Protection Test Engineer - HV Substation Commissioning
Location: Norwich, United Kingdom (onshore)Start Date: 23rd November 2026
End Date: 31st January 2027
Work Style: Monday to Friday, 10-hour days, with occasional weekends
Contract Status: Outside IR35 (indicative, subject to assessment)
Role Overview
An experienced Protection Test Engineer is required to support testing and commissioning activities at an onshore substation for a major offshore wind project. The role involves executing, coordinating, and witnessing protection-system testing to ensure compliance with technical specifications, quality standards, acceptance criteria, and project requirements. This is a fully site-based assignment near Norwich, United Kingdom.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and execute Site Integration Testing (SIT) of protection systems, including transmission assets and interfaces with the Transmission System Operator, following approved test procedures.
- Witness and review Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) of electrical protection systems, verifying results against agreed acceptance criteria.
- Review protection-relay configurations, technical documentation, contractor designs, and completed test results.
- Provide protection-testing input to commissioning activities, including compliance testing, energisation, and on-load testing.
- Prepare and review test procedures, test sheets, SIT reports, and relevant as-built documentation.
- Identify, record, and follow up on technical issues, non-conformities, and outstanding snags through to close-out.
- Coordinate protection-testing interfaces with suppliers, contractors, commissioning personnel, and engineering teams.
- Carry out testing in accordance with project requirements, industry standards, and site QHSE rules.
- Report testing progress and provide technical input to the planning of site testing and commissioning activities.
- Apply independent technical judgement when planning and executing the agreed testing scope within approved procedures and acceptance criteria.
Expected Deliverables
- Approved SIT test procedures, completed test sheets, and final SIT reports.
- SAT witness records and reviewed SAT results.
- Documented reviews of relay configurations, contractor designs, and test results.
- Protection-testing input to compliance testing, energisation, and on-load testing.
- Issue, non-conformity, and snag records maintained through to close-out.
- Reviewed as-built documentation and regular testing-progress reports.
Requirements
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, or an equivalent relevant qualification.
- Ideally at least three years of practical experience in power-system protection, testing, and commissioning.
- Hands-on experience with protection relays, secondary test equipment, and associated test procedures.
- Practical experience with both Site Acceptance Testing and Site Integration Testing for electrical protection systems.
- Understanding of high-voltage transmission systems, protection schemes, and interfaces with grid operators or TSOs.
- Ability to interpret electrical drawings, protection schematics, contractor designs, and technical specifications.
- Strong communication, coordination, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience working with multidisciplinary engineering, supplier, and commissioning teams.
Advantageous Experience
- Previous experience within offshore wind, substations, or other large-scale power-transmission projects.
- Familiarity with protection IED configuration and secondary-system testing.
- Experience supporting energisation, on-load testing, and compliance activities.
Working Conditions and Compliance
- Onsite role at the onshore substation near Norwich, United Kingdom.
- Normal working pattern is Monday to Friday, with occasional weekend work as required.
- Assignment scheduled from 23rd November 2026 to 31st January 2027.
- Consultant must provide their own laptop and compatible mobile phone, and permit required mobile-device security software to be installed.
- Background verification must be completed before onboarding.
- Indicative status assessment is outside IR35; final determination subject to full assessment.