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

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.
  
  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
  
  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.