Principal Engineer - Control System Performance

AL8238 UK Grid Solutions Limited; Stafford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

AL8238 UK Grid Solutions Limited is seeking an experienced Principal Engineer – Control System Performance to drive HVDC technology development. This role involves leading the NPI programs and acting as a technical authority within HVDC control solutions.

The ideal candidate holds an advanced degree in electrical engineering, possesses over 15 years of industrial experience, and excels in developing control algorithms using MATLAB/Simulink. The position offers opportunities for growth and collaboration in cutting-edge energy solutions.

Qualifications

• Deep technical understanding of control systems.
• 15 years in industrial applications as a technical lead.
• 5 years' experience leading technical teams with high-quality deliverables.
• Expertise in developing control and protection algorithms.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a recognized technical authority in HVDC Control & Protection.
• Lead development of New Product Introduction (NPI) for VSC HVDC.
• Oversee R&D programs and ensure successful project delivery.
• Mentor and coach engineering talents within the business.

Skills

Control System Performance

High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC)

Technical Authority

Leadership

Project Management

Education

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

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

PSCAD

Job description

Overview

Job Description Summary The energy transition drives an unprecedented growth in demand for and generation of electricity. To accommodate this growth, the capacity of transmission system 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 are the control and protection systems which, among other things, ensure 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) as well as line commutated converter (LCC) HVDC valve technologies to meet the transmission planning needs of utilities, system operators, developers and industrial clients worldwide. The control & protection algorithms are key to enabling the HVDC transmission systems’ functionality, capabilities and performance. GE Vernova is currently looking for an experienced technical specialist to join us as Principal Engineer – Control System Performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a recognized technical authority in Voltage Sourced Converter HVDC Control & Protection algorithms solutions both internally and externally, and act as technical advisor to Senior leadership levels and support to 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 both internal and external standardization, coordinate working group activities and proactively represent GE Vernova in IEC/CIGRE and similar professional bodies, task forces and industry committees.
• Support Internal Stakeholders and Consulting Engineer to develop and maintain a strategic HVDC Control & Protection Algorithms technology roadmap.
• Suggest areas for technological advancement and recommend approaches/programs to pursue.
• Participate Patent Evaluation Board (PEB) to protect technology that gives the business a competitive advantage, as well as protecting the intellectual property rights of the company.
• Oversee various R&D programmes from conception through to 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/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.
• Act as a knowledge ambassador, providing technical education to external universities.
• Consult with and support the Chief Engineer’s Office in executing the office’s technical objectives to implement best practice technologies and methods.
• 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 one’s business lines.
• Chair Design reviews for individual components, sub-assemblies and key engineering deliverables at tendering and contract execution stages.
• Support Consulting Engineers in governance and trainings to reinforce proper execution of design review guidelines.

Qualifications/Requirements

• The position requires a deep technical understanding of the technologies and design techniques required to develop, manufacture and maintain, high availability, real time, flexible control systems.
• The successful candidate will deeply understand the intricacies of communication and computing platform technologies and techniques, and how to translate this into an effective value proposition to GE Vernova’s customers.
• This requires a strong foundation in both research and development and project engineering, having demonstrated significant technical depth and recognition as a domain expert across large scale, high reliability, high performance real time control systems, and able to apply state-of-the-art technology to resolve complex technical challenges.
• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in electrical and electronic engineering, or in a topic related to the development of control system solutions, ideally with 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 performing to business deadlines and with a focus in high quality deliverables.
• At least 5 years of experience producing high-quality requirements, design and test specification documents.
• At least 5 years of experience development control and protection algorithms using MATLAB/Simulink.
• At least 5 years of experience of conducting EMT studies for power systems.
• Excellent overall technical understanding of VSC and LCC-HVDC technology with deep understanding of the topics identified below: Control algorithm principles and high-level control system functional definition; Control algorithm implementation; Control software architecture; Interaction studies; Grid forming control; Control system performance verification & validation; Understanding of typical relevant regulatory frameworks, grid codes and standards.
• Familiarity with patent evaluation, application and management.
• Open to business travel.

Desired Characteristics

• Experience with multi-terminal HVDC systems.
• Experience with PSCAD simulation software.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Leadership to pursue correct engineering process in adverse conditions.
• Able to interface and communicate effectively with all levels of the organization.
• Considered an industry expert and thought leader in the HVDC control & protection algorithms discipline.