Technical Support Engineer (Inside IR35)

Location - Stafford

Reporting to the UK Service Leader, the Lead Technical Application Engineer is a key member of the Grid Automation Services operations team, providing technical leadership that supports service growth, customer confidence, and high-quality project execution. The role provides engineering support, conducts customer site surveys, supports commercial proposals, responds to customer technical enquiries, and delivers training for installed Protection and Control systems. The position requires sound technical judgement, structured problem solving, and clear engagement with customers and internal teams to resolve issues effectively.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Review, analyse, and resolve assigned customer application enquiries using sound engineering principles while meeting business standards, procedures, quality expectations, and response deadlines.
• Support the commercial and sales teams by defining technically robust solutions aligned with customer specifications, scope expectations, and service delivery capability.
• Provide technical support to Operations and Service teams during project execution, factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, and commissioning activities.
• Support Protection and Control system engineering tasks, including technical review, issue investigation, and application guidance.
• Manage fault reports and customer complaints in line with defined procedures, ensuring timely technical input and clear customer communication.
• Support internal and external training activities, including classroom-based training and commissioning-focused knowledge transfer.
• Build knowledge of new products, systems, and industry standards to strengthen technical capability and support continuous improvement across the service organisation.

Mandatory Requirements:

• Minimum BSc in Electrical Engineering, or equivalent qualification, with four to five years of relevant project or service experience.
• Experience with Substation Automation Systems, including technical support, testing, maintenance, and commissioning in transmission, distribution, industrial, or power plant environments.
• Ability to analyse customer applications and produce clear, accurate technical reports.
• Understanding of protection and control testing practices, tools, and equipment.
• Ability to travel within the UK and overseas as required.
• Fluent English, with the ability to communicate effectively with customers in writing and verbally.

Preferred Experience:

• Proven knowledge of protection relays and Substation Automation solutions.

Desired Characteristics:

• Working-level knowledge of substation protection and control system applications across transmission, distribution, and industrial environments.
• Ability to organise priorities, manage workload, and deliver against agreed milestones.
• Strong problem identification, root-cause analysis, and solution development skills.
• Sound judgement under pressure, with the ability to manage multiple customer enquiries simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills, with a constructive and customer-focused approach.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments.
• Collaborative working style with strong self-motivation, flexibility, and commitment to continuous learning.
• Self-starting team player with a strong sense of urgency and the ability to deliver to tight deadlines.