At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead protection validation strategies and ensure reliable performance in high-voltage environments.
- Company: Join a leading firm focused on mission-critical infrastructure projects.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and professional development in a collaborative environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to grow into a recognised Subject Matter Expert (SME).
- Why this job: Shape engineering standards and make a real impact on critical infrastructure.
- Qualifications: Extensive HV/EHV experience and strong technical assurance skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a Protection Validation Engineer (Lead / SME) to act as our technical authority on protection and control systems across high-voltage (HV) and extra high-voltage (EHV) environments. This is a senior, high-impact role combining technical leadership, independent validation, and hands-on project involvement. You’ll shape validation strategies, challenge designs, and ensure protection systems perform reliably in some of the most critical infrastructure environments in the world. Expect a balance of strategic oversight and on-site delivery (25-50%), working closely with commissioning teams during key project phases.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Leading protection validation strategy, standards, and best practices
- Acting as the technical authority for protection engineering across the business
- Reviewing and validating:
- Protection & control designs
- Single-line diagrams and schematics
- Relay settings and coordination studies
- Ensuring compliance with client specs, grid requirements, and industry standards
- Providing technical oversight across design, FAT/SAT, and commissioning phases
- Supporting site activities, including:
- Witnessing end-to-end protection testing
- Verifying protection scheme functionality
- Supporting energisation and switching events
- Identifying risks, resolving complex issues, and supporting fault investigations
- Advising clients and stakeholders in design reviews and assurance forums
- Mentoring engineers and contributing to internal technical capability
Core Experience
- Extensive background in HV/EHV protection and control systems
- Proven experience in protection validation, design review, and technical assurance
- Strong knowledge of:
- Overcurrent, distance, and differential protection
- Protection coordination and selectivity
- Experience with relay configuration, testing, and commissioning oversight
- Familiarity with tools such as ETAP, DIgSILENT, or similar
Technical & Professional Background
- Electrical qualifications (HNC/HND/BEng or equivalent preferred)
- HV authorisations or training (essential)
- Chartered Engineer status (or working towards) is advantageous
- Ability to interpret complex schematics and technical documentation
- Experience in data centres, utilities, or mission-critical environments is a plus
How You Work
- You’re a technical leader who can influence and challenge decisions
- You balance engineering governance with practical delivery
- You’re detail-driven, proactive, and solutions-focused
- You communicate confidently with clients, contractors, and teams
- You prioritise safety and quality in high-voltage environments
- You enjoy mentoring and developing others
Please note this role is a combination of 25-50% UK and European travel and the remainder of the time you will be based at our Newcastle Office.
Why Join Us?
- Work on cutting-edge, mission-critical infrastructure projects
- Influence engineering standards and technical excellence across the business
- Be part of a collaborative, expert-led environment
- Opportunity to grow into a recognised Subject Matter Expert (SME)
Protection Validation Engineer (Lead/SME) in Whitstable employer: Global Commissioning
As a Graduate Commissioning Engineer with Global Commissioning, you will join a dynamic team dedicated to innovative data centre projects across Europe. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and continuous learning, offering structured mentorship and professional development opportunities that empower you to grow your engineering skills in a thriving industry. With competitive salaries and exciting travel prospects, this role is perfect for graduates eager to make a meaningful impact in their careers.
