Design Lead - Protection and Control

Aspect House, Blantyre

Salary from £60,800 per annum plus excellent benefits

Flexible Hybrid Working

Closing Date: 12 June 2025

Help us create a better future, quicker

With plans to see SP Energy Networks (SPEN), part of the ScottishPower Group, look to invest over £5bn in transmission projects across our transmission network in central and southern Scotland by 2030, the Strategic Project team will play a key role in supporting SPEN to work at pace to deliver the transmission network that is required to support ambitions Scottish and UK Government 2030 targets.

SPEN are currently recruiting a Design Lead (P&C) to join the SP Transmission Strategic team to oversee the Engineering Design function for Protection and Control equipment in Strategic Projects. The postholder will manage the design and engineering outputs, including approvals for all SPT Strategic Projects.

This role involves managing engineering interfaces with EPC contractors and OEMs, and ensuring innovative designs for Protection and Control equipment that meets requirements.

What you'll be doing

• Lead the Engineering Design Delivery for Protection and Control with accountability for establishing Strategic Projects EPC design strategy and processes to ensure a consistent approach to consenting design and detail design.

• Responsible for the development of pre-contract design of project by leading the technical aspects of Protection and Control design works e.g. protection specification, control, automation and telecommunications.

• Key technical interface with Strategic Agreement Framework EPC and OEM contractors; accountable for Protection and Control design deliverables, assurances, and standardized approach across Strategic Projects Portfolio.

• Provide technical support to the Project Development and Project Delivery teams on matters concerning the design and operation of Protection and Control equipment and associated ancillaries.

• Participate in the development of pre-contract design of projects by supporting the technical development of concept designs to a level of maturity that can be progressed to detail design.

• Assess EPC contractor engineering documentation, feasibility and compliance with client requirements and review and comment on the design, construction and commissioning to ensure timely and compliant delivery.

• Leading engineering reviews governance, assurance and approval for EPC design calculations, models, reports and submissions with thorough attention to detail and delegated authorisation responsibility.

• Identify review and/or support industry leading or innovative solutions to reduce whole life carbon and promote sustainability.

• Ensure delivery is de-risked with input to early stages of design with EPC contractors regarding constructability.

• Ensure all substation designs and equipment are in accordance with current policies, standards and operational requirements.

• Lead on Strategic Projects technical Initiatives e.g., new tools, systems, and approaches to exploit new engineering opportunities such as BIM and digital substation solutions from contractors and across the transmission industry.

• Participate and direct cross-discipline transfer of expertise with fellow Engineers and Section Heads, acting as a key link for interactivity with other engineering experts/departments. Including other Transmission Operators.

• Represent SPT Strategic engineering position, and interests, at senior industry, regulatory and public consultations.

• Capable of delivering new and advanced engineering solutions to enable accelerate delivery of Strategic Projects HND and ASTI projects.

What you'll bring

• Proven experience/expert knowledge in design of Protection and Control equipment and associated ancillaries at voltages of 33kV to 400kV.

• Ability to implement, apply and promote CDM and Health & Safety best practice in a design environment.

• Ability to manage under pressure and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment with a diverse and demanding workload.

• Experience developing detailed design of substation protection and control systems, including drawings, settings calculations and development of IED settings/configuration files.

• Experience in working in a dynamic environment and ensuring delivery of engineering outputs.

• Ability to operate in an environment of uncertainty and incomplete information and make well-reasoned decisions. Lead by example and drive transformational change.

• Excellent presentation skills, including the ability to apply persuasive influence to drive decisions through engineering analysis.

To be successful in a role you will need to demonstrate as a minimum:

• Engineering qualification (BSc/BEng) and/ or postgraduate qualification (MBA, MEng, MSc) or relevant experience. Chartered Engineer preferred.

• Experience in engineering EPC environment of multiple large strategic projects.

• Proven Protection, Substation and Network Control, Automation, Telecommunications and Metering experience including digital substations.

• Knowledge of Transmission Operator Networks health and safety and technical requirements and compliance.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

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 Incentive Plan and Sharesave Scheme

• Payroll giving and charity matched funding

• Technology Vouchers - save more and spread the cost of your technology purposes

• Count us in - pledge to reduce carbon emissions and help fight climate change

• Electric Vehicle Schemes - to help you transition to green/clean driving

• Cycle to Work scheme and public transport season ticket loans

• Options to purchase 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 .