Senior Electrical Engineer - Substation Design & Protection

Placements24; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Electrical Engineer (Substation Design & Protection) for Randburg, Gauteng. You will lead HV substation projects, specify protection systems, and ensure compliance with standards.

Requirements include a BEng, Pr.Eng registration, and 10+ years of HV experience. Strong leadership and client collaboration are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelors in Electrical Engineering is required with professional registration as Pr.Eng.
• Minimum 10 years in electrical engineering, 7+ in HV substation design and protection.
• Strong knowledge of substation components, protection schemes, and grids.

Responsibilities

• Lead design of high-voltage substations, including SLDs, schematics, grounding and layouts.
• Develop protection schemes, relay settings, and coordination studies.
• Select transformers, breakers, switchgear, and instrument transformers.
• Ensure designs meet NRS, IEC, IEEE standards and client specs.
• Perform load flow, fault analysis, and transient studies for substations.
• Review vendor designs and provide guidance to engineers and drafters.
• Mentor junior staff and collaborate with project managers and clients.
• Troubleshoot issues during construction, commissioning, and operation.
• Stay updated on new technologies and best practices in protection.

Skills

Leadership

Project engineering

Analytical skills

Communication

Problem solving

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

ETAP

DigSilent

CYME

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a major utility infrastructure developer, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Electrical Engineer specializing in Substation Design and Protection for their operations in Randburg, Gauteng . This critical role involves the conceptualization, design, and implementation of high-voltage substations and associated protection systems. The successful candidate will lead engineering efforts, ensure designs meet all safety and regulatory standards, and contribute to the modernization and expansion of the national grid. This position requires a deep understanding of power systems, substation components, and advanced protection schemes, coupled with strong project engineering and leadership skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design process for high-voltage substations, including single-line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, grounding, lighting, and layouts.
• Develop and specify protection schemes, relay settings, and coordination studies for various substation and network configurations.
• Select appropriate substation equipment, such as transformers, circuit breakers, switchgear, and instrument transformers.
• Ensure all designs comply with national and international standards (e.g., NRS, IEC, IEEE) and client specifications.
• Perform power system studies, including load flow, fault analysis, and transient stability, as they relate to substation design.
• Review technical proposals and designs from external vendors and contractors.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and designers.
• Collaborate with project managers, construction teams, and clients throughout the project lifecycle.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues during the construction, commissioning, and operational phases of substations.
• Stay current with new technologies and best practices in substation design and power system protection.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Professional registration as a Pr.Eng with ECSA is mandatory.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in electrical engineering, with at least 7 years focused on high-voltage substation design and power system protection.
• Expert knowledge of substation components, high-voltage equipment, and AC/DC power systems.
• Proven experience with protection relaying software and coordination studies (e.g., ETAP, DigSilent, CYME).
• Strong understanding of South African grid codes and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent project engineering skills, including managing scope, schedule, and budget.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.