Protection Validation Engineer (Lead/SME)

Global Certification & Verification Group; Whitstable; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Global Certification & Verification Group is seeking a Protection Validation Engineer (Lead / SME) to act as the technical authority on protection and control systems across HV/EHV environments. This senior role combines technical leadership, independent validation, and hands-on project involvement to shape validation strategies and ensure reliable protection performance.

You will balance strategic oversight with on-site delivery (25–50%), mentoring engineers and supporting fault investigations

Qualifications

• 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.
• Experience with protection coordination and selectivity.
• Relay configuration, testing, and commissioning oversight.
• Familiarity with ETAP, DIgSILENT, or similar tools.
• Electrical qualifications (HNC/HND/BEng) preferred.
• Chartered Engineer status or progress is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead protection validation strategy, standards and best practices.
• Act as technical authority for protection engineering across the business.
• Review and validate protection & control designs and schematics.
• Verify relay settings and coordination studies.
• Ensure compliance with client specs, grid requirements, and industry standards.
• Provide technical oversight across design, FAT/SAT, and commissioning.
• Support site activities: witness protection testing and energisation events.
• Mentor engineers and support fault investigations.

Skills

HV protection

Protection validation

Design review

Technical leadership

Relay testing

ETAP

DIgSILENT

Protection coordination

Education

Electrical qualifications (HNC/HND/BEng or equivalent)

Chartered Engineer status (or working towards)

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)