Protection Validation Engineer (Lead/SME)

Global Commissioning; Whitstable; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Global Commissioning seeks a Protection Validation Engineer (Lead / SME) to act as the technical authority on protection and control systems for HV/EHV environments. The role blends strategic validation leadership with hands-on project involvement, shaping validation strategies and challenging designs across critical infrastructure globally.

You will balance strategic oversight with on-site delivery (25–50%), collaborating with commissioning teams during key project phases and mentoring

Qualifications

• Extensive background in HV/EHV protection and control systems.
• Proven experience in protection validation, design review, and technical assurance.
• Able to interpret complex schematics and technical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead protection validation strategy, standards, and best practices.
• Act as the technical authority for protection engineering across the business.
• Review protection & control designs, SVs, and coordination studies.
• Provide oversight across design, FAT/SAT, and commissioning phases.
• Support site activities, witnessing protection tests and energisation events.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to internal technical capability.

Skills

HV protection

Protection validation

Technical leadership

Schematic interpretation

Education

Electrical qualifications (HNC/HND/BEng)

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

• 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

• 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)

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.