Principal Protection Engineer

Business: Siemens Smart Infrastructure – Electrification & Automation (Digital Grid)

Location: UK-Wide Remote

Salary: £70,000 – £85,000 

Do you want to accelerate the digital transformation of grids?

The UK energy sector is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades. Following our appointment to the National Grid 5-Year Light Current Framework, Siemens Digital Grid is delivering resilient, next-generation protection and control systems for critical substations across the UK.

As a Principal Design Engineer (Protection), you will serve as the technical authority—shaping protection architecture, guiding multidisciplinary engineering teams, and optimizing engineering delivery for lower-carbon transmission and distribution projects 

During your initial onboarding and induction phase, you will spend 2–3 days per week on-site at our Hebburn facility to get hands-on with our systems, integrate with the team, and complete role-specific training. Once established, you will work remotely with occasional travel to the Hebburn office. 

How you will create impact

• Deliver high-voltage transmission protection and control systems for key utility and infrastructure clients across diverse operating environments.
• Act as the technical lead for one of our Protection engineering teams, actively coaching and mentoring engineers to support their professional growth.
• Review, refine, and optimise our Protection Engineering workflows to drive engineering efficiency, right-first-time quality, and on-schedule project delivery.
• Serve as the technical authority on protection schemes for UK Transmission and Distribution network projects.
• Ensure all Siemens protection and control solutions strictly adhere to the latest client policies, safety rules, and industry standards.
• Maintain strong relationships with clients, delivering high customer satisfaction and upholding rigorous engineering standards.
• Apply structured fault-finding, analytical thinking, and root-cause analysis to resolve 
• Provide expert technical feedback and guidance to Sales, Proposals, and Operations teams to support project execution and bid development.

What we are looking for

• Experience in electrical protection & control for UK Transmission & Distribution networks (schemes, cubicle design, relay settings, or FAT).
• Working knowledge of National Grid specifications and delivery processes on brownfield extensions or greenfield builds.
• Background as a Contractor Design Approval Engineer (or ready to step up with our mentorship).
• Experience with protection and simulation software (knowledge of SIPROTEC / DIGSI is a bonus).
• Strong communication skills to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, EPCs, and utility customers.
• A HNC, HND, or Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent practical experience in the T&D sector).

What we can offer

• Base salary: £70,000 – £85,000 (dependent on experience)
• Performance-Based Bonus: Enjoy an annual bonus linked to the company's performance 
• Flexible Working Hours: Achieve a healthy work-life balance with our flexible working arrangements 
• Pension Plan: Secure your future with our generous pension scheme, with employer contributions up to 10%. 
• Time Off: Recharge and rejuvenate with 26 days of annual leave (plus bank holidays), and the option to buy or sell an additional 5 days!