Protection and Controls Engineer – HV Substations & BESS (EPC Projects)
Location: Advance Grid Solutions Glasgow
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent
Reports to: Lead Electrical Engineer / Engineering Manager
Sector: EPC / Power Systems / Energy Storage / Grid Connections
About the Role
As a Protection and Controls Engineer, you’ll play a key role in the design and delivery of protection, control, and SCADA systems for our high-voltage substation and battery energy storage (BESS) projects across the UK.
You will work within a multi-disciplinary EPC delivery team to develop and integrate protection and control solutions from concept through to commissioning, ensuring safe, reliable, and compliant operation of grid-connected assets.
This role requires a solid grounding in electrical protection design, a strong appreciation of the construction and commissioning environment, and the ability to collaborate effectively across engineering, construction, and commissioning disciplines.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead or support the design and development of protection and control systems for HV substations (11–400 kV) and BESS grid connections.
* Prepare, review, and approve protection schematics, SLDs, interlocking diagrams, wiring diagrams, relay setting sheets, and SCADA I/O schedules.
* Perform protection coordination, grading studies, and relay settings calculations, ensuring compliance with DNO/TO/NGESO requirements.
* Specify and integrate protection relays, control panels, RTUs, and SCADA systems into overall substation and BESS control architectures.
* Support factory and site acceptance testing (FAT/SAT), including configuration and testing of relays and control systems.
* Collaborate with internal design, procurement, and construction teams to ensure designs are buildable, cost-effective, and compliant with client and grid standards.
* Liaise with DNOs, TOs, and NGESO for interface design approvals, grid code compliance, and protection coordination submissions.
* Provide technical support during construction and commissioning, resolving design-related issues and ensuring correct implementation of protection and control schemes.
* Manage technical documentation and design deliverables within Procore (or equivalent EPC project management platform).
* Contribute to continuous improvement of design standards, processes, and project delivery methods.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
* Degree (or equivalent) in Electrical or Power Engineering.
* Proven experience delivering protection and control designs for HV substations and/or grid-scale BESS projects.
* Strong understanding of protection principles, including differential, distance, overcurrent, and earth fault protection schemes.
* Proficiency in relay configuration software (e.g., Siemens DIGSI, GE EnerVista, SEL AcSELerator, Schneider Easergy Studio).
* Familiarity with SCADA, RTU, and communication protocols (IEC 61850, DNP3, IEC (phone number removed).
* Knowledge of National Grid, DNO, and ENA standards.
* Experience working in a multi-disciplinary EPC environment, coordinating with civil, mechanical, and commissioning teams.
Desirable:
* Experience with BESS control systems, including interface design, EMS/PCS integration, and grid compliance testing.
* Understanding of functional safety, interlocking logic, and control philosophy documentation.
* Working knowledge of Procore or similar digital collaboration tools (e.g., BIM 360, Aconex).
* Chartered Engineer (CEng) or working toward professional registration (IET or equivalent).
What We Offer
* Competitive salary and benefits package.
* Opportunity to work on cutting-edge renewable and grid-scale energy projects shaping the UK’s transition to net zero.
* Support for professional development, chartership, and technical training.
* A collaborative and forward-thinking team culture within a fast-growing EPC business