Protection Design Interface Engineer

Location/s: Brighton, Croydon, Glasgow , York 
Relocation supported:  Not supported, but internal applications are welcome
Recruiter contact: Abhijeet Barpanda
Hiring manager contact: Ian Kirkpatrick

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. 

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual. 

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About the business unit  
The Energy unit delivers services to clients globally across several sectors including hydropower, nuclear, waste, renewable generation and transmission & distribution networks. Together we provide integrated engineering and project management services across the project lifecycle – from concept and design to construction and operations, to decommissioning or repowering and life extension. Together with our clients, we’re helping to deliver the energy transition globally. 

Overview of role

The Energy Unit, specifically the Transmission & Distribution division are recruiting for a Secondary Design Interface Engineer to join our team. Our work is varied and spans across all forms of Renewable Power Generation, Network Design, Grid Connections, Net Zero Carbon aspirations and Estate Management Planning.  We also provide detailed design solutions in the renewables, aviation, data centre, healthcare, nuclear and defence sectors.

Job description: 

The Secondary Design Interface Engineer will play a crucial role in the design and implementation of secondary systems within HV electrical substations. This position involves coordinating with various stakeholders, ensuring compliance with industry standards, and optimizing the design process to enhance system reliability and performance.

Typical activities include:

• Design Coordination: Collaborate with primary design engineers, project managers, and other stakeholders to develop comprehensive secondary system designs.
• Technical Specifications: Prepare and review technical specifications, drawings, and documentation for substation secondary systems, including protection, control, and communication systems.
• Drawings Preparation: Prepare interface circuit diagrams, wiring diagrams, cable schedules, block diagrams, and room layouts.
• Calculations: Calculate battery sizes, voltage drop and cable sizing.
• HV Equipment Familiarity: HV plant equipment at 132kV, 275kV, and 400kV for AIS & GIS substations. 
• SCADA Systems: Knowledge of SCADA systems and I/O interface. 
• Compliance and Standards: Ensure all designs comply with relevant industry and client standards, regulations, and company policies mainly in UK. 
• Project Management: Manage design scope secondary design, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to budget constraints.
• Risk Assessment: Conduct risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies to address potential design and implementation challenges.
• Innovation and Improvement: Identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement in design processes and technologies.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Maintain effective communication with internal and external stakeholders, including clients, contractors, and regulatory bodies.
• Site Visits: Willingness to travel for site visits and site surveys, primarily within the 

Candidate specification: 

Working as part of a Team and reporting to the Project Principal or Principal Engineer, we are ideally looking for candidates who are Chartered, along with:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.

• Experience: Good level of experience in secondary system design within the HV power industry. 

• Technical Skills: Very good knowledge of protection and control systems, and familiarity with industry standards (e.g., IEC, IEEE). NGTS would be an advantage. 

• Project Management: Strong project management skills, with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.

• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information clearly.

• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on practical and innovative solutions.

• Team Player: Ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.

We are actively recruiting a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve. We recognise that differences in ability, skills and experience are a strength and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. 

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working  

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion 

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at [email protected] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

 Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.