Senior Electrical Commissioning Engineer - Nuclear in Bristol

Wood Commissioning is recruiting for an experienced Senior Electrical Commissioning Engineer to support EDF at Hinkley Point C (HPC). Ideally based locally to the area, the successful candidate will be engaged on a 12 month rolling PAYE contract working 40 hrs/week Monday to Friday at HPC Site Office in Bridgwater.

The HPC Commissioning Team is expanding in preparation for the commissioning of Hinkley Point C (HPC), the first nuclear power station to be built in a generation. The Senior Electrical Commissioning Engineer is responsible for leading, executing and assuring commissioning activities for LV, HV and EHV electrical systems at Hinkley Point C. The role ensures that electrical systems are safely energised, validated against design intent and demonstrated compliant with nuclear safety, environmental and industrial standards. In doing so, the role supports the HPC Commissioning Arrangements and contributes directly to fuel-load readiness and system handover to operations.

The Senior Electrical Commissioning Engineer plays a critical role in validating system performance through rigorous testing, verification and evidence generation. Every member of the Commissioning team plays a part in providing assurance to regulators that they can safely load fuel into the HPC reactors and begin the journey of providing safe, clean electricity to meet around 7% of the UK’s demand for generations to come.

Throughout the project's lifecycle, the role of the Senior Commissioning Engineer will evolve, combining technical expertise with project management skills. At the early stages you will contribute to detailed planning and preparation for the start of the Commissioning phase. Following this, you will oversee the execution of factory tests and commissioning tests as part of a team and analyse the results to justify the readiness of the HPC units to safely enter commercial operation.

As part of the role, you will collaborate closely with Responsible Designers and project contract partners. Together, you will ensure compliance with a comprehensive set of commissioning documents that incorporate technical test programs and safety justifications, which will form an integral part of the HPC Commissioning Arrangements. Building strong collaborative relationships with designers, contractors, the HPC project delivery team, site engineering and the plant operational organization will be crucial in ensuring well-defined and controlled interfaces with the commissioning process.

Responsibilities:

• Plan and coordinate electrical commissioning activities by developing commissioning test plans, reviewing schedules, confirming resource and equipment availability and ensuring the latest revisions of commissioning instructions are in use.
• Execute and oversee the commissioning of LV, HV and EHV electrical systems including switchboards, transformers, batteries, UPS, protection relays, interlocks and EHV grid-interface equipment up to 400kV.
• Apply and enforce nuclear, electrical and industrial safety requirements including pre-job briefs, point-of-work risk assessments and surveillance of safety rule compliance.
• Implement configuration control by reviewing and validating redline mark-ups, managing temporary modifications and ensuring commissioning data is accurately captured in IT systems (e.g. EAM, Switch, CMS).
• Analyse and verify electrical commissioning results, assessing compliance with acceptance criteria, identifying deviations and engaging designers or vendors for technical resolution.
• Manage governance activities including control of commissioning hold points, ensuring tests meet nuclear safety justification requirements and providing traceable LC-6 evidence packages.
• Coordinate multi-discipline interfaces by supporting mechanical, I&C and process commissioning teams on systems containing electrical interactions or safety dependencies.
• Lead system walkdowns and acceptance by verifying system completeness, reviewing handover documentation, closing punch-list items and confirming readiness for testing or energisation.
• Capture, record and communicate OPEX (operational experience) to support continuous improvement across commissioning activities.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers and technicians, promoting nuclear professionalism and developing commissioning capability within the programme.

Qualifications:

• Degree (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering or relevant technical discipline.
• Strong technical knowledge of HV / EHV / LV electrical distribution systems, grid-interface equipment, protection, UPS, DC systems and control systems.
• Significant experience in commissioning within highly regulated sectors (nuclear, power generation, transmission, or oil & gas).
• Demonstrated competence in protection relay testing, logic & interlock verification and safe HV / EHV energisation planning.
• Understanding of nuclear safety culture, regulatory expectations and configuration management.
• Ability to interpret complex electrical drawings (SLDs, wiring diagrams, logic diagrams).
• Experience working under electrical safety rules, PTW, LOTO and statutory regulations (HASAWA 1974, Electricity at Work Regulations 1989).
• Skilled in diagnosing complex power system faults during commissioning phases.
• Strong ability to produce technical justifications, test reports, and commissioning evidence packages.
• Familiarity with commissioning IT systems for configuration, defect management, and validation.
• Effective project management and stakeholder communication are crucial for coordinating activities and delivering successful projects.
• Strong communication, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with nuclear plant systems commissioning, operations or maintenance.
• Experience with EPR (NNB) electrical system architecture.
• Chartered Engineer or working toward professional accreditation.
• Experience in FAT oversight, supplier engagement and specialist testing.

Wood is a global leader in consulting and engineering, helping to unlock solutions to critical challenges in energy and materials markets. We provide consulting, projects and operations solutions in 45 countries, employing around 25,000 people.

We are an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective criteria and without regard to race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws.