Principal Protection and Control Engineer

Morson Talent; Irlam; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the UK energy sector seeks a Principal Protection and Control Engineer focused on high-voltage protection systems for major national infrastructure projects. This senior role involves designing advanced protection systems, ensuring compliance, and leading design assurance activities in a collaborative environment that supports professional growth.

Benefits

Professional development support

Flexible working options

Company-funded social events

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in high-voltage (132kV-400kV) P&C system design.
• Expertise in IEC 61850 system integration and SCADA.
• Proven leadership in managing design assurance and technical compliance.

Responsibilities

• Design, integrate, and optimise protection systems for substations.
• Lead FEED and detailed design for protection relays.
• Prepare P&C tender packages and manage compliance evaluations.

Skills

High-voltage P&C system design

Relay coordination

System stability

IEC 61850 integration

Fault analysis

Education

Chartered Engineer status

Job description

Principal Protection and Control Engineer

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Principal Protection and Control Engineer

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Location: Manchester, Leeds, Belfast
Employment Type: Permanant
Salary: Competitive - Depending On Experience

NB. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be eligible for Security Clearance (SC), which typically requires long-term residency. At this time, Morson Projects is unable to provide visa sponsorship, though this may be reviewed in the future.

At Morson Projects, we're delivering major national infrastructure projects that will define the future of the UK's energy network. With increased investment in transmission network expansion, system automation, and HVDC integration, we're looking for a highly experienced design engineer to play a leading role in the next generation of protection & control (P&C) solutions.
If you have extensive expertise in high-voltage protection scheme design, system integration, and relay coordination, this is your opportunity to take on a career-defining challenge.

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What You'll Be Doing

As a Principal Protection & Control Engineer, you will be at the forefront of designing, integrating, and optimising protection systems for 132kV-400kV substations. Your expertise will be critical in:

- Protection & Control System Design

• Leading FEED and detailed design for protection relays, interlocking, and control schemes.
• Developing SLDs, KLDs, schematics, and wiring diagrams to National Grid (NGTS) and DNO standards.
• Defining protection philosophies and ensuring Grid Code and Engineering Recommendation compliance (ER G59, G99, P28, P29, P22, P24, etc.).

- System Integration & IEC 61850 Digital Substations

• Designing and implementing IEC 61850-based automation, including GOOSE messaging, SCADA, RTUs, and substation LAN/WAN architecture.
• Ensuring seamless relay coordination, teleprotection, and automation system integration.
• Managing LVAC/LVDC auxiliary systems, UPS, and battery sizing calculations for compliant system design.

- HVDC & Offshore Grid Connections

• Contributing to DC protection design, including converter station protection, fault detection, and AC/DC grid stability.
• Developing transmission line differential protection strategies for offshore interconnectors.
• Leading P&C design assurance to meet CDAE/LCDAE requirements for National Grid and EPC projects.
• Conducting hazard review meetings, identifying fault scenarios, system stability risks, and transient analysis solutions.

- Tender & Project Delivery for Major Transmission Projects

• Preparing and managing P&C tender packages, including relay setting reports, factory acceptance testing (FAT), and site acceptance testing (SAT).
• Evaluating technical offers and compliance with NG/DNO frameworks.

Your work will be at the cutting edge of protection and control engineering, ensuring the UK's power network is smarter, more resilient, and future-proof.
________________________________________
What Makes You the Perfect Fit?

This role is for an experienced protection & control design leader with a strong background in transmission and substation engineering. You should have:

• Extensive experience in high-voltage (132kV-400kV) P&C system design.
• Deep expertise in relay coordination, fault analysis, and system stability.
• Proficiency in IEC 61850 system integration, SCADA, and digital substation automation.
• Strong knowledge of National Grid standards, DNO frameworks, and HVDC protection.
• Proven leadership in managing design assurance, risk reviews, and technical compliance.
• Chartered Engineer status (or equivalent industry experience).
• Ability to lead teams, mentor engineers, and drive best practices.

This is not a step-up role - we're looking for someone who is already leading major design projects and ready to take on one of the most exciting challenges in the UK energy sector.
________________________________________
Why Join Morson Projects?

At Morson Projects, we don't just offer a job - we offer a career with impact.

• Work on transformational power projects that will define the UK's energy future.
• Full support for professional development, including chartership and paid memberships.
• A collaborative engineering environment where your expertise is valued and rewarded.
• Competitive salary, hybrid working, and flexibility to shape your role.
• Company-funded social events, team-building activities, and mentoring opportunities.

This is an unmissable opportunity to be at the forefront of high-voltage grid transformation, delivering projects that will shape the future of the UK's power network.
________________________________________
Ready to Take the Lead?

If you're looking for a senior role where your expertise will define the next generation of protection & control engineering, we want to hear from you.

APPLY NOW - Lets work together to engineer the future of energy.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Industries

  Appliances, Electrical, and Electronics Manufacturing, Design Services, and Utilities

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