Principal Engineer - Protection and Control

Job Title: Principal Engineer – Protection and Control

Location: Edinburgh

Salary from £69,200 to £86,500 + 20% + Family Medical Cover + Car Allowance

Help us create a better future, quicker

With plans to see SP Energy Networks (SPEN), part of the ScottishPower Group, look to invest over £5bn in transmission projects across our transmission network in central and southern Scotland by 2030, the HVDC team will play a key role in supporting SPEN to work at pace to deliver the transmission network that is required to support ambitions Scottish and UK Government 2030 targets.

SPEN are currently recruiting a Principal Engineer to join the SP Transmission HVDC Projects team to undertake the Engineering Design function for Protection and Control equipment in Eastern Green Link(EGL)  Projects. The position holder will undertake protection and control  design activities on EPC HVDC Contracts as well as provide protection and control expert advice across the HVDC Projects portfolio.

This role involves working with Engineering experts from SPT’s and the joint venture partner to support the delivery of HVDC interconnector projects, and ensuring innovative designs for Protection and Control equipment that meet specified functional technical requirements.

What you’ll be doing

• Responsible for preparing basic and detailed engineering specifications and designs for Substation Protection and Control systems.
• Responsible for overseeing technical assessment of tender submissions and negotiations with Bidders.
• Responsible for assuring protection and control designs undertaken by EPC Contractor during the delivery of HVDC Projects.
• Leading and managing a group of professional design engineers for the engineering Design and Delivery of Protection and Control for the HVDC converter stations and interfaces.
• Support the preparation of accurate budgets for new projects.
• Provide overall P&C technical leadership across the HVDC projects with responsibility for providing expert advice and guidance to Protection and Control Design Engineers.
• Provide technical support to the Project Site Delivery teams on the design, construction and commissioning of the construction works.
• Support Scottish Power Business in the review and update of new protection and control standards.
• Provide leadership on the development of technical initiatives e.g., new tools, systems, and approaches to exploit new engineering opportunities such as BIM and digital substation solutions from contractors and across the transmission industry. 

What You’Ll Bring

• Proven experience/expert knowledge in design of Protection and Control equipment and associated ancillaries at voltages of 33kV to 400kV.
• Ability to implement, apply and promote CDM and Health & Safety best practice in a design environment.
• Ability to manage under pressure and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment with a diverse and demanding workload.
• Experience in working in a dynamic environment and ensuring delivery of engineering outputs.
• Direct or indirect line management and leadership experience and working in a dynamic environment with interfaces with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to operate in an environment of uncertainty and incomplete information and make well-reasoned decisions. Lead by example and drive transformational change.
• Good presentation skills, including the ability to apply persuasive influence to drive decisions through engineering analysis.

To be successful in a role you will need to demonstrate as a minimum:

• Engineering qualification (BSc/BEng) and/ or postgraduate qualification (MBA, MEng, MSc) or relevant experience. Chartered Engineer preferred.
• Experience in engineering EPC environment of multiple large strategic projects.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in transmission Protection and Control design.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• What’s in it for you

As well as a competitive salary which is reviewed annually, you can also enjoy a number of other benefits. With our pension scheme, we’ll double match your contribution up to a company contribution of 10%. 

At ScottishPower, we believe it’s the little things we do in life that make a big difference. From helping you look after your family’s wellbeing, save for your future and take personal steps for climate action – our benefits are designed to help you do just that - so that you have everything you need to take care of your world – today and tomorrow. That’s why our benefits include:

• 36 days annual leave
• Holiday Purchase – perfect your work/life balance with extra annual leave

• Share Schemes

• Payroll Giving and Charity Matched Funding
• Technology Vouchers – save more and spread the cost of your technology purchases
• Electric Vehicle Schemes – to help you transition to green/clean driving
• Cycle to Work scheme and Public Transport Season Ticket Loans
• Healthcare benefit options including: Dental Insurance, Private Medical Insurance, Health Cash Plan and annual Health Assessments
• Life Assurance (4x salary)
• Access to Savesmart financial wellbeing support
• Plus shopping, leisure, restaurant and gym discounts, and unique employee deals on travel insurance and more

Why SP Energy Networks

SP Energy Networks is part of the Iberdrola Group, one of the world’s largest integrated utility companies and a world leader in wind energy. We keep electricity flowing to homes and businesses through Central and Southern Scotland, North Wales and in the North West of England. We operate over 4000km of cables and lines that make-up the transmission network – connecting infrastructure like wind farms into the electricity system. It’s a role that puts us right at the heart of Scotland’s ambition to be Net Zero by 2044. And we’re taking it very seriously. We’re investing >£5.5 billion into our transmission network, directly supporting the rapid growth needed in renewable energy. With diverse opportunities across our businesses and a commitment to invest in our own internal talent, ScottishPower can offer people real career opportunities that meet personal and professional goals, in a global organisation.

Inclusion, diversity, and a social purpose are at the heart of everything we do. Together with our values, they bring us together into a stronger, more sustainable business with direct links to the communities we serve. It takes all kinds of people to build a large-scale business like ours, so whatever your background, you’ll fit right in.

We are committed to providing reasonable support or adjustments in our recruiting processes for candidates with disabilities, long term conditions, mental health conditions, or who are neurodivergent or require pregnancy-related support. If you need support, please reach out to careers@scottishpower.com.

Mobility

Please note that any applicant who is not a citizen of the country of the vacancy will be subject to compliance with the applicable immigration requirements to legally work in that country. If/when required, the Company will support the employee with the necessary Immigration requirements.

Important

Advert will close at 23:59 GMT the day before Job Posting End Date below

October-8-2025