Senior Electrical Engineer - Substation Design & Protection

Placements24; Southampton; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical and retirement benefits

Performance-based incentives

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Electrical Engineer specializing in Substation Design and Protection for high-voltage projects in Randburg, Gauteng. You will lead design, protection coordination studies, and stakeholder liaison to deliver safe, compliant substations.

Applicants should have a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering, Pr.Eng registration, 10+ years of relevant experience, and a strong track record in HV equipment, protection schemes, and grid standards. Willingness to travel is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Professional registration as Pr.Eng with ECSA is mandatory.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in electrical engineering, with at least 7 years focused on high-voltage substation design and power system protection.
• Expert knowledge of substation components, high-voltage equipment, and AC/DC power systems.
• Proven experience with protection relaying software and coordination studies (ETAP, DigSilent, CYME).
• Strong understanding of South African grid codes and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent project engineering skills, including managing scope, schedule, and budget.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Must be willing to travel to project sites within Gauteng and occasionally beyond.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design process for high-voltage substations, including single-line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, grounding, lighting, and layouts.
• Develop and specify protection schemes, relay settings, and coordination studies for various substation and network configurations.
• Select appropriate substation equipment, such as transformers, circuit breakers, switchgear, and instrument transformers.
• Ensure all designs comply with national and international standards (e.g., NRS, IEC, IEEE) and client specifications.
• Perform power system studies, including load flow, fault analysis, and transient stability, as they relate to substation design.
• Review technical proposals and designs from external vendors and contractors.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and designers.
• Collaborate with project managers, construction teams, and clients throughout the project lifecycle.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues during the construction, commissioning, and operational phases of substations.
• Stay current with new technologies and best practices in substation design and power system protection.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Pr.Eng registration (ECSA)

Tools

ETAP

DigSilent

CYME

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major utility infrastructure developer, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Electrical Engineer specializing in Substation Design and Protection for their operations in Randburg, Gauteng . This critical role involves the conceptualization, design, and implementation of high-voltage substations and associated protection systems. The successful candidate will lead engineering efforts, ensure designs meet all safety and regulatory standards, and contribute to the modernization and expansion of the national grid. This position requires a deep understanding of power systems, substation components, and advanced protection schemes, coupled with strong project engineering and leadership skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design process for high-voltage substations, including single-line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, grounding, lighting, and layouts.
• Develop and specify protection schemes, relay settings, and coordination studies for various substation and network configurations.
• Select appropriate substation equipment, such as transformers, circuit breakers, switchgear, and instrument transformers.
• Ensure all designs comply with national and international standards (e.g., NRS, IEC, IEEE) and client specifications.
• Perform power system studies, including load flow, fault analysis, and transient stability, as they relate to substation design.
• Review technical proposals and designs from external vendors and contractors.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and designers.
• Collaborate with project managers, construction teams, and clients throughout the project lifecycle.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues during the construction, commissioning, and operational phases of substations.
• Stay current with new technologies and best practices in substation design and power system protection.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Professional registration as a Pr.Eng with ECSA is mandatory.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in electrical engineering, with at least 7 years focused on high-voltage substation design and power system protection.
• Expert knowledge of substation components, high-voltage equipment, and AC/DC power systems.
• Proven experience with protection relaying software and coordination studies (e.g., ETAP, DigSilent, CYME).
• Strong understanding of South African grid codes and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent project engineering skills, including managing scope, schedule, and budget.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Must be willing to travel to project sites within Gauteng and occasionally beyond.

Benefits

Our client offers a highly competitive salary, comprehensive medical and retirement benefits, and potential for performance-based incentives. This role presents significant opportunities for professional growth and leadership within a reputable engineering firm. You will be involved in landmark infrastructure projects crucial to South Africa's energy development. The company culture emphasizes technical excellence, safety, and career development for its employees in Gauteng .