Principal Protection & Control Design Engineer

JACOBS; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An international engineering firm is seeking a Principal Protection & Control Engineer to lead design workstreams in their Power & Energy portfolio. This role involves extensive experience in high-voltage installations, quality assurance of design packages, and mentoring junior engineers. The firm values collaboration, offering a hybrid working model and a competitive benefits package including medical cover and family-friendly leave policies. Join a team at the forefront of the global energy transition!

Benefits

Free single medical cover

Enhanced parental leave pay

Reimbursement for professional development

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in P&C FEED and detailed design for high-voltage installations (132kV–400kV).
• Knowledge of National Grid and SSE design processes and standards.
• Familiarity with protection and control systems for DNOs, BESS, windfarms, and HVDC.

Responsibilities

• Lead FEED and detailed design workstreams for Protection & Control systems.
• Review protection settings, relay coordination, and scheme logic.
• Ensure quality assurance and timely delivery of design packages.

Skills

P&C FEED and detailed design

Project lifecycle management

Strong communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Chartered Engineer through the IET

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

Jacobs is playing a leading role in the global energy transition. As our UK and Continental Europe team continues to expand, we are seeking a Principal Protection & Control Engineer to support a range of high‑profile projects across our Power & Energy portfolio. This includes high voltage AIS and GIS Substations, transmission system assets, HVDC interconnectors, and energy storage systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead FEED and detailed design workstreams for Protection & Control systems across transmission and renewable energy projects
• Develop and review interface designs, protection schemes, and control philosophies
• Ensure quality assurance and timely delivery of design packages and technical bids
• Undertake site visits and non‑intrusive surveys as part of design or site support activities
• Review protection settings, relay coordination, and scheme logic
• Coordinate with back‑office engineers, sub‑contractors, and suppliers
• Support tendering activities and contribute to technical offers
• Identify and manage technical risks, ensuring compliance with CDM and safety standards
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to team capability development
• Maintain strong client relationships and support business development

Here’s what you’ll need

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering
• Chartered Engineer through the IET
• Extensive experience in P&C FEED and detailed design for high‑voltage installations (132kV–400kV)
• Knowledge of National Grid and SSE design processes and standards
• Experience across the full project lifecycle from feasibility to detailed design
• Familiarity with protection and control systems for DNOs, BESS, windfarms, and HVDC
• Ability to work flexibly across multiple projects and manage competing priorities
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Why Jacobs?

People are Jacobs’ greatest asset, and we offer a competitive package to retain and attract the best talent. In addition to the benefits you’d expect, UK employees also receive free single medical cover and digital GP service, family‑friendly benefits such as enhanced parental leave pay and free membership of employee assistance and parental programmes, plus reimbursement toward relevant professional development and memberships.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role. For greater online accessibility please visit https://www.vercida.com/uk/employers/jacobs to view and access our roles. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process, please contact the team via Careers Support.