Senior Protection and Control Engineer

Suir Engineering; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in the UK is seeking a Senior Protection and Control Engineer to configure, test, and commission protection relays across high voltage substations. The role involves conducting grid fault analysis, supporting IEC 61850 implementations, and mentoring junior engineers. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s/Master’s in electrical engineering, over 6 years of relevant experience, and be willing to travel for project assignments in Ireland, the UK, and Europe. This position offers opportunities for significant career development in dynamic engineering teams.

Benefits

Paid maternity and paternity leave

Private health insurance contribution

Life and disability cover

Educational assistance and upskilling opportunities

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in protection and control engineering in HV substations or grid-connected systems.
• Strong understanding of protection principles and grid-fault behavior.
• Experience with SCADA system integration and RTU/Gateway configuration.

Responsibilities

• Lead the configuration, testing, and commissioning of protection relays.
• Conduct grid fault analysis and protection coordination using simulation software.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation for projects.

Skills

Protection and control engineering

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in electrical engineering

Tools

DIGSI

PCM600

ETAP

PSCAD

Job description

Lead the configuration, testing and commissioning of protection relays (Siemens, SEL, ABB, GE, Schneider, etc.) across MV to 400kV substations. Utilize advanced testing tools to validate relay settings, logic schemes and fault simulations. Be competent with relay configuration software such as DIGSI, PCM600, etc. to develop and manage protection schemes.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the design and implementation of IEC 61850, including GOOSE messaging, client/server communication and digital signal mapping.
• Conduct grid fault analysis, including short‑circuit analysis and protection coordination using ETAP, DIgSILENT or PSCAD.
• Collaborate with design, commissioning and client teams to assure high system performance, compliance and documentation standards.
• Drive standardisation and continuous improvement in protection settings, testing methodology and fault diagnostics.
• Mentor junior engineers and support engagement with academic institutions for technical knowledge‑sharing and curriculum development.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation: relay‑setting files, test reports, fault analysis and communication SLDs.
• Assist in the integration of protection systems into SCADA and RTU.
• Support the rollout of standardised procedures for protection settings, testing and fault reporting.
• Test HV apparatus such as power transformers, CTs and VTs as required.
• Stay current with evolving industry standards (IEC, EN, IEEE) and contribute to continuous‑improvement initiatives.
• Support universities and colleges in developing course material, laboratories and delivering technical presentations as required.

Benefits & Culture

• Paid maternity and paternity leave.
• Private health insurance contribution.
• Life and disability cover.
• EAP for employees and their families.
• Educational assistance, CPD, chartership support and upskilling opportunities.
• Opportunities for international assignments on European projects in Sweden, Denmark or Germany.
• Our way of working – the Suir Way – fosters continuous improvement.
• Our people are empowered to make changes that ensure a quality install through effective ways of working.
• Our people have a voice and feel empowered.
• We have an in‑built culture of innovation, learning and continuous improvement.
• Value is delivered at every step of the journey via efficient processes.
• We maintain a standard, consistent and fully integrated health, safety, environment and quality system.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in electrical engineering or a similar field.
• 6+ years of experience in protection and control engineering in HV substations or grid‑connected systems.
• Strong understanding of protection principles, grid‑fault behaviour and coordination methods.
• Familiarity with relay configuration software (e.g. Siemens DIGSI, SEL, Toshiba, ABB PCM600, GE, Schneider).
• Exposure to IEC 61850, including GOOSE and MMS protocols, strongly preferred.
• Clear communicator with strong problem‑solving skills and attention to detail.
• Willingness to travel to project sites across Ireland, the UK and Europe.
• Experience with SCADA system integration and RTU/Gateway configuration.
• Experience using simulation software (ETAP, PowerFactory or PSCAD) for fault and coordination studies.
• Familiarity with digital substations and signal‑based commissioning.
• Ability to interpret grid codes and utility interconnection requirements.
• Site‑based role therefore willingness to travel is a requirement.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Protection and Control Engineer to join our growing technical office; the role will be based on various sites. You will work alongside high‑calibre engineering teams on some of the most impactful energy infrastructure projects across Ireland and Europe.

Here in Suir Engineering we are a leading international provider of innovative Mechanical, Electrical and Instrumentation Engineering Solutions. Our core sectors are Energy, Power and Renewables, Pharma, Food & Beverage and Data Centres. We provide best‑in‑class contracting solutions with in‑house, flexible resources capable of delivering a personable and consistent service to our customers. Over the past 40 years we have delivered projects for Irish and multinational clients across the globe. We are currently expanding significantly, delivering large‑scale projects across Ireland, the U.K, Germany, Denmark and Sweden.

Suir Engineering is an equal‑opportunities employer; we value our greatest asset – our people.