Senior Protection & Control Engineer - Transmission & Distribution (Birmingham, UK)

Burns & McDonnell; Park Central; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Burns & McDonnell UK is seeking a senior Protection & Control engineer to lead P&C design packages for 11kV to 400kV projects, with emphasis on 132kV and above, and to act as Lead Project Engineer on multidisciplinary teams.

You will provide technical authority, guidance to engineers, and ensure compliance with ENA/BS/IEC/IEEE standards, National Grid procedures, and the Burns & McDonnell IMS.

Job description

To act in a senior technical capacity in producing Burns & McDonnell's UK engineering-related project deliverables relating to power system Protection & Control (P&C), within the (power) Transmission & Distribution Global Practice. This includes (but not limited to): Undertaking senior and lead technical roles on project specific multi-disciplinary engineering teams;

• Being a senior technical authority on P&C engineering within the wider company;
• Supporting the Protection & Control Section Manager in growing and enhancing the P&C Section engineering capability in the UK business; and providing guidance and mentorship to less experienced engineers with the engineering team, particularly those in the P&C Section.
• Lead successful output of P&C engineering deliverables in the UK business, working with the P&C Section Manager to determine suitable P&C engineering personnel from across our global offices, as required.
• Be a lead technical role on P&C design project deliverables, ranging from 11kV up to 400kV (with a particular emphasis on 132kV voltages and above), including undertaking the role of Lead Project Engineer on project teams, as required and when appropriate.
• Produce detailed electricity substation P&C design packages, compliant to required client and national technical standards (ENA/BS/IEC/IEEE etc.).
• Power system studies (fault level and load flow) required to determine protection settings requirements and production of various relay protection files, as required.
• Prepare calculations and technical/equipment specification documentation.
• Execute complex assignments requiring the use of advanced techniques, resulting in the development of new or improved processes, equipment, and/or technological methods.
• Undertake consultancy role on FEED stage projects, including production of technical reports and presentations.
• Maintain compliance to CDM Regulations and all other legal and regulatory requirements associated with the nature of substation/P&C and electrical system design.
• Undertake technical quality assurance reviews and provide design approval/sign-off, as required, on P&C related designs and deliverables.
• Work closely with other sections with the UK T&D Engineering Team, particularly the Substation Section and Distribution Section, to enable effective collaboration on multi-disciplinary projects and facilitate an optimal engineering function in the UK business.
• Maintain technical compliance to applicable Burns & McDonnell and client design management standards, processes, and procedures on all work delivered.
• Assist with developing and implementing policies, processes, procedures, standards, and technical guidance, as required, to continually improve the engineering capability within the P&C Section.
• Plan and lead client meetings (or meeting sections) relating to P&C, as required.
• Where appropriate and required relating the P&C work, act as Contractor Design Approval Engineer (CDAE), as defined by National Grid's TP137 procedure, or equivalent role as defined by other clients.
• Where appropriate and required, act as TP141 Protection Setting Engineer, as defined by National Grid's TP141 and TP107 procedures.
• Support the preparation of project proposals and tender presentations.
• Drive 'Safety by Design' approach on all projects, at all times.
• Support nurturing of a safety and technical excellence culture through emphasis on staff competence, diligence, and responsible attitude.
• Understanding wider industry best practices and client technical standards/procedures for construction, operations & maintenance, and decommissioning, in order to drive safety, constructability, and operability throughout whole asset lifecycles.
• Maintain project compliance to Burns & McDonnell's UK Integrated Management System (IMS).
• Support nurturing of world-class customer service culture, to drive client success.
• Be an ambassador for Burns & McDonnell at all times through acting in accordance with expected high ethical and moral standards, and in adherence to Burns & McDonnell Code of Conduct.
• Provide support for continued professional development of less experienced engineers in team, including technical guidance, and recommending training needs to the P&C Section Manager.
• Actively support marketing and business development activities, building relationships with client technical contacts to aid generating new business, and elevation of the Burns & McDonnell brand.
• Identifying new skills and competencies required within the Burns & McDonnell team to meet business needs and actively supporting development and recruitment of talent, including candidate interviewing.
• Act as an industry technical leader in P&C design and contribute to relevant professional bodies and industry groups. Maintain Continued Professional Development (CPD).
• Support or lead portions of section meetings.
• Interpret and support with establishing policies, procedures, and strategic goals of the organisation.
• Assist in determining section objectives and requirements, organise projects and develop standards and guidelines.
• Demonstrate creativity, foresight, and judgment in anticipating and solving problems.
• Advance and develop P&C Section tools and workflows to increase efficiency of designs, specification development, and project execution.
• Undertake other duties and responsibilities as may reasonably be asked of this position by management.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering (or related field) required AND
• Minimum of 7 years of protection & control engineering design experience in the electricity transmission & distribution sector, with at least 5 of those years being on UK transmission system related projects (required) OR
• Master's degree in engineering (or related field) and 6 years of relevant experience.
• Knowledge of engineering design management best practices with ability to implement this knowledge
• Understanding of the requirements of relevant UK Health & Safety legislation relating to design and construction work in the electricity supply industry.
• Understanding of the requirements of relevant UK Environmental and Waste Management legislation.
• Thorough understanding of current Construction (Design & Management) Regulations.
• Experience of working in a lead substation design role on National Grid Electricity Transmission projects in the UK and acting as a TP137 CDAE for Protection & Control and as the TP141 Protection Settings Engineer.
• Good knowledge of National Grid's procedures: TP106, TP107, TP131, TP135, TP137, TP141, TP153, TP163, TP183, TP184, TP188, TP189, TP191, TP211, TP215, TP235, TP241.
• Thorough knowledge and experience applying National Grids Technical Specification, Technical Guidance Notes, and Design Handbooks relating to substation protection & control in the UK.
• Understanding of the causes and consequences of Impressed Voltage.
• Understanding of the general requirements of procedural control of Temporary Works, in accordance with British Standards.
• IT literate, with good knowledge of using Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge of applying CAD technology/software to substation and P&C design and strong understanding of BIM principles (PAS 1192 and ISO 16950)
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills.
• Strong persuasion and negotiation skills with clients and employees.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to deal effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders across clients, industry, government and public.
• Able to manage tasks on multiple projects and conflicting deadlines.
• Able to work autonomously and/or as part of a project team.
• Pro-active in building knowledge and understanding of the electricity transmission and distribution industry.
• Capability to coach and develop the team.
• Engaged in the engineering community and how we can drive success for our clients.
• Ability to develop innovative and practical solutions to a range of problems, and an understanding of how one issue may be part of a much larger solution.
• Ability to make an effective and collaborative contribution to the team through sharing knowledge, promoting ideas, and valuing the contribution of all team members.
• Chart your own course and change the world - with the support of people whose interests are aligned with yours. At Burns & McDonnell, opportunity is waiting. We're looking for people with big ideas and an entrepreneurial mindset. It's those kinds of people who've helped us grow from a small consulting business back in 1898 to a global leader in engineering, architecture and construction solutions. Today, we're a thriving company with more than 10,000 professionals working in 75 offices worldwide and recognised as a leader in transmission & distribution services.