Senior Protection and Control Engineer

FairPlay Engineering; Porto; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Premium Relocation Package

Visa sponsorship

Job summary

FairPlay Engineering is seeking a Senior/Lead Protection and Control Engineer to design protection and control schemes for high-voltage substations. You will work in a multidisciplinary international team, delivering reliable, safe substation solutions from concept through to completion.

The role requires 3–6 years of HV P&C experience, knowledge of IEC/IEEE/ANSI standards, and familiarity with DIgSILENT, EPLAN, ETAP or PSCAD.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Between 3 and 6 years of experience in Protection and Control engineering within high-voltage substation environments.
• Experience with electrical engineering software such as DIgSILENT, EPLAN, ETAP, or PSCAD. ELCAD and AUCOPLAN experience is a strong advantage.
• Solid familiarity with international standards including IEC, IEEE, and ANSI. Experience with IEC 61850 system design and configuration is an advantage.
• The ability to work independently, manage deadlines effectively, and coordinate across multidisciplinary international project teams.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage confidently with clients, contractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Designing Protection and Control systems including protection schemes, control and automation systems, and telecommunications for high-voltage substations.
• Preparing technical documentation including single line diagrams, trip matrices, schematic and wiring diagrams, logic diagrams and IO lists, panel layouts, terminal wiring diagrams, control and LV cable lists, cable routing layouts, load lists, AC and DC calculations, battery and diesel generator sizing calculations, and telecommunication block schematics.
• Selecting and specifying equipment including protection relays, meters, communication devices, and control panels.
• Coordinating with primary engineers to ensure seamless integration of primary and Protection and Control systems across the full substation design.
• Supporting protection coordination studies to ensure system reliability and safety compliance.
• Participating in site visits and inspections to verify compliance with design specifications and applicable standards.
• Collaborating with clients, contractors, and stakeholders to resolve technical issues and support project delivery.

Skills

Protection and control design

HV substation experience

International project coordination

Strong communication skills

English fluency

Education

Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

DIgSILENT

EPLAN

ETAP

PSCAD

ELCAD

AUCOPLAN

Job description

You have built solid Protection and Control engineering experience across high-voltage substation projects and you are ready to take the next step in your career. If designing protection, control, automation, and telecommunications systems for complex HV infrastructure within a technically driven international team is where you do your best work, this role deserves your attention.

Company Information

Our client is a well-established engineering organisation specialising in high-voltage substation infrastructure across international markets. Their engineering teams work closely with primary engineers, project managers, and clients to deliver complex substation designs from concept through to completion. Collaboration, technical excellence, and strict adherence to industry standards are central to how they operate and the Protection and Control engineering team plays a critical role in every project they deliver.

Vacancy Information

As Senior or Lead Protection and Control Engineer, you will be responsible for the design and engineering of Protection and Control systems within high-voltage substations. You will work within a multidisciplinary team environment, coordinating closely with primary engineers and project stakeholders to ensure reliable, safe, and efficient substation solutions are delivered to the required standard.

Your work will span the full scope of Protection and Control systems including protection schemes, control and automation, and telecommunications across international HV substation projects. From early design documentation through to site inspections and client engagement, you will have genuine technical ownership of your deliverables throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Designing Protection and Control systems including protection schemes, control and automation systems, and telecommunications for high-voltage substations.
• Preparing technical documentation including single line diagrams, trip matrices, schematic and wiring diagrams, logic diagrams and IO lists, panel layouts, terminal wiring diagrams, control and LV cable lists, cable routing layouts, load lists, AC and DC calculations, battery and diesel generator sizing calculations, and telecommunication block schematics.
• Selecting and specifying equipment including protection relays, meters, communication devices, and control panels.
• Coordinating with primary engineers to ensure seamless integration of primary and Protection and Control systems across the full substation design.
• Supporting protection coordination studies to ensure system reliability and safety compliance.
• Participating in site visits and inspections to verify compliance with design specifications and applicable standards.
• Collaborating with clients, contractors, and stakeholders to resolve technical issues and support project delivery.

What You Need

• Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Between 3 and 6 years of experience in Protection and Control engineering within high-voltage substation environments, with strong working knowledge of protection schemes, control systems, and telecommunications.
• Experience with electrical engineering software such as DIgSILENT, EPLAN, ETAP, or PSCAD. ELCAD and AUCOPLAN experience is a strong advantage.
• Solid familiarity with international standards including IEC, IEEE, and ANSI. Experience with IEC 61850 system design and configuration is an advantage.
• The ability to work independently, manage deadlines effectively, and coordinate across multidisciplinary international project teams.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage confidently with clients, contractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.

If you do not meet every requirement but have a strong background in high-voltage Protection and Control engineering and a genuine interest in this field, we still encourage you to apply. The right combination of technical experience, motivation, and willingness to grow can make you a strong candidate.

Relocation

This position is based in the Netherlands and will require relocation. We understand that making an international move is a significant decision and we are here to make that process as straightforward as possible.

As part of your contract, FairPlay Engineering provides a Premium Relocation Package. This includes visa sponsorship, guidance before your move, and dedicated support from a relocation consultant throughout the process. You can find more information on the Relocating with us page on our website.