Senior Professional Electrical Engineer, Substation Control Systems

ESB; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 59,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

Generous Pension

Staff well-being programmes

Credit Union

Career development

Job summary

ESB is seeking a Senior Substation Control Engineer to lead design and integration of control systems for high voltage substations in Ireland. The role combines technical design with project management, testing, and on-site support to ensure timely delivery and compliance with safety standards.

The successful candidate will coordinate complex projects, mentor junior engineers, and travel to project locations as required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in a utility or industrial environment with a background in specification, design, integration and testing of substation control systems, RTUs, or PLCs.
• Knowledge of substation control system protocols, e.g. IEC 60870-5-101, 103, 104 and IEC61850.
• A full driving license and access to a car.
• A strong work ethic with a clear focus on delivery to ESB’s safety, time, quality and cost objectives.
• Strong commercial and project management capability.

Responsibilities

• Develop bespoke substation control system designs and configurations for ESB Networks and international clients.
• Conduct and oversee factory and site acceptance testing across automation and substation control system products.
• Produce technical specifications, undertake tender evaluations, complete preliminary designs, integrate and test substation control systems (ABB MicroSCADA, Siemens SICAM).
• Provide technical support to colleagues in substation control system design, including on-site and test lab support.
• Manage performance to ensure high delivery levels, meet client requirements, and control costs and margins.

Skills

Project management

Technical design

Safety procedures

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Level 8 NFQ qualification or equivalent work experience

Tools

RTUs

PLCs

Substation control systems

IEC 61850

IEC 60870-5

Job description

A Brighter, zero carbon future awaits!

The HV Substations Delivery department in Networks Engineering, ESB Engineering & Major Projects is the centre of engineering design and project delivery for ESB’s Transmission & Distribution substation deliverables.

The Commissioning & Substation Control Systems (SCS) group is a key part of High Voltage Substation Delivery Group, whose responsibilities include developing Specifications, Scoping, Designs & Pre-commissioning of SCADA Systems for high voltage transmission and distribution assets of ESB Networks.

The Senior Substation Control Engineer will be required to have a strong project management and technical design background, detailed knowledge of safety procedures and strong communication and problem-solving skills.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities will cover the items below:

• Development of bespoke substation control system designs and system configurations for ESB Networks and international clients
• Conduct and oversee factory and site acceptance testing across a suite of automation and substation control system products
• Produce technical specifications, undertake tender technical evaluations, complete preliminary designs, fully integrate and test substation Control Systems for ESB’s ABB MicroSCADA and Siemens SICAM systems.
• Provide technical support to colleagues in the area of substation control system design, including regular on-site and test lab in-person support as required.
• Manage their performance to ensure consistent high levels of delivery, meeting clients' requirements, delivery dates and the commercial performance of projects with regard to controlling costs and contribution margins.
• Undertake rostered on-call support services for ESB Networks suite of Substation Control Systems.

Knowledge, Skills And Experience

Working as part of this dynamic team, you will always have new challenges and new problems to solve – working together is key. You will have the autonomy to choose how best to tackle tasks and solve problems with the support of your colleagues.

Essential

• 5 years' plus relevant experience in a utility or industrial environment with a background in specification, design, integration and testing of substation control systems, remote terminal units (RTUs), or industrial programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
• Knowledge of substation control system protocols, e.g. IEC 60870-5-101, 103, 104 and IEC61850.
• A full driving license and access to a car.
• A strong work ethic with a clear focus on delivery to ESB’s safety, time, quality and cost objectives.
• Strong commercial and project management capability.
• The ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities.
• The ability to technically mentor junior team members.
• A flexible approach to work, especially where necessary to deliver excellent customer service.

Desirable

• Experience in substation telecommunications, or power system studies is beneficial, but not required.
• Candidate must have good English verbal and written communication skills, be willing to travel internationally and work successfully in a customer focused, project-oriented environment.

Qualifications

Essential

• Level 8 NFQ qualification or equivalent work experience is essential.

Location

This role is based in the ESB E&MP Dublin or Cork office but regular travel to project locations as required is a key requirement of the role.

ESB is committed to offering flexibility in ways of working and we call that Smart Working – combining digital tools with a culture of trust and empowerment to enable flexible and remote ways of working.

The successful candidate may combine remote / smart working within the jurisdiction, with attendance at base for in-person collaboration, at least two days per week

General

It is not anticipated that a staff member still on probation will be eligible to apply for a promotional vacancy.

Typically, an individual must have completed their probation and should have at least two years’ experience in their current role before being eligible to apply for a promotion.

An application from a staff member who does not meet the above criteria must have the approval of both the senior line manager and the HRM within the BU before progressing to application.

Note: For staff currently on non-monthly pay frequency, any promotion to Bands 5 and above will result in a change in pay frequency to monthly.

Reporting to

Reporting to the Senior Team leader, Substation Control System Team HVSD.

Why Work with Us?

• Opportunity to lead Ireland’s transition tonet zero carbon future
• Progressive, hybrid working model
• Career developmentthrough mentoring andtraining
• Corporate Social Responsibility Opportunities
• Sports and Social Clubs
• Networking opportunities
• Credit Union
• Generous Pension
• Access to staff well-being programmes
• Generous parental leave entitlements
• Strong values-based and inclusive culture
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
• Great team environment working to our Core Values: Courageous, Caring, Driven and Trusted

Salary

€59,000 - €70,000 per annum

Closing Date

25th September 2026

Interview

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will complete a Behavioural Interview based on each of the following Behaviours, which underpin how we work at ESB and are critical to delivering our strategy:

• Accountable and Ethical
• Collaborative
• Growing and Adaptive
• Proactive
• Respectful and Supportive

More information available on Our People Promise

Notes

Your application will be held in reserve for 6 months should you be suitable for the role.

The successful candidate will be required to evidence their right to work in the Republic of Ireland / UK prior to commencement of employment.