Specialist Lead, Protection Specialist

ESB; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 71,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Pension

Staff well-being programmes

Job summary

ESB invites applications for a Protection Specialist in Transmission and Distribution Engineering. The role leads protection testing, commissioning and maintenance activities, driving the development of infrastructure and expertise across substation projects and generation protection.

The position involves international travel and working with ESB Networks and Generation & Trading protection philosophies. Based in Dublin or Cork, with smart working and flexible arrangements subject to manager

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or equivalent in engineering.
• Minimum 7 years in transmission and distribution protection engineering.
• Hands-on commissioning experience for transmission and generation assets.
• Good understanding of protection philosophy, schemes and practices (ESB).
• Knowledge of protection testing and commissioning engineering test kits.
• Commitment to operational safety.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and execution of protection engineering and relay testing for substations.
• Develop protection relay test routines and support tools for current and future technologies.
• Develop and maintain data management infrastructure for protection/commissioning.
• Lead training and technical development in protection technology.
• Provide site support to commissioning, protection maintenance and generation protection.
• Document owner of protection procedures for substation commissioning and generation protection.

Skills

Protection engineering

Commissioning

Maintenance

Fault investigation

Protection testing

Safety

Leadership

Independent working

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Protection test kits

Job description

The Protection Specialist in Transmission and Distribution Engineering (TDE) provides a commissioning and protection testing service for various EMP project delivery groups.

The role also develops the infrastructure that enables these services. The Protection Specialist delivers important support to the substation commissioning teams, the protection maintenance teams and the generation engineering team in delivering services. The role is as leader in the field, driving the development and expertise of the commissioning and protection maintenance teams.

International travel, travel within Ireland, and participation in international conferences and working groups is a feature of this role. The role is key in helping TDE deliver the ESB strategic objective of building resilient infrastructure and empowering customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Demonstrate leadership and expertise in transmission and generation protection
• Develop protection relay/scheme test routines and support tools for current and future protection and control technologies
• Develop and maintain substation commissioning, protection maintenance and generation protection data management infrastructure
• Lead training and technical development in protection technology
• Provide site support to substation commissioning, protection maintenance and generation protection
• Document owner of protection procedures for substation commissioning and generation protection
• Stay informed on new developments in protection technology

Experience And Qualifications

Essential

• Third level engineering qualification or equivalent work experience
• A minimum of 7 years relevant experience in transmission and distribution protection engineering
• Competence in commissioning, maintenance and fault investigation of electrical assets in transmission and generating stations, with hands‑on commissioning experience and a detailed understanding of ESB Networks and ESB Generation & Trading protection philosophy, schemes and practices
• A good understanding of protection testing and commissioning engineering test kits
• Comprehensive experience of operational safety
• Ability to develop protection relay test routines and procedures
• Self-motivated with the ability to work under own initiative
• Ability to accept responsibility and demonstrate a high level of commitment and flexibility

Desirable

• Technical publications at reputable international conferences
• Active involvement in international engineering organisations such as CIGRÉ, IEEE and IET (e.g. participation in Working Groups)
• Chartered Engineer status
• Experience with data management solutions
• Experience in delivering of international projects

Location

This position will be based either in the Engineering and Major Projects office in Dublin or in Cork.

ESB is committed to smart working – combining digital tools with a culture of trust and empowerment to enable flexible ways of working. The successful candidate may work flexibly within their jurisdiction with attendance at the workplace for in‑person collaboration on at least two anchor days per week. All smart working arrangements are subject to manager approval and ongoing review, based on the operational requirements of the role, the team, and the individual.

Reporting To

The position will report to the Manager, Substation Design Standards, Transmission and Distribution Engineering in Engineering and Major Projects.

Why Work with Us?

• Opportunity to lead Ireland’s transition to net zero carbon future
• Career development through mentoring and training
• 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

€71,000 - €84,000 per annum

Closing Date

08th October 2026

Interview

• 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.