Principle Engineer -HVDC Control & Protection System Application

GE Vernova; Creswell; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

GE Vernova is seeking an experienced Principal Engineer – Control & Protection Systems/Application in Creswell, England. You will serve as a technical authority leading VSC HVDC control and protection algorithm projects.

The role demands a strong technical background and capability to mentor teams while ensuring high-quality deliverables and technical reviews. Proven experience in control algorithms and high-level functional definitions related to power systems is essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of experience in industrial applications as a technical lead.
• Over 5 years of team leadership experience focused on quality deliverables.
• Experience with developing control and protection algorithms using model-based design.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical authority in VSC HVDC control and protection.
• Lead development of New Product Introduction (NPI) programmes.
• Oversee R&D programmes from conception through industrialization.

Skills

VSC HVDC technology

Control algorithm principles

Leadership and interpersonal skills

MATLAB/Simulink

PSCAD simulation

Education

Master’s degree or Ph.D. in electrical or electronic engineering

Job description

Job Description Summary

The energy transition drives an unprecedented growth in the demand for and generation of electricity. To accommodate this growth, the capacity of transmission systems is projected to grow three‑fold. High‑voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems will play a key role in connecting remote and offshore renewables, interconnecting energy markets, and reinforcing AC grids. Converter stations are required to convert AC to DC and vice versa. The brain of such converter stations is the control and protection system, which ensures efficient, safe, and reliable operation of the power electronic valves and peripheral equipment. GE Vernova’s Grid Systems Integration business line offers control and protection solutions for both voltage‑sourced converter (VSC) and line‑commutated converter (LCC) HVDC valve technologies to meet the transmission planning needs of utilities, system operators, developers, and industrial clients worldwide. The control and protection algorithms are key to enabling the HVDC transmission system’s functionality, capabilities and performance.

Job Description

GE Vernova is currently looking for an experienced technical specialist to join us as Principal Engineer – Control & Protection Systems/Application. The role requires acting as a technical consultant, ensuring customer confidence, reviewing and enhancing design practices, acting as a gatekeeper for technical reviews, applying lessons learned, leading complex technology improvements, engaging in quality reviews, and cost‑optimization exercises across domains.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a recognized technical authority in VSC HVDC control and protection algorithm solutions both internally and externally, and act as a technical advisor to senior leadership and consulting engineers.
• Lead the development of New Product Introduction (NPI) programmes for VSC HVDC control and protection.
• Act as a technical authority for VSC HVDC NPI developments, approving designs, reviewing execution plans, and mentoring new talent.
• Actively contribute to and drive internal and external standardization, coordinate working‑group activities, and represent GE Vernova in IEC/CIGRE, professional bodies, task forces, and industry committees.
• Support internal stakeholders and consulting engineers to develop and maintain a strategic HVDC control and protection algorithms technology roadmap.
• Suggest areas for technological advancement and recommend approaches to pursue.
• Participate in the Patent Evaluation Board (PEB) to protect technology that gives the business a competitive advantage and to protect the company’s intellectual property rights.
• Oversee various R&D programmes from conception through industrialisation, integrating new technology smoothly into production and ensuring successful project delivery.
• Chair and act as technical authority in technology and product development gate reviews.
• Collaborate and promote technology synergies across GE Vernova businesses of Power Conversion Systems, Grid Automation, and Power Technology, utilizing shared expertise and resources.
• Lead or 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.
• Consult with and support the Chief Engineer’s Office in executing the office’s technical objectives to implement best‑practice technologies, methods, and process adherence.
• Provide technical consultation on product problems throughout the business, including supplier and field support, and perform technical rescues when needed.
• Actively mentor and coach identified high‑potential engineering talents within the business lines.
• Chair design reviews for individual components, sub‑assemblies, and key engineering deliverables at tendering and contract execution stages, and support consulting engineers in governance and training to reinforce design‑review guidelines.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in electrical or electronic engineering, or in a topic related to the development of control system solutions, ideally with a focus on power systems.
• At least 15 years of experience working in industrial applications, acting as a technical lead.
• At least 5 years of experience leading technical teams to meet business deadlines with a focus on high‑quality deliverables.
• At least 5 years of experience producing high‑quality requirements, design, and test specification documents.
• At least 5 years of experience developing control and protection algorithms using model‑based design practices.
• At least 5 years of experience conducting EMT studies for power systems.
• Excellent overall technical understanding of VSC‑HVDC technology, with deep knowledge of:
• Control algorithm principles and high‑level control system functional definition
• Control algorithm implementation and integration
• Control software architecture
• Interaction studies
• Grid‑forming control
• Control system performance verification & validation, including understanding of regulatory frameworks, grid codes and standards
• Familiarity with patent evaluation, application, and management
• Open to occasional business travel

Desired Characteristics

• Experience with multi‑terminal HVDC systems.
• Experience with MATLAB/Simulink and PSCAD simulation software.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Ability to pursue the correct engineering process in adverse conditions.
• Able to interface and communicate effectively with all levels of the organization.
• Knowledge and experience working in an Agile methodology.
• Considered an industry expert and thought leader in the HVDC control and protection algorithms discipline.

Additional Information

Relocation Assistance Provided: No