At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and implementation of advanced control systems for HVDC and digital substations.
- Company: Join GE Vernova, a leader in electrifying and decarbonising the world.
- Benefits: Relocation assistance, career growth, and the chance to work on impactful projects.
- Other info: Collaborate with top engineers and contribute to global sustainability efforts.
- Why this job: Shape the future of power systems and influence how energy reaches millions.
- Qualifications: Experience in power system automation and substation control engineering required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
The Control Automation System Principal Engineer serves as the technical authority for automation systems, industrial controls, and operational technologies across the organization. This role leads the architecture, design, implementation, and governance of advanced control systems that enable safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing or operational performance. The Principal Engineer mentors engineering teams, drives innovation, establishes automation standards, and leads strategic initiatives aligned with business objectives.
The world is electrifying faster than ever, and at GE Vernova, we're building the technologies that make it possible. As a Principal Engineer in Control & Automation Systems, you'll serve as a technical authority shaping the future of High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) and digital substation technology. This is a role where your expertise directly influences how power reaches millions of people — and where your ideas help define what comes next.
What You'll Do
- Lead the technical design, architecture, and delivery of advanced control and automation systems for HVDC and digital substation environments.
- Own the technical solution for control and automation systems end-to-end — from requirements definition and architecture through to implementation, validation, and governance — ensuring designs meet customer requirements and comply with IEC 61850, IEC 60870-5, and related power system communication standards.
- Lead HVDC control and protection design, including network and cybersecurity architecture, Substation Configuration Language (SCL) data modelling, protection logic, interlocking logic, and integration of Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs), bay controllers, merging units, and Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) within digital substations.
- Drive engineering excellence by identifying and implementing improvements to methods, tools, processes, and systems that enhance customer value, and by upholding Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost (SQDC) principles across the team.
- Collaborate and influence across project teams, New Product Introduction (NPI), utilities, and vendors to support system integration, testing, and commissioning; provide technical consultation to cross-functional teams on manufacturing, supply chain, and field challenges.
- Represent GE Vernova externally at industry conferences and in professional bodies such as IEC and CIGRE; contribute to the Patent Evaluation Board (PEB); mentor junior engineers; and support hiring, promotion, and succession planning within Engineering & Technology.
Who We're Looking For
You're a seasoned power systems engineer with significant hands-on experience in substation automation and HVDC control systems — someone who combines deep technical authority with the ability to lead, influence, and inspire.
Required
- A formal education in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems, or a related discipline is valued, but we are most interested in your total experience and professional achievements.
- Significant experience in power system automation or substation control engineering, including substantial experience with IEC 61850-based systems.
- In-depth knowledge of IEC 61850 protocols and concepts, including Manufacturing Message Specification (MMS), Generic Object-Oriented Substation Events (GOOSE), SCL, and Sampled Values.
- Strong understanding of communication networks, including Ethernet, Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs), and Parallel Redundancy Protocol/High-availability Seamless Redundancy (PRP/HSR) redundancy architectures.
- Proven experience configuring and integrating IEDs, protection relays, substation bay controllers, merging units, and HMI systems.
- Hands-on experience with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Distributed Control System (DCS) platform integration.
- Working knowledge of Layer 2 and Layer 3 communication protocols, including IPv4, Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), Virtual Private Network (VPN), Distribution Management System/Advanced Distribution Management System (DMS/ADMS), DNP3, and Modbus.
- Experience using IEC 61850 System Configurators and IED Connectivity Packages.
Preferred
- Active participation in IEC, CIGRE, or equivalent industry standards working groups.
- Experience leading root cause analysis for complex Voltage Source Converter (VSC) control and protection issues.
- Familiarity with cybersecurity design principles for industrial control systems.
Why GE Vernova
At GE Vernova, we're on a mission to electrify and decarbonize the world. That means building technologies that are reliable, sustainable, and transformative. Joining our team means working alongside some of the brightest minds in power engineering, contributing to projects that have a genuine global impact, and growing your career in an environment that values curiosity, collaboration, and technical leadership.
Additional Information
Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes
Principal Engineer – Control & Automation Systems in Stoke-on-Trent employer: GE Vernova
GE Vernova in Stafford is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration among engineers. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will have access to ongoing training and development opportunities, as well as the chance to work on cutting-edge HVDC projects that make a real impact globally. The supportive environment and emphasis on teamwork ensure that every employee can thrive while contributing to sustainable energy solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Engineer – Control & Automation Systems in Stoke-on-Trent
✨Get Involved in Control Systems Communities
Dive into control systems forums and relevant LinkedIn groups to showcase your expertise. Engage in discussions, answer questions, and share your knowledge—this can help us get noticed by potential employers looking for someone just like you!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops
Join conferences or workshops specifically tailored to control systems engineering, like the IEEE conference. These events are goldmines for networking with industry leaders and might just lead us to that perfect role at GE Vernova.
✨Get Practical Experience Through Projects
Start or contribute to projects that highlight your control systems skills. Whether it’s a simulated environment or real-world application, having tangible results will give us a huge edge when chatting with GE Vernova.
✨Choose Job Boards Wisely
Focus on niche job boards that specialise in engineering roles. Channels like Engineers.co or similar can help ensure that we’re not only applying to random jobs but targeting positions that align perfectly with our control systems engineering skills!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Engineer – Control & Automation Systems in Stoke-on-Trent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Technical Skills:When applying for the Principal Engineer – Control & Automation Systems role, make sure to showcase your technical expertise in control systems. Be specific about the software and programming languages you’ve worked with—mention anything from MATLAB to PLC programming. This will help us see your proficiency in the tools that are essential for the job.
Quantify Your Achievements:In the engineering world, numbers speak volumes! Use your CV to quantify your achievements—whether it’s a percentage improvement in system efficiency or successful project completions under budget. This will not only make your application stand out but also showcase your problem-solving capabilities to us.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Don’t hesitate to get personal in your cover letter! Talk about why you’re passionate about control systems engineering and how your previous experiences have prepared you for this role at GE Vernova. We want to see your genuine interest and motivation to contribute to our projects.
Professional Documentation:For a full-time role, ensure that your application documents are professional and well-structured. Include a clear CV format and cover letter that highlights key projects or systems you've worked on. Don’t forget to mention any relevant certifications or training that would make you a valuable addition to us at GE Vernova.
How to prepare for a job interview at GE Vernova
✨Brush Up on Control Systems Concepts
Make sure we're up to speed with control systems theory—think stability analysis, PID tuning, and state-space representation. Revising these fundamentals will help us answer technical questions more confidently and demonstrate our expertise during the interview.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Simulation Tools
Get hands-on with popular simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink or LabVIEW. A lot of interviews might include technical assessments or practical tasks to gauge our understanding of system modelling and control design using these tools, so being proficient could really set us apart.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Scenarios
We should expect scenario-based questions where we'll have to solve real-world control system challenges. Practising how to approach problems logically and articulately will help us show our analytical thinking to the interviewer at GE Vernova.
✨Show Your Passion for Engineering
As this role is full-time, it's crucial we convey our genuine enthusiasm for control systems engineering. Sharing personal projects or experiences where we tackled interesting engineering tasks can illustrate our commitment and eagerness to contribute to the team at GE Vernova.
