Senior Secondary Design Engineer | Dublin

Kirby Group Engineering; Ireland; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Kirby Group Engineering is seeking an experienced HV Secondary Design Engineer to join our Power & Renewables team in delivering high‑voltage infrastructure projects across Ireland and Europe. You will design protection and control for HV substations, ensuring safe, reliable operation and compliance with industry standards.

The role involves creating wiring designs, documentation, and integration with SCADA systems, while collaborating with engineers, consultants, and stakeholders to resolve

Qualifications

• Experience in HV substation secondary design, protection and control engineering.
• A strong understanding of electrical protection systems, control philosophies and power system fundamentals.
• Experience producing detailed secondary design documentation and protection schematics.
• Knowledge of SCADA integration and substation automation systems.
• Familiarity with relevant industry standards including IEC, IEEE, ANSI, EirGrid and SONI requirements.
• Experience reviewing and validating third-party consultant designs.
• Knowledge of testing, commissioning and system integration activities.
• Proficiency in design software such as EPLAN, AutoCAD and related engineering tools.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Preparing HV substation secondary wiring designs and detailed technical documentation.
• Producing panel layouts, LV and DC distribution designs, control schematics and protection drawings for HV substations.
• Designing protection and control systems that ensure the safe and reliable operation of substation equipment.
• Developing protection philosophies, schemes and logic to safeguard critical network assets.
• Supporting the integration of protection and control systems with SCADA and substation automation systems.
• Designing robust and resilient solutions with appropriate levels of redundancy and reliability.
• Ensuring designs comply with IEC, IEEE, ANSI, EirGrid, SONI and other relevant industry standards.
• Supporting the safe design and operation of systems under normal, abnormal and fault conditions.
• Reviewing consultant and third-party secondary designs to ensure technical compliance and project requirements are met.
• Collaborating with project engineers to manage design review schedules, comments and client submissions.
• Engaging directly with consultants and stakeholders to resolve technical queries and drive successful outcomes.
• Supporting factory acceptance testing, site testing, commissioning and troubleshooting activities.
• Working closely with electrical, civil, commissioning and project delivery teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Providing technical support to clients and ensuring solutions meet operational requirements.
• Assisting with fault investigations, protection system issues and maintenance activities.
• Contributing to system upgrades, network modifications and the implementation of new technologies.
• Supporting the development and training of engineers, technicians and wider project teams.

Skills

HV substation design

Protection systems

SCADA integration

Substation automation

Design documentation

Design software

Communication

Problem solving

Tools

EPLAN

AutoCAD

Job description

• Permanent position available with a considerable portfolio of works for the next 5+ years
• To build your career by assisting in the delivery of 'leading edge' engineering projects.
• To work with a vibrant, agile and multi-functional team in delivering projects on time, safely, to budget and to the required quality standards.
• To benefit from Kirby's Career Development Programmes that will enhance your leadership capability.
• To work with the best.
• Excellent package on offer with room for negotiations

About Kirby Group Engineering

Kirby Group Engineering is an international multi-disciplinary engineering services contractor and leading provider of high-value engineering services to a number of 'blue chip' companies. Operating across Ireland, the UK, Europe and South Africa, Kirby has become the engineering service provider of choice in growth segments such as pharmaceuticals, data centres and power transmission and distribution. Our culture is innovative, collaborative and performance focused. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to grow and develop in a company committed to developing talent and rewarding performance.

HV Secondary Design Engineer

Join Kirby Group Engineering and play a key role in delivering critical high-voltage infrastructure projects that power industries, communities, and economies.

We’re looking for an experienced HV Secondary Design Engineer to join our growing Power & Renewables team. This is an opportunity to work on some of the most significant grid and energy projects across Ireland and Europe, helping to design the protection, control and automation systems that sit at the heart of modern electrical networks.

What You'll Be Doing

• Preparing HV substation secondary wiring designs and detailed technical documentation.
• Producing panel layouts, LV and DC distribution designs, control schematics and protection drawings for HV substations.
• Designing protection and control systems that ensure the safe and reliable operation of substation equipment.
• Developing protection philosophies, schemes and logic to safeguard critical network assets.
• Supporting the integration of protection and control systems with SCADA and substation automation systems.
• Designing robust and resilient solutions with appropriate levels of redundancy and reliability.
• Ensuring designs comply with IEC, IEEE, ANSI, EirGrid, SONI and other relevant industry standards.
• Supporting the safe design and operation of systems under normal, abnormal and fault conditions.
• Reviewing consultant and third-party secondary designs to ensure technical compliance and project requirements are met.
• Collaborating with project engineers to manage design review schedules, comments and client submissions.
• Engaging directly with consultants and stakeholders to resolve technical queries and drive successful outcomes.
• Supporting factory acceptance testing, site testing, commissioning and troubleshooting activities.
• Working closely with electrical, civil, commissioning and project delivery teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Providing technical support to clients and ensuring solutions meet operational requirements.
• Assisting with fault investigations, protection system issues and maintenance activities.
• Contributing to system upgrades, network modifications and the implementation of new technologies.
• Supporting the development and training of engineers, technicians and wider project teams.

What We're Looking For

• Experience in HV substation secondary design, protection and control engineering.
• A strong understanding of electrical protection systems, control philosophies and power system fundamentals.
• Experience producing detailed secondary design documentation and protection schematics.
• Knowledge of SCADA integration and substation automation systems.
• Familiarity with relevant industry standards including IEC, IEEE, ANSI, EirGrid and SONI requirements.
• Experience reviewing and validating third-party consultant designs.
• Knowledge of testing, commissioning and system integration activities.
• Proficiency in design software such as EPLAN, AutoCAD and related engineering tools.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Why Join Kirby Group Engineering?

At Kirby Group Engineering, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We foster a genuine one-team culture where collaboration, mentorship and continuous development are part of everyday life.

You'll work alongside some of the industry's most talented engineers on complex and technically challenging projects that are helping to shape the future of energy infrastructure.

In return, you'll benefit from:

• The opportunity to work on major HV transmission and renewable energy projects.
• Career progression within a market-leading engineering organisation.
• Ongoing professional development and technical training.
• Exposure to cutting-edge technologies and industry-leading projects.
• A supportive, collaborative and people-first culture.

Kirby Group Engineering is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of race, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age.