Senior Control Systems Engineer

BALFOUR BEATTY; Leeds; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading infrastructure firm based in Leeds is looking for a Senior Control Systems Engineer to design and develop Substation Control Systems for HV electrical projects. The ideal candidate will have an HNC or higher in Electrical Engineering, experience in SCADA systems, and proficiency in PLC programming. This role offers flexible working arrangements and a range of benefits, including generous leave and family-friendly policies, making it suitable for both full-time and part-time candidates.

Benefits

Flexibility in working hours

25 days paid annual leave

Family friendly policies

Pension and share incentive plan

Qualifications

• Requires knowledge of Cybersecurity implementation in substation environments.
• Must have customer-facing factory and site acceptance testing experience.
• Ability to create Functional Design Specifications clearly demonstrating solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop Substation Control Systems for electrical HV substation projects.
• Produce Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) documentation for testing.
• Develop good supplier and customer relationships for efficient solution development.

Skills

Proficiency in designing and developing distributed I/O systems

Experience with SCADA systems

PLC programming experience

Good understanding of electrical schematics

Strong communication skills

Advanced knowledge of Excel

Knowledge of Cybersecurity

Education

HNC degree or higher in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Wireshark

Omicron

Job description

About the role

Balfour Beatty is looking for a Senior Control Systems Engineer to join their Power Transmission & Distribution division based in Leeds. The main function of the role is to work as part of a team to design and develop Substation Control Systems design and configuration for electrical HV substation projects. The role requires proficiency in designing and developing distributed I/O systems, with a specific focus on Substation Control Systems. The ideal candidate demonstrates self‑motivation, a commitment to continuous learning, and the adaptability to meet project requirements. Balfour Beatty welcomes applications from both full‑time and part‑time candidates, including those interested in job‑sharing arrangements, and offers a flexible working policy to support a healthy work‑life balance.

What you'll be doing

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake design work relating directly to the Substation Control Systems design sector with the ability to produce and implement the configuration requirements (HMI, Graphics, I/O Production, etc.).
• Produce Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) documentation for the Substation Control System and fully test and perform client witness testing using both hardware and software.
• Understand and perform Type Registration FAT with the client’s presence.
• Understand the use and implementation of equipment such as GE, SAS & SEL.
• Attend site for client DSS’s, commissioning relating to the Control Systems and hold the Commissioning Passport.
• Work as part of the SSSC team as an On‑Call engineer, if required.
• Have knowledge of Cybersecurity and its implementation within the substation environment.
• Produce well‑written Functional Design Specifications, clearly demonstrating the intention of a solution to the client and team.
• Be proactive in finding solutions that align with customer specifications.
• Create and maintain good supplier and customer relationships to allow efficient solution development.

Who we're looking for

The Candidate

• Holds an HNC degree or higher in Electrical Engineering.
• Experience with SCADA type systems including Human Machine Interfaces (HMI).
• PLC programming experience including Ladder, Sequential Function Chart, Structured Text type development environments.
• Good understanding of electrical schematics.
• Knowledge of digital and analogue interfacing both hardware and software.
• Knowledge and experience of field bus architectures.
• Good verbal and written communication skills with the ability to handle customer comments and approval responses to support the project team.
• Experience in customer‑facing factory and site acceptance testing.
• Experience in the design and development of bills of materials for projects.
• Advanced knowledge of Excel.

Desirable but not essential

• Experience in the design and development of SCADA Control systems in the power, transmission, and distribution sector.
• Knowledge of Virtual Machine Environments.

Substation sequencing and interlocking

Substation communication systems

Microsoft VBA for development of Excel automation tools

Substation Cyber Security

Substation Cyber Security

• Experience with diagnostic and development tools including Wireshark and Omicron.
• Experience with LAN networks, communication architectures and configuration of industrial Ethernet switches, routers and satellite clocks.

Why work for us

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities. As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You’ll have the freedom to shape the package that’s right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:

• Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
• 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata).
• Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave.
• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…

About us

Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission & Distribution teams work with regional, national and international electricity network owners and operators to provide technical engineering solutions across the full spectrum of the electricity grid, including overhead lines, cabling, substations and distribution networks. From scoping and feasibility, to design, construction and on‑going maintenance, our in‑house experts, flexible resources and industry‑leading innovations support customers in the development of some of the UK’s most ambitious power transmission and distribution projects.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion.

We are a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long‑term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/.