At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative projects in control, protection, and automation for high-voltage substations.
- Company: Join Hitachi Energy, a leader in the energy transition with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy remote work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with European travel and excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the energy sector while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in engineering with expertise in control and automation systems.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
At Grid & Power Quality Solutions and Service business at Hitachi Energy in Europe (HBUEU), Inclusion drives our culture of innovation and collaboration. Our leading technology and strong market position enable us to achieve growth targets in the energy transition across current and growing market segments such as hydrogen, data centers and e-mobility.
The Large Project Office (LPO) requires experienced Protection, Control & Automation Lead to take overall technical lead of Control, Protection, Automation and Communication (CPA & C) systems for high-value, large and complex HV substation projects (offshore & onshore). These projects involve collaboration across multiple business units and countries, requiring strong technical leadership, structured coordination, and a passion for delivering high-quality engineering outcomes.
You will support both tendering and project execution, taking the lead on Substation Control, Protection & Automation, interface with SCADA, and communication parts of multiple Substation projects. You will play a central role in defining technical scope, preparing engineering deliverables, coordinating with multiple teams and units in a matrix organisation without necessarily having direct reports, and ensuring robust, safe, and optimized solutions that support successful bids and project execution.
Location: UK, Ireland, or Denmark (remote-based). Travel: European travel required, typically up to 20%, depending on project and business needs.
How you'll make an impact:
- Act as a technical lead and design authority for engineering, installation and commissioning activities of Substation CPA & C scope of supply.
- Provide end-to-end leadership across Substation control, protection, automation, SCADA and HMI, telecommunications, operational technology networks, and OT cybersecurity.
- Define and maintain the CPA & C system architecture, technical philosophy, design criteria, interfaces, battery limits, division of work and responsibility matrix.
- Coordinate engineering contributions across suppliers, Offshore & Onshore engineering teams, Power Quality, commissioning, supply chain, external partners and other participating units.
- Lead customer technical discussions, design reviews, workshops, clarifications and resolution of complex system-level issues.
- Ensure that customer specifications, grid-operator requirements, contractual obligations and applicable standards are translated into clear and traceable engineering requirements.
- Drive technical consistency and interface alignment between offshore and onshore substations, grid-control centres, third-party systems, telecom networks and customer or transmission-system-operator interfaces.
- Lead the CPA & C contribution during tendering, including solution strategy, architecture, scope definition, technical risk review, bills of material, engineering effort estimation, supplier strategy, schedules.
- Review and approve key engineering deliverables, monitor quality, cost and schedule performance, manage technical risks and opportunities, and control changes within the CPA & C scope.
- Coordinate system integration, design verification, testing and commissioning readiness, and support resolution of site issues.
- Collaborate with Supply chain function to identify and evaluate potential vendors, review supplier offers considering technical, commercial, schedule requirements.
- Ensure compliance with Hitachi Energy safety, integrity, quality and cybersecurity requirements and promote a strong safety-by-design approach.
- Drive standardization, reusable engineering practices, lessons learned and continuous improvement across the LPO project portfolio.
- Support Site Testing and Commissioning team to find technical resolution for site issues, provide method statements and technical write-up as required.
Your Background:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, Electrical Engineering or similar, ideally with a focus on electrical power system.
- A minimum of 10+ years as Lead Engineer or equivalent role with relevant experience in control, protection, automation, SCADA or communication systems for high-voltage and extra-high-voltage substations.
- Good understanding of various IEC standards and protocols, such as IEC 61850, IEC 60870-5-104, IEC 62443, IEC 62439-3, IEC 61869 and IEC 61892.
- Experience in the industrial Control system / SAS / SCS with knowledge in HMI/SCADA system design, familiarity of communication protocols used in substations/windfarms, Network (L2-L3) architecture, OT Cyber security.
- Proven capability to lead international virtual teams, influence without direct authority and make sound technical decisions in a matrix project organization.
- Experience in both tendering and execution of large, complex substation projects. Offshore wind, offshore platform experience is highly desirable.
- Excellent customer-facing communication, negotiation, presentation and technical-report-writing skills.
- Fluent English is required. Additional European language skills are an advantage.
We believe great work thrives in an environment where people feel genuinely supported and fairly rewarded. Our benefits are designed to create real value for every individual – fueling engagement, performance, and growth. By prioritizing well‑being, we build a workplace where personal and organizational success grow together.
Protection and control automation Lead in Birmingham employer: Hitachi
At Hitachi Energy, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Birmingham that fosters collaboration and innovation. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through continuous training opportunities and a culture that values diversity and inclusion, ensuring every team member can thrive while contributing to a sustainable energy future. Join us to be part of a global team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the energy sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Protection and control automation Lead in Birmingham
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Protection and control automation Lead role you’re after at Hitachi.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at Hitachi a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Hitachi.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Protection and control automation Lead at Hitachi, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Protection and control automation Lead in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Protection and control automation Lead, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Hitachi a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Hitachi specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hitachi
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Hitachi, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Hitachi want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
