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- Tasks: Lead technical assurance for protection systems and design innovative solutions for major projects.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking energy company committed to safety and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, health perks, and family-friendly policies.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel opportunities and excellent career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the energy sector while developing your engineering skills.
- Qualifications: Electrical Engineering qualification and experience in power system protection required.
The predicted salary is between 69105 - 81406 £ per year.
Base Location: You'll be expected to spend 50% of your working week in one of the following locations: Inverness, Dingwall, Orkney, Shetland, Wick or Fort William.
Salary: £69,105 - £81,406 depending on skills and experience + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.
Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available.
Overview: We're looking for an experienced Protection and Control Engineer to join our Distribution Technical Services team, supporting the delivery of a significant capital investment portfolio across the north of Scotland. Our team provides specialist technical leadership, design, and assurance for protection and control systems on the distribution network up to 33 kV. We work closely with Capital Delivery, Operations, and external partners to ensure schemes are safe, compliant, and fit for purpose, both technically and operationally.
You'll take a leading role in providing technical assurance across major capital projects, while still retaining hands-on involvement in design, commissioning, and problem-solving where required. You'll be trusted to make engineering judgements, challenge designs where necessary, and act as a point of escalation for complex protection issues.
You will:
- Provide technical leadership and design assurance for protection and control aspects of large and complex capital investment and customer connection projects.
- Take a leading role in providing technical assurance across major capital and connections projects.
- Review and approve protection and control designs, relay settings, and commissioning documentation produced by contractors.
- Act as a Design authority for protection-related technical queries, deviations, and engineering challenges arising during delivery.
- Shape project scope and influence investment decisions through the production and review of scoping documents, single-line diagrams, and MC&P diagrams.
- Carry out detailed protection and control design where required, including AC/DC schematics, grading studies, relay settings, and configuration files.
- Support onsite activities including commissioning, energisation, fault investigation, and post-fault analysis.
- Provide guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers, supporting capability development within the wider Technical Services team and work closely with Capital Delivery, Operations, Control Room, and external contractors to ensure safe, timely, and compliant project delivery.
You have:
- A strong safety-first mindset with demonstrable experience of managing and mitigating engineering risk.
- A qualification in Electrical Engineering (minimum HNC) or equivalent practical experience.
- Significant experience in the design, commissioning, and assurance of power system protection, ideally within a distribution network environment up to 33 kV.
- The confidence and credibility to challenge designs, influence decisions, and provide independent technical judgement.
- Experience working with a range of protection relays, testing equipment, and manufacturer tools.
- Familiarity with industry-standard engineering software such as PowerFactory and AutoCAD.
- Operational experience on the distribution network would be highly advantageous.
This role involves travel across various locations to support business needs. To enable you to fulfil these responsibilities, as a role requirement, the company will provide access to a vehicle for work-related travel. A valid driving licence is essential.
Flexible benefits to fit your life: Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships. Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service. Interest-free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme. As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.
Work with an equal opportunity employer: SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. Please contact fiona.smith@sse.com or 01738 340954 to discuss how we can support you.
Protection Engineer in Fort William employer: SSE PLC
Contact Detail:
SSE PLC Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Protection Engineer in Fort William
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at the company through LinkedIn or industry events. A friendly chat can give us insider info and might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical knowledge. Make sure you can discuss protection systems and design assurance confidently. We want to see that you can tackle those engineering challenges head-on!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience! Be ready to share specific examples of projects you've worked on, especially those involving commissioning and fault investigation. We love hearing about real-world problem-solving!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Protection Engineer in Fort William
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Protection Engineer role. Highlight your experience in power system protection and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a great fit. Don’t forget to mention your safety-first mindset and technical expertise.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Be specific about your technical skills in your application. Mention any experience with protection relays, testing equipment, and software like PowerFactory and AutoCAD. We love seeing candidates who can hit the ground running!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at SSE PLC
✨Know Your Technical Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of protection and control systems, especially those up to 33 kV. Be ready to discuss your experience with design, commissioning, and assurance in detail, as well as any specific projects you've worked on that relate to the role.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled complex engineering challenges in the past. Think about situations where you had to make tough decisions or influence project outcomes, and be ready to explain your thought process during the interview.
✨Demonstrate Your Safety Mindset
Since this role requires a strong safety-first approach, be prepared to discuss how you've managed and mitigated engineering risks in previous roles. Highlight any specific safety protocols or practices you've implemented to ensure compliance and safety on projects.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team, projects, and company culture. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you. Consider asking about their approach to mentoring less experienced engineers or how they handle complex project challenges.