Lead Engineer - Protection & Control in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Park

Salary from £60,800 to £76,000 per annum plus excellent benefits

Flexible Hybrid Working

Closing Date: 10 June 2026

Help us create a better future, quicker. SP Energy Networks (SPEN) will be delivering over £10 bn of investment in the GB electricity grid over the next 5 years, contributing to the UK’s target of Net Zero. A major part of this is delivery of the western Link 2 HVDC link in Joint Venture with National Grid. SPEN are currently recruiting a Lead Engineer (P&C) to join the Western Link 2 (WL2) project team to oversee the Engineering Design function for Protection and Control. The postholder will be responsible for developing and delivering Protection & Control engineering solutions, from feasibility to detailed engineering design of WL2.

Within this role, the Lead Engineer promotes innovation, offers effective technical support, advice, coaching and input throughout the lifecycle of a portfolio of other projects and will lead the Protection & Control assessment of the contract bids for the Western Link 2 and other portfolio of projects and across all relevant network interfaces.

What you’ll be doing:

• Leading and managing a group of professional Design and Senior Design engineers for the engineering Design Delivery for Protection and Control for the HVDC converter station and its associated interfaces.
• Review and approve engineering documentation, feasibility and compliance with client requirements.
• Responsible for preparing basic and detailed engineering specifications and designs for Substation Protection and Control systems.
• Responsible for overseeing technical assessment of tender submissions and reporting recommendations.
• Define Protection and Control apparatus requirements for input to System Construction Authorisation (SCA), Project Technical Specifications and BETTA documentation.
• Co-ordinate the preparation/Review of substation protection and control drawings and specifications for construction/procurement.
• Control of correspondence and drawings to be issued to the Project Development and Delivery Teams.
• Ensure all substation designs and equipment are in accordance with current legislation, policies and operational requirements.
• Provide technical support to the Project Development and Project Delivery teams on matters concerning the design, construction and operation of power systems substations and associated equipment.
• Lead and contribute to training needs assessment for new products or similar and the development and delivery of technical, operational and safety packages for such products.
• Act as the key technical interface with EPC and OEM contractors.
• Lead on technical initiatives for new engineering opportunities.
• Collaborating with peers, colleagues and stakeholders to ensure work is efficiently aligned.

What you’ll bring:

• A degree in Electrical Engineering discipline or equivalent experience, ideally be a Chartered Engineer or working towards to it.
• Experience in engineering EPC environments for large strategic electrical infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience in design of P&C equipment for HVDC and/or AC voltages up to 400 kV.
• Proven Protection, Substation and Network Control, Automation, Telecommunications and Metering Experience.
• Strong understanding of IEC 61850 communication protocols, including GOOSE messaging, MMS, and SCL engineering.
• Experience with digital substation architectures, IED configuration, and system integration.
• Ability to interpret and develop protection schemes, relay settings, logic diagrams, and control philosophies.
• Ability to manage tasks and make decisions in uncertain and fast paced environment.
• Experience in dynamic environments ensuring engineering output delivery.
• Excellent presentation and persuasive skills.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to form effective working relationships with other individuals, departments and businesses.
• Knowledge of Transmission Operator Networks health and safety and technical requirements and compliance.

What’s in it for you:

As well as a competitive salary which is reviewed annually, you can also enjoy a number of other benefits. With our pension scheme, we’ll double match your contribution up to a company contribution of 10%. At ScottishPower, we believe it’s the little things we do in life that make a big difference. From helping you look after your family’s wellbeing, save for your future and take personal steps for climate action – our benefits are designed to help you do just that - so that you have everything you need to take care of your world – today and tomorrow. That’s why our benefits include:

• 36 days annual leave
• Holiday Purchase – perfect your work/life balance with extra annual leave
• Share Schemes
• Payroll Giving and Charity Matched Funding
• Technology Vouchers – save more and spread the cost of your technology purchases
• Electric Vehicle Schemes – to help you transition to green/clean driving
• Cycle to Work scheme and Public Transport Season Ticket Loans
• Healthcare benefit options including Dental Insurance, Private Medical Insurance, Health Cash Plan and annual Health Assessments
• Life Assurance (4x salary)
• Access to Savesmart financial wellbeing support
• Plus shopping, leisure, restaurant and gym discounts, and unique employee deals on travel insurance and more

Why SP Energy Networks:

SP Energy Networks is part of the Iberdrola Group, one of the world’s largest integrated utility companies and a world leader in wind energy. We keep electricity flowing to homes and businesses through Central and Southern Scotland, North Wales and in the North West of England. We operate over 4000km of cables and lines that make-up the transmission network – connecting infrastructure like wind farms into the electricity system. It’s a role that puts us right at the heart of Scotland’s ambition to be Net Zero by 2044. And we’re taking it very seriously. We’re investing >£5.5 billion into our transmission network, directly supporting the rapid growth needed in renewable energy. With diverse opportunities across our businesses and a commitment to invest in our own internal talent, ScottishPower can offer people real career opportunities that meet personal and professional goals, in a global organisation.

Inclusion, diversity, and a social purpose are at the heart of everything we do. Together with our values, they bring us together into a stronger, more sustainable business with direct links to the communities we serve. It takes all kinds of people to build a large-scale business like ours, so whatever your background, you’ll fit right in.

We are committed to providing reasonable support or adjustments in our recruiting processes for candidates with disabilities, long term conditions, mental health conditions, or who are neurodivergent or require pregnancy-related support. If you need support, please reach out to careers@scottishpower.com.

Mobility:

Please note that any applicant who is not a citizen of the country of the vacancy will be subject to compliance with the applicable immigration requirements to legally work in that country. If/when required, the Company will support the employee with the necessary Immigration requirements.

IMPORTANT: Advert will close at 23:59 GMT the day before Job Posting End Date below June-11-2026