPN specification. Developing testing programmes, ensuring successful commissioning of our technologies including the development of approaches for SCADA and SMART Grid operation.

Participate in the SCADA Standby Rotas, typically one week in every eight weeks.

Qualifications

• Educated to HND / HNC level or equivalent in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Membership of a professional body such as the IET or working towards membership.
• In-depth knowledge of Networks SCADA including familiarity with EHV / HV switchgear and substation apparatus.
• Capable person with an understanding of schematic and wiring diagrams to allow build or repair tasks to be carried out.
• Experience working with CDM regulations and ISO9001 quality processes.
• Train others in variety of tasks including RTU testing / commissioning procedures and fault diagnostic techniques.
• Will hold competency certificate under UK Power Networks safety rules. Permitting entry into and work within substations unattended including operating on SCADA equipment.
• Experience of SMART grid projects including low carbon technologies, information security, data communications, data analytics / modelling and data reporting.
• Knowledge of IP and other SCADA protocols including diagnostic tools such and Wireshark.

Health & safety requirements

• Create a safe working environment for all staff and contractors supporting the business.
• Safety management qualification such as IOSH certificate or equivalent.
• Mentoring of junior staff in all matters relating to Health & Safety aligned with their role.
• Accept to meet and fulfil all UKPN Health and Safety requirements.
• Conduct regular Safety Passport visits and Behavioural audits on staff allocated to you by the Senior Project Engineer.

Competencies

• A Team player
• Prepared to undertake further education and support succession plans.
• Enthusiastic and reliable.
• Work under the direction.
• A well balanced individual in all situations.
• Appreciation of the need to meet departmental goals.
• Current Valid driving Licence

Measure of Success

• New products are tested, and approved and deployed for use on the Network promptly.
• Any faults are identified and resolved within agreed timeframes.
• Customer feedback shows that the role holder enhances the department.
• Records are up to date and accurate.
• Ensure that reports produced are support Management decision-making.
• Recommendations enhance the service to the business and operation of the network.
• Projects are implemented to quality, specification and time.
• The business is found to be compliant with all external legal requirements.
• Advice is correct and complete, and leads to quality outcomes

The Project Engineer often gets issued with a minimum amount of information and we are looking for you to use your judgement and expertise in the assessment of a situation.

Health & Safety Responsibilities

Managers and supervisors carry both legal and company responsibilities for ensuring the health and safety of their employees, those under their control and those who might be affected by the work undertaken, i.e. public, visitors and employees of other organisations. This includes briefing individuals working for them and ensuring there is the necessary understanding, competence and application of requirements to work safely and without harming the environment.

Employees will ensure they understand the health and safety risks involved in their work activities and their responsibility to apply the controls needed to manage those risks to acceptable levels. Similarly where work activities can have an adverse impact upon the environment, and where there are legal requirements, employees will understand those impacts and the controls they must ensure are applied.

Employees need to be aware that for some craft and operational roles that work at height, or use fall arrest devices, there is an upper weight limit of 116Kg due to maximum safe working load of the safety equipment that is used.

If in doubt ask!

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

If you have any queries in connection to this vacancy or your application, please contact us at [e-mail] quoting the vacancy reference number and a member of the team will get in touch with you as soon as possible.