Principal Electrical Design Engineer - Protection & Control

CompanyFreedom

LocationScotland, United Kingdom

Posted At11/4/2025

UK Visa Sponsorship Analytics

Analytics are greyed out due to low classification confidence (55.0%).

Occupation Type

Electrical engineers

Occupation Code Skill LevelHigher Skilled

Sponsorship Salary Threshold

£58,700 (£30.10 per hour)

Occupation rate applies

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Description

Scotland Region

Permanent – Full Time, hybrid

Salary Competitive + Car Allowance + Flexible Benefits

Summary:

This role involves designing and overseeing the implementation of protection schemes, control systems, and related equipment to ensure the safe and reliable operation of power networks, substations, and Transmissions and Distribution electrical infrastructure.

Position requires technical expertise and vast experience working in Transmission and Distribution sector for protection & control and Substation Automation system/SCADA design (from 11kV up to 400kV). Candidate should lead the design and specification of protection and control systems for electrical substations, powerplants, and transmission/distribution networks.

Roles & Responsibilities:

Candidate is responsible to develop protection settings, relay PSL files, coordination studies, including fault detection and isolation strategies.
Candidates should have complete knowledge of all TSO/DNO standards & specifications with respect to P&C Design & Calculations, as well as overall Substation Design Works. He/She should ensure compliance with relevant national and international standards (e.g., IEC, BS, IEEE) in protection system design.

Candidate should have good knowledge of substation primary design and substation equipment/switchgear specifications. He/She should ensure that the design meets safety standards and regulatory requirements, incorporating protection against electrical hazards, arc flash, and other safety concerns.

Design, implement and maintain SCADA/communication systems for a variety of clients in sectors including utilities, oil and gas, manufacturing, industrial automation and various other communication networks.

Configure and optimize network infrastructure & communication protocols such as IEC 61850; Distributed Network Protocol (DNP 3); Parallel Redundancy Protocol (PRP); Precision Time Protocol (PTP); Network Time Protocol (NTP); Simplified Network Time Protocol (NTP), Modbus, OPC, Profibus, etc for seamless integration with field devices, including RTUs, PLCs, IEDs, etc, also ensure stable connectivity between SCADA centres & remote sites, and configure secure VPNs & remote access protocols to allow for safe, off-site monitoring and control.

Understand client requirements & produce network architecture philosophy diagram, IED telecommunication diagram, SCADA & Telecommunications Panel design, Network IP allocation, I/O Schedules, Cable & Core schedules, etc.

Assist with the setup and commissioning of SCADA systems at client sites, troubleshoot field devices and network communication issues, perform preventive and corrective maintenance on SCADA infrastructure and associated hardware.

Efficiently design/develop the SCADA/communication systems (e.g., Ignition, Siemens WinCC, GE iFIX, etc) to ensure real-time data acquisition and control for critical infrastructure.

Provide remote support for troubleshooting SCADA system and network issues, ensuring minimal downtime and swift resolution of critical incidents.

Conduct system upgrades, testing, and validation for new features, components, and patches.

Implement cybersecurity measures to safeguard SCADA systems against emerging threats.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth integration and deployment of SCADA systems.

Candidate should have experience in tendering, pricing jobs, proposal creation. Candidate should be actively participating in work winning process.

Candidate should be capable of technically assessing engineering problems and critically evaluating a range of technical solutions.

Unwavering confidence in technically assessing engineering problems and critically evaluating a range of technical solutions will be instrumental in pursuit of engineering excellence.

Exemplary communication skills to demonstrate diligence, prioritize tasks effectively, and ensure a thorough understanding of relevant legislation, including CDM and ESQCR. This knowledge will be pivotal in managing Transmission and Distribution network.

Collaborate closely with other designers, construction professionals, and engineering teams.

Liaise effectively with the Power Systems, Primary and Civil design departments to ensure that all objectives are met and that the best possible design is submitted.

Review and provide constructive feedback on the reports and drawings done by Junior & Senior Engineers.

Provide technical leadership and mentoring to junior engineers in the design, analysis, and commissioning of protection systems.

What we’re looking for:

Experience: Extensive experience in electrical protection and control system design, Substation Automation and SCADA system typically 12-15 years, with a proven track record of delivering complex projects within the power sector.
Technical and Professional knowledge and experience associated with the role.
Candidate should have vast experience in crafting Single Line Diagrams, AC & DC Schematic Drawings, Panel General Arrangements, Panel Wiring Diagrams, Switchgear Termination/interconnection drawings, Block Cable Diagrams/Schedules, and performing cable specification/sizing calculations, battery sizing calculations, CT/VT sizing, multicore sizing, Relays CORTEC/specifications.

Candidate should have experience in testing & commissioning of P&C, SCADA/Communication/SAS panels. Should be able to Identify potential risks and failures within protection and SCADA systems and propose mitigation strategies.

Candidate should have good knowledge & experience working with AutoCAD.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering (typically 2:1 or above) in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, or a related field. A master’s degree may be preferred for senior roles.
Chartered Status (Preferred): Chartered Engineer (CEng) status with a professional body such as the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) or the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE) is highly desirable.
Certifications (Optional): Professional certifications such as NEBOSH for health and safety, or specific training in protection and control system design, may be beneficial.
Candidate should have experience working in Substation Automation System (SAS)/SCADA/communication system design.

Benefits:

We're always evolving our benefits to ensure we're attracting and retaining great people. Some of what you can expect includes:

Salary Competitive depending on experience/qualifications

Commercial Fleet Vehicle

Pension with a leading provider and employer contribution

25 Days Holiday plus Bank Holidays

Sick Pay

Personal Wellbeing and Volunteer Days

Private Medical Insurance

Free 24/7 365 Employee Assistance Program to support mental health and well-being (including counselling sessions and legal advice)

Flexible benefits to suit from Dental Insurance, Gym Memberships, Give As You Earn, Travel Insurance, Tax Free Bikes.

Personal development programme

Next Steps:

As a business, we’re on a journey to build on our culture where everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. This starts with recruitment and how we bring people into the organisation.

We’ll do our best to outline the recruitment process to you ahead of time with plenty of notice. If you require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure your needs are met.

About Us

Freedom are part of the NG Bailey Group, one of the leading independent engineering and services businesses in the UK. Founded in 1921, with a turnover of £500m and 3000 employees, we are proud of our history of developing great people through our investment in training.

Working across a variety of sectors within the building and infrastructure industry, our innovative, responsible and forward thinking approac

h allows us to work on fantastic ground-breaking projects, providing solutions using the latest tools and technologies

Progression is something we value and we will make sure that when you join us you have a clearly defined development path, supported by regular reviews, training and ongoing support to enable you to be the best you can be.

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