Power Systems Engineer – Control Room Tools

National Energy System Operator Limited; Wokingham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus based on company performance

26 days annual leave

Contributory pension (double match up)

NESO Savings Plan with 50% match

Flexible benefits programme

Job summary

National Energy System Operator (NESO) in the UK seeks a technically strong engineer or researcher with power systems expertise to develop real-time monitoring tools for the Electricity Control Room. The role emphasizes applying theory to practice in stability, dynamics and wide-area monitoring.

You may be in industry, academia or pursuing a PhD, and will collaborate with engineers, users and technology teams to deliver practical operational solutions.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of power system operation, stability and dynamics.
• Knowledge or research in synchrophasors, PMUs, WAMS or real-time monitoring technologies.
• Degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems or related STEM field.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical solutions.
• Interest in applying expertise to tools that support real-time electricity operation.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and enhance real-time monitoring and situational awareness tools for the Electricity Control Room.
• Apply knowledge of stability and dynamics to shape practical operational solutions.
• Translate complex concepts into clear technical requirements for tool development.
• Collaborate with Control Room users, engineers and suppliers to implement solutions.
• Support development and application of synchrophasor, PMU and WAMS capabilities.

Skills

Power systems knowledge

Analytical thinking

Collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

PhD in Power Systems

Tools

PMUs

Synchrophasors

WAMS

Job description

About the Role

National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. We’re looking for someone with a strong technical or research background in Power Systems or Electrical Engineering, particularly in areas such as power system stability, dynamics, inertia, frequency behaviour, oscillations, synchrophasors or Wide Area Monitoring. You may currently be working in industry, academia or research, or completing a PhD in Power Systems, Electrical Engineering or a closely related field. Previous experience working in an electricity Control Room is not essential. What is important is your understanding of the underlying power system theory and your ability to apply that knowledge to real-world engineering challenges. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to translate your technical expertise into the development of monitoring and situational awareness tools used in the Electricity Control Room. This includes working with technologies such as Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs), synchrophasor data and Wide Area Monitoring Systems (WAMS). You’ll work alongside power system engineers, Control Room users and technology teams to turn complex engineering concepts and research into practical operational solutions, helping us understand system behaviour and maintain secure operation as Great Britain’s electricity system continues to change. The role is based in Wokingham and offers a flexible hybrid working arrangement. While there is no fixed requirement to be in the office on specific days each week, you’ll need to be able to attend when required, particularly for testing, team meetings and collaborative activities. This role is designated as requiring a National Security Vetting (NSV) clearance. You will usually need to have been a resident in the UK for the last five years to apply for the required level of clearance.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and enhance real-time monitoring and situational awareness tools used within the Electricity Control Room.
• Apply your understanding of power system stability and dynamics to help shape practical operational solutions.
• Translate complex engineering concepts and Control Room needs into clear technical requirements for tool development.
• Work with Control Room users, power system engineers, technology teams and suppliers to develop, test and implement solutions.
• Support the development and application of synchrophasor, PMU and Wide Area Monitoring (WAMS) capabilities.
• Take solutions from concept through testing and implementation into the live operational environment.
• Applicants must have the right to work in the UK by the start of employment. Visa sponsorship may not be available for this role and will be considered in line with business requirements.

About You

You don’t need to have followed a traditional career path in the energy industry to be successful in this role. You may be working in industry, academia or research, or completing a PhD in a relevant field. What matters most is your understanding of power systems and your ability to apply that knowledge to real-world challenges. We’d particularly like to hear from you if you have:

• A strong understanding of power system operation, stability and dynamics, including areas such as inertia, frequency behaviour and oscillations.
• Knowledge or research experience in synchrophasors, Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs), Wide Area Monitoring Systems (WAMS) or related real-time monitoring technologies.
• A degree, PhD or equivalent knowledge/experience in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems or another relevant STEM discipline.
• The ability to take complex technical or theoretical concepts and translate them into practical solutions.
• An interest in seeing your technical expertise applied to tools that support the real-time operation of Great Britain’s electricity system.
• The ability to collaborate effectively with people from different technical backgrounds, including engineers, Control Room users, technology teams and external partners.

You don’t need to meet every point to apply. If you have strong power systems knowledge and relevant experience or research in some of these areas, we’d encourage you to apply. We’re interested in your technical foundations, your ability to learn and, most importantly, how you could apply your expertise to the challenges this role is solving.

What You'll Get

A competitive salary of £60,000-£80,000 dependent on experience and capabilityAs well as your base salary, NESO's core benefits are the essential perks and advantages that form part of your employee package.

• You will receive a bonus based on company performance
• 26 days annual leave as standard
• A competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%
• Annual Enrollment to NESO Savings Plan, when you save between £20- £500 a month from your take-home pay, we will pay a 50% matching contribution.
• NESO's flexible benefits programme provides you with more flexibility around your health, lifestyle and protection benefits, here's just a few available:
• Flexible Bank Holidays & Holiday Trading
• Additional Birthday Day Off
• Cycle to Work Scheme, Retail & Gym Discounts
• Private Medical Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance & Personal Accident Insurance

About Us

At the National Energy System Operator (NESO), we play a vital role in tackling climate change and securing Great Britain's energy future. We already operate the world's fastest decarbonising electricity system and are working towards our ambition to run it carbon-free for a short period this year - provided the market supplies electricity exclusively from renewable sources. Alongside this, we provide expert advice to government on how to deliver a clean power system by 2030. In autumn 2024, the Electricity System Operator (ESO) transitioned to become NESO - an independent, expert public corporation with a whole-system view across electricity, gas, and hydrogen. NESO operates independently and transparently, always acting in the best interests of all energy users. Licensed and regulated by Ofgem, we make impartial decisions that balance sustainability, affordability and security. Our organisation is fully independent from government, the regulator and all commercial interests, with a clear focus on system-wide benefit, long term thing and public value. The time to deliver is now. Join the energy transformation and help shape the future. Your energy. Our future. Together

More Information

This role closes at 23:59, on the day before date shown above, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary. Research shows that some people may hesitate to apply unless they meet every single requirement. At NESO, we believe potential comes in many forms and we're committed to a fair, inclusive recruitment We're committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential. If this role sparks your interest but you're not sure you tick every box, we still want to hear from you. process where everyone has the opportunity to show their talents. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds. At the National Energy System Operator (NESO), we play a vital role in tackling climate change and securing Great Britains's energy future. We already operate the world's fastest decarbonising electricity system and are working towards our ambition to run it carbon-free for a short period this year - provided the market supplies electricity exclusively from renewable sources. Alongside this, we provide expert advice to government on how to deliver a clean power system by 2030. In autumn 2024, the Electricity System Operator (ESO) transitioned to become NESO - an independent, expert public corporation with a whole-system view across electricity, gas, and hydrogen. NESO operates independently and transparently, always actin in the best interests of all energy users. Licensed and regulated by Ofgem, we make impartial decisions that balance sustainability, affordability and security. Our organisation is fully independent from government, the regulator and all commercial interests, with a clear focus on system-wide benefit, long term thing and public value. The time to deliver is now. Join the energy transformation and help shape the future. Your energy. Our future. Together

Your energy. Our future. Together National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.