Specialist Lead, Protection Specialist

Electricity Supply Board; Leinster; Hybrid; EUR 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentoring and training

Diversity and inclusion

Staff well-being programmes

Flexible working

Job summary

Electricity Supply Board (ESB) is seeking a Protection Specialist within Transmission and Distribution Engineering to lead commissioning and protection testing for diverse project groups. The role drives infrastructure development and supports substation commissioning, protection maintenance and generation protection teams, with international collaboration.

The position offers site and travel flexibility within Ireland, with responsibility for developing test routines, protecting relay schemes,

Qualifications

• Third level engineering qualification or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum 7 years in transmission and distribution protection engineering.
• Hands-on commissioning, maintenance and fault investigation of electrical assets.
• Understanding of ESB Networks and ESB Generation & Trading protection philosophy.
• Experience with protection testing and commissioning engineering test kits.
• Active involvement in international engineering organisations (CIGRÉ, IEEE, IET).

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate leadership and expertise in transmission and generation protection.
• Develop protection relay 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.

Skills

Leadership

Protection testing

Self-motivation

Flexibility

Team training

Communication

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Protection test kits

Data management systems

Job description

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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

• 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
• 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 tonet zero carbon future
• Career developmentthrough mentoring andtraining
• Corporate Social Responsibility Opportunities
• Sports and Social Clubs
• Networking opportunities
• Credit Union
• Access to staff well‑beingprogrammes
• 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

Closing Date

08th October 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:

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.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

ESB is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all sections of society and ensure that no one is discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion or belief, ethnicity or nationality, disability, age, citizenship, marital status, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other basis as protected by law.

Applicants who anticipate requiring assistance or reasonable accommodations for any part of the application or interview process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail].

About ESB

Join us in our mission to achieve a net‑zero electricity system by 2040. ESB is Ireland’s leading energy utility, with activities spanning electricity generation, transmission and distribution, energy supply, energy services and international consultancy. Operating in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain, we invest over €1 billion each year to deliver a new energy future based on reliable, affordable zero‑carbon electricity.