Principal Engineer – LCC HVDC Control and Protection Systems

GE Vernova; Creswell; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

GE Vernova is seeking a Principal Engineer to serve as the technical authority for LCC HVDC systems in Creswell, United Kingdom. This role involves leading design governance, ensuring system performance and safety standards, and mentoring engineering talent.

The ideal candidate will possess profound technical expertise in control systems and HVDC applications, demonstrating significant experience in project engineering and R&D. This position aims to optimize technology for GE Vernova's Grid Systems Integration.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in industrial applications (HVDC, Power Electronics).
• 10+ years of experience in governing design specifications for control systems.
• 5+ years of experience leading technical teams with high-quality deliverables.
• Strong foundation in research and development for control systems.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the recognized expert in LCC HVDC Control & Protection.
• Lead the governance of system-level requirements for LCC HVDC systems.
• Own validation strategies for functional requirements ensuring safety standards.
• Coach and mentor high-potential engineering talent.

Skills

LCC HVDC Control & Protection

MATLAB/Simulink

Firing angle control

Electromagnetic Transient studies

Complex engineering processes

Education

Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

PSCAD simulation software

Job description

Job Description Summary

The energy transition drives an unprecedented growth in demand for and generation of electricity. High voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems play a key role in connecting remote and offshore renewables and reinforcing AC grids. GE Vernova Grid Systems Integration business line offers control and protection solutions for Line Commutated Converter (LCC) HVDC valve technologies. The "brain" of these stations consists of control and protection systems that ensure efficient, safe, and reliable operation.

GE Vernova HVDC NPI team requires a Principal Engineer to act as the technical authority for LCC HVDC systems. This role serves as a technical consultant and gatekeeper, ensuring design excellence, leading state-of-the-art technology improvements, and mentoring the next generation of engineering talent.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the recognized expert in Line Commutated Converter (LCC) HVDC Control & Protection algorithms and systems both internally and externally.
• Lead the authoring, review, and governance of system-level and functional requirements for LCC HVDC systems.
• Own the validation strategies for functional requirements, ensuring that all control and protection logic meets rigorous performance and safety standards.
• Direct the creation and maintenance of high-fidelity design specifications, ensuring a unified technical vision across complex sub-systems.
• Lead New Product Introduction (NPI) programs for LCC technology, approving designs, reviewing execution plans, and acting as a technical gatekeeper for product readiness.
• Drive internal and external standardization by representing GE Vernova in professional bodies such as IEC and CIGRE.
• Support the Chief Engineer’s Office in developing the LCC HVDC Control & Protection technology roadmap, identifying areas for cost optimization and technological advancement.
• Act as the technical authority in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) processes for major quality or field issues.
• Actively coach and mentor high‑potential engineering talent to ensure technical continuity within the business line.
• Participate Patent Evaluation Board (PEB) to protect technology that gives the business a competitive advantage, as well as protecting the intellectual property rights of the company.
• Oversee various R&D programmes from conception through to industrialisation, integrating new technology smoothly into production and ensuring successful project delivery.
• Collaborate and promote technology synergies across GE Vernova businesses of Power Conversion Systems, Grid Automation and Power Technology, utilizing shared expertise and resources.
• Lead/support project teams addressing identified project challenges in focused technical areas.
• Support project technical tendering and delivery in the introduction of new solutions.
• Support the quality teams on major quality issues and act as technical authority in root cause analysis processes.
• Act as technical authority in competence management.
• Provide technical consultation on product problems throughout the business including supplier and field support and perform technical rescues when needed.

Qualifications / Requirements

The position requires a deep technical understanding of the technologies and design techniques required to develop, manufacture and maintain, high availability, real time, flexible control systems.

The successful candidate will deeply understand the intricacies of communication and computing platform technologies and techniques, and how to translate this into an effective value proposition to GE Vernova customers. This requires a strong foundation in both research and development and project engineering, having demonstrated significant technical depth and recognition as a domain expert across large scale, high reliability, high-performance real-time control systems, and able to apply state-of-the-art technology to resolve complex technical challenges.

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, or a related field with a focus on control systems.
• At least 15 years of experience working in industrial applications (HVDC, Power Electronics, or Power Systems) acting as a technical lead.
• At least 10 years of experience in writing and governing detailed design specifications for high-performance real-time control systems.
• At least 5 years of experience in writing formal system and functional requirements and managing their validation/verification lifecycle.
• At least 5 years of experience leading technical teams to meet strict business deadlines with high-quality deliverables.
• At least 5 years of experience in control and protection algorithm development using MATLAB/Simulink and conducting EMT (Electromagnetic Transient) studies.
• Deep technical understanding of Line Commutated Converter (LCC) technology, including:
  • Firing angle (Alpha) control and synchronization logic.
  • Commutation failure prediction and mitigation.
  • DC line protection and recovery sequences.
  • AC/DC interaction and reactive power control.

Desired Characteristics

• Considered an industry expert and thought leader in LCC HVDC control and protection.
• Strong proficiency with PSCAD simulation software for power system analysis.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills with the ability to interface with executive leadership and customers.
• Proven ability to lead complex engineering processes under high‑pressure conditions.
• Familiarity with patent evaluation and intellectual property management.
• Ability to travel for business and technical consultations as required.

Additional Information

• Relocation Assistance Provided: No
• Business Unit: GE Vernova - Grid Systems Integration
• Department: HVDC New Product Introduction (NPI)