Technical Director – Protection & Control (P&C) Substations

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We are seeking an experienced Technical Director – Protection & Control (P&C) to join our Transmission & Distribution team, leading the technical delivery of high-voltage substation infrastructure projects.

In this role, you will provide strategic technical leadership, engineering governance, and quality oversight for protection and control systems across HV substation projects. You will guide engineering teams and technical leads through all project phases, from concept and feasibility through detailed design, construction support, and commissioning, ensuring safe, reliable, and compliant substation operation.

You will play a key role in developing engineering teams, defining technical strategies, ensuring design quality, and maintaining strong relationships with clients and project stakeholders.

 

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Project Oversight

• Provide technical leadership and oversight for protection and control systems across HV substation projects.

• Define engineering strategies, protection philosophies, and technical approaches aligned with client requirements and industry standards.

• Oversee the development and review of critical secondary engineering deliverables, including:

o Protection and control schematics

o Interlocking and control logic diagrams

o Relay configuration and functional design specifications

o Protection coordination and relay settings philosophy

• Ensure proper integration of protection systems, SCADA interfaces, communication networks, and primary substation equipment.

• Provide technical assurance and governance, ensuring engineering deliverables meet quality standards and technical requirements.

• Support complex technical decisions related to protection schemes, automation systems, and network protection strategies.

• Provide high-level technical support during construction, testing, commissioning, and energisation phases.

 

Team Leadership & Engineering Management

• Lead and develop teams of protection and control engineers, technical leads, and discipline specialists.

• Provide technical mentorship and career development guidance to engineering staff.

• Coordinate engineering resources across projects to ensure efficient delivery and technical consistency.

• Establish and maintain engineering standards, design procedures, and technical best practices across the organization.

• Promote a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the engineering team.

 

Client Engagement & Multidisciplinary Coordination

• Act as technical authority and key client interface for protection and control engineering matters.

• Work closely with project directors, engineering managers, and multidisciplinary teams to support successful project delivery.

• Coordinate with primary, civil, system studies, and commissioning teams to ensure fully integrated substation solutions.

• Support technical proposals, bid strategies, and project planning for major infrastructure programs.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Experience

• Typically 15-20+ years of experience in protection and control engineering for HV substations

• Proven experience leading large substation engineering projects and multidisciplinary teams

• Experience providing technical governance and engineering oversight across complex infrastructure projects

• Demonstrated leadership in developing and managing engineering teams

 

Technical Skills

Strong expertise in:

• Protection and control system design for HV substations (line, transformer, busbar, and feeder protection schemes)

• Substation automation systems and SCADA integration

• Protection coordination studies and relay settings philosophy

• Control logic, interlocking schemes, and communication networks

• Integration of protection systems with primary equipment and system studies

 

Experience with engineering tools and platforms such as:

• AutoCAD

• Protection relay configuration and analysis tools

• Relay software

 

Leadership & Soft Skills

• Strong technical leadership and engineering governance capabilities

• Experience managing engineering teams and multidisciplinary technical delivery

• Strategic thinking and complex problem-solving abilities

• Excellent client engagement and stakeholder communication skills

• Ability to maintain high technical standards and design quality across projects

 

Nice to Have

• Experience working on UK transmission or distribution substation projects

• Exposure to National Grid standards and protection philosophies

• Experience with IEC 61850 substation automation systems

• Experience with protection relays such as ABB, GE, Siemens, or SEL

• Commissioning and field testing experience

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent professional certification

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.