Protection Validation Engineer (Lead/SME)

Global Commissioning; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Global Commissioning in the UK/Europe seeks a Protection Validation Engineer (Lead/SME) to act as the technical authority on HV/EHV protection and control systems. You will lead validation strategy, challenge designs, and oversee end-to-end protection across critical infrastructure projects.

You will balance strategic oversight with hands-on delivery on-site (25–50%), mentoring engineers, and guiding FAT/SAT, commissioning, and field testing across UK and Europe.

Qualifications

• Extensive background in HV/EHV protection and control systems.
• Experience with protection validation, design review, and technical assurance.
• Knowledge of overcurrent, distance, and differential protection.
• Protection coordination and selectivity experience.
• Relay configuration, testing, and commissioning oversight.
• Familiarity with ETAP, DIgSILENT or similar.

Responsibilities

• Lead protection validation strategy, standards, and best practices.
• Act as the technical authority for protection engineering across the business.
• Review protection & control designs, single-line diagrams, and relays.
• Ensure compliance with client specs, grid requirements, and standards.
• Provide technical oversight across design, FAT/SAT, and commissioning.
• Support site activities: witness testing, energisation, fault investigations.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to internal capability.

Skills

HV protection

Protection validation

Protection design review

Protection coordination

Relay testing

ETAP

DIgSILENT

Electrical schematics

Mentoring

Education

HNC/HND/BEng or equivalent

Tools

ETAP

DIgSILENT

Job description

UK / Europe | Technical Delivery

We’re looking for a Protection Validation Engineer (Lead / SME) to act as our technical authority on protection and control systems across high-voltage (HV) and extra high-voltage (EHV) environments.

This is a senior, high-impact role combining technical leadership, independent validation, and hands‑on project involvement. You’ll shape validation strategies, challenge designs, and ensure protection systems perform reliably in some of the most critical infrastructure environments in the world.

Expect a balance of strategic oversight and on‑site delivery (25–50%), working closely with commissioning teams during key project phases.

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll operate as a trusted expert across multiple projects, responsible for:

• Leading protection validation strategy, standards, and best practices


• Acting as the technical authority for protection engineering across the business


• Reviewing and validating:
  
  
  
  • Protection & control designs
  
  
  • Single‑line diagrams and schematics
  
  
  • Relay settings and coordination studies
  
  
  
  


• Ensuring compliance with client specs, grid requirements, and industry standards


• Providing technical oversight across design, FAT/SAT, and commissioning phases


• Supporting site activities, including:
  
  
  
  • Witnessing end‑to‑end protection testing
  
  
  • Verifying protection scheme functionality
  
  
  • Supporting energisation and switching events
  
  
  
  


• Identifying risks, resolving complex issues, and supporting fault investigations


• Advising clients and stakeholders in design reviews and assurance forums


• Mentoring engineers and contributing to internal technical capability

What We’re Looking For

Core Experience

• Extensive background in HV/EHV protection and control systems


• Proven experience in protection validation, design review, and technical assurance


• Strong knowledge of:
  
  
  
  • Overcurrent, distance, and differential protection
  
  
  • Protection coordination and selectivity
  
  
  
  


• Experience with relay configuration, testing, and commissioning oversight


• Familiarity with tools such as ETAP, DIgSILENT, or similar

Technical & Professional Background

• Electrical qualifications (HNC/HND/BEng or equivalent preferred)


• HV authorisations or training (essential)


• Chartered Engineer status (or working towards) is advantageous


• Ability to interpret complex schematics and technical documentation


• Experience in data centres, utilities, or mission‑critical environments is a plus

How You Work

• You’re a technical leader who can influence and challenge decisions


• You balance engineering governance with practical delivery


• You’re detail‑driven, proactive, and solutions‑focused


• You communicate confidently with clients, contractors, and teams


• You prioritise safety and quality in high‑voltage environments


• You enjoy mentoring and developing others

Please note this role is a combination of 25-50% UK and European travel and the remainder of the time you will be based at our Newcastle Office.

Why Join Us?

• Work on cutting‑edge, mission‑critical infrastructure projects


• Influence engineering standards and technical excellence across the business


• Be part of a collaborative, expert‑led environment


• Opportunity to grow into a recognised Subject Matter Expert (SME)