Lead Protection & Control Substation Engineer

Joining Arup

Arup undertakes transmission and distribution design projects across the globe. In the UK we deliver concept through to detail design for a wide range of clients including established asset owners and new market entrants (interconnectors, private wire schemes etc).

As an example, Arup recently formed a joint venture with AECOM to serve as the design and consenting service partner for the UK National Grid’s Great Grid Partnership. Over a period of 8–12 years, Arup will help deliver key aspects of the transmission grid transformation, ensuring a resilient, low‑carbon energy network for the future. This is the UK’s major grid modernisation programme, set to deliver five times more electricity infrastructure than has been built in the past three decades.

These projects, part of the Accelerated Strategic Transmission Investment (ASTI) framework, will enhance the country’s energy backbone, supporting planned renewable developments such as wind farms in the North Sea and East Anglia coastline. By expanding and enhancing the grid, this programme will accelerate the transition to net‑zero, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and drive down energy costs.

This collaboration will drive a comprehensive design and construction programme aimed at connecting clean energy to homes and businesses across England and Wales by 2030 and beyond.

Watch this short clip to discover how Arup are shaping a better world and how you could be a part of it!

Technical leadership and strategic delivery of transmission substation protection and control systems. In this role, you will deliver excellence in design, act as lead interface with multidisciplinary design teams and ensure the successful execution of complex projects that underpin the reliability and resilience of the power network.

• Provide technical leadership and direction for protection and control engineering across multiple projects.
• Define best practices, standards, and methodologies for substation protection and automation systems.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders on grid protection strategies and emerging technologies.

• Oversee design, configuration, and implementation of advanced protection and control schemes for transmission substations.
• Ensure compliance with IEC, IEEE, and national grid standards while driving innovation in system design.
• Manage project budgets, timelines, and resource allocation for engineering teams.

• Mentor and develop junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement.
• Lead technical reviews and provide authoritative guidance on complex engineering challenges.

• Serve as the main technical interface for clients, regulators, and contractors.
• Support tendering processes with authoritative technical input and cost optimisation strategies.

• Serve as the primary technical interface for clients, regulators, and contractors.
• Represent the organisation in industry forums and contribute to shaping future standards.

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline;
  Chartered Engineer status essential.
• Extensive experience in substation protection and control engineering (HV/EHV systems).
• Proven track record of leading engineering teams and delivering large‑scale projects.
• Expertise in protection relays, SCADA systems, and communication protocols (IEC 61850, DNP3, etc.).
• Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and stakeholder management skills.
• Familiarity with power system analysis tools (such as ETAP, DIgSILENT, or similar).
• Previous National Grid experience (preferred but not essential).

Not ready to apply just yet, or have a few questions? Contact:  - please note, to ensure we remain GDPR compliant do not send your CV directly to us via this email.

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career…