Protection & Control Field Engineer

SSEN Transmission; Inverness; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare discounts

Gym discounts

Online GP

Counselling service

Cycle to Work

Maternity leave

Paternity leave

Adoption pay

Job summary

SSEN Transmission is looking for a Protection Field Engineer to support the reliability and resilience of the transmission network across Inverness-shire. The role involves hands-on protection asset work, commissioning and site-based activities, with travel to various locations across Scotland.

You will manage protection systems, engage in capital projects, and participate in a 24/7 standby rota. A relevant electrical engineering qualification and HV experience are essential, with driving

Qualifications

• Electrical engineering qualification (min HNC) or equivalent.
• Experience with protection systems and 400 kV equipment.
• Strong ability to read protection diagrams and schematics.
• SAP or HV switching authorisations up to 400 kV advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Ensure transmission network operates to high reliability standards through protection and control systems management.
• Contribute to multi-million-pound capital delivery programme including commissioning of protection assets.
• Support field protection work: commissioning, maintenance, outage management, contractor liaison, budget management.
• Occasionally work away from base due to diverse locations of plant and equipment.
• Participate in paid out-of-hours standby rota due to 24/7 operation of HV network.

Skills

Power systems protection

Protection testing

Reading schematics

Education

HNC level (or apprenticeship)

Tools

SAP/ HV switching experience

Job description

Base Location: Flexible Scotland | We're proud to offer a Flexible First approach to work, and this role is no exception. We will, however, need your base 'home' location to be within travelling distance to our Inverness or Elgin sites as you will spend the majority of your time working in Substations and on Projects in Inverness-shire.

Salary: £50,964 - £85,880 + overtime + standby + car/car allowance and a range of other benefits to support your family, finances and wellbeing.

Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible working options available

The role

As a Protection Field Engineer at SSEN Transmission, you'll be instrumental in achieving Net Zero. This hands-on role is key to expanding and updating our network, directly ensuring the exceptional reliability and resilience of our transmission system for all users.

You will

• Ensure the Transmission network operates to the highest reliability standards through technical management of connected protection and control systems.
• Help deliver the multi-million-pound capital delivery programme on our transmission network, including the commissioning of new protection assets.
• Support all aspects of field protection work, including commissioning, maintenance, outage management, contractor liaison and budget management.
• At times, you may be required to work away from your base location due to the diverse nature, and sometime remote locations, of our plant and equipment.
• Participate in a paid out of hours standby rota due to the 24/7/365 nature of operating a high voltage Transmission network.

You have

• A qualification in a relevant electrical engineering subject (a minimum of HNC level with a recognised apprenticeship or suitable relevant experience being desirable).
• Previous experience and technical knowledge of power systems protection, including installation and commissioning of high voltage plant and apparatus up to 400kV.
• Strong understanding of reading and interpreting protection single line, schematic and block diagrams.
• Experience of carrying out testing and fault-finding on secondary wiring and auxiliary equipment, including the application of logic and settings files on Protection intelligent electronic devices.
• Existing Senior Authorised Person (SAP) or High Voltage Switching authorisations at Transmission voltages up to 400kV, are highly advantageous for this role or if working towards this.

A full UK driving license is required as this role will require travelling to our various locations.

Please note: Applications will also be considered from electrical engineers from other sectors with less specific protection experience, with a starting salary commensurate with experience levels. Training and development will be provided to ensure continuous progress.

About SSE

SSE’s purpose is to provide energy needed today while building a better world of energy for tomorrow. We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. Our Transforming for Growth investment plan sees us investing £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure across the five years to 2030.

SSEN Transmission own and operate the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland. We transport energy from where it is generated to where it is needed, ensuring a safe and reliable electricity supply for the communities we serve. But that's not all – we're upgrading the grid to deliver cleaner, homegrown energy for the future and building a network for net zero to create secure power for generations to come.

Flexible Benefits To Fit Your Life

Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships. Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service. Interest‑free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme. As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.

Work with an equal opportunity employer

SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive.

We're dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.