Principal Protection & Control Engineer – Transmission & Distribution (Glasgow, UK)

Job Description

Description

Chart your own course and change the world – with the support of people whose interests are aligned with yours. At Burns & McDonnell, opportunity is waiting. We’re looking for people with big ideas and an entrepreneurial mindset. It’s those kinds of people who’ve helped us grow from a small consulting business back in 1898 to a global leader in engineering, architecture and construction solutions. Today, we’re a thriving company with more than 10,000 professionals working in 75 offices worldwide and recognised as a leader in transmission & distribution services.

To act in a senior and principal technical capacity in producing Burns & McDonnell’s UK engineering related project deliverables relating to power system Protection & Control (P&C) within the Transmission & Distribution Global Practice. This includes (but is not limited to):

• Direct the strategic Protection & Control design of major transmission and distribution projects from concept through detailed design and construction support, defining technical requirements in alignment with project and client objectives.
• Serve as the ultimate technical authority for Protection & Control engineering within the UK business, setting technical standards, approving design philosophies, and acting as the final point of escalation for complex technical matters.
• Undertake senior leadership roles on complex, multi disciplinary engineering teams, including acting as Lead Project Engineer where required.
• Lead the successful delivery, technical quality, and approval of Protection & Control engineering deliverables across the UK business, including detailed substation P&C design packages from 11kV up to 400kV, with particular emphasis on 132kV and above.
• Provide technical authority for power system studies, protection philosophies, protection settings, relay configuration files, calculations, and associated technical documentation.
• Serve as the ultimate technical authority in the preparation and approval of equipment specifications, RFQs, technical bid evaluations, vendor drawing reviews, and final technical recommendations.
• Execute and approve complex engineering assignments requiring advanced techniques, originality, and sound engineering judgement, including development of non standard and innovative P&C design solutions.
• Undertake senior consultancy roles on FEED and early stage projects, including authoring and presenting authoritative technical reports and recommendations to clients.
• Establish, enforce, and hold accountability for the Protection & Control quality assurance framework, including technical reviews, approvals, and final design sign off.
• Act as Contractor Design Approval Engineer (CDAE) in accordance with National Grid TP137, and as TP141 Protection Setting Engineer in accordance with TP141 and TP107 procedures, where required.
• Ensure compliance with CDM Regulations, applicable legislation, client standards, and Burns & McDonnell design management standards, processes, and the UK Integrated Management System (IMS).
• Champion and drive a Safety by Design approach, embedding safety, constructability, operability, and maintainability throughout the full asset lifecycle.
• Support the Protection & Control Section Manager in developing and enhancing the UK P&C capability, including mentoring engineers, identifying skills gaps, and supporting recruitment and succession planning.
• Work closely with other UK Transmission & Distribution engineering sections to enable effective cross disciplinary collaboration and optimal engineering outcomes.
• Cultivate and maintain senior level client technical relationships, supporting marketing, business development, proposals, and tender activities.
• Act as an industry technical leader in Protection & Control engineering, contributing to professional bodies and industry groups, maintaining Continued Professional Development, and acting as an ambassador for Burns & McDonnell.
• Undertake other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (or related field) required AND
• 13 years of protection & control engineering design experience OR
• Master’s degree in engineering (or related field) and 12 years of relevant experience.
• Preferably 5 years in the UK electricity transmission & distribution sector.
• Knowledge of engineering design management best practices with the ability to implement this knowledge.
• Understanding of the requirements of relevant UK Health & Safety legislation relating to design and construction work in the electricity supply industry.
• Understanding of the requirements of relevant UK Environmental and Waste Management legislation.
• Thorough understanding of current Construction (Design & Management) Regulations.
• Experience of working in a lead substation design role on National Grid Electricity Transmission projects in the UK and acting as a TP137 CDAE for Protection & Control and as the TP141 Protection Settings Engineer.
• Good knowledge of National Grid’s procedures: TP106, TP107, TP131, TP135, TP137, TP141, TP153, TP163, TP183, TP184, TP188, TP189, TP191, TP211, TP215, TP235, TP241. Thorough knowledge and experience applying National Grid’s Technical Specification, Technical Guidance Notes, and Design Handbooks relating to substation protection & control in the UK.
• Understanding of the causes and consequences of Impressed Voltage.
• IT literate, with good knowledge of using Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge of applying CAD technology/software to substation and P&C design, and a strong understanding of BIM principles (PAS 1192 and ISO 16950).
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills.
• Strong persuasion and negotiation skills with clients and employees.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Ability to deal effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders across clients, industry, government and public.
• Capability to coach and develop the team.
• Ability to make an effective and collaborative contribution to the team through sharing knowledge, promoting ideas, and valuing the contributions of all team members.

Job: Engineering

Primary Location: GB-Glasgow-Glasgow

Schedule: Full time

Travel: Yes, 15 % of the Time

Req ID: 263126

Job Hire Type: Experienced N/A