Principal Protection & Control Engineer - Transmission & Distribution

Description

Chart your own course and change the world — with the support of people whose interests are aligned with yours. At Burns & McDonnell, opportunity is waiting. We’re looking for people with big ideas and an entrepreneurial mindset. It’s those kinds of people who’ve helped us grow from a small consulting business back in 1898 to a global leader in engineering, architecture and construction solutions.

Today, we’re a thriving company with more than 10,000 professionals working in 75 offices worldwide and recognised as a leader in transmission & distribution services.

To act in a senior and principal technical capacity in producing Burns & McDonnell’s UK engineering‑related project deliverables relating to power system Protection & Control (P&C) within the Transmission & Distribution Global Practice. This includes (but is not limited to):

• Direct the strategic Protection & Control design of major transmission and distribution projects from concept through detailed design and construction support, defining technical requirements in alignment with project and client objectives.
• Serve as the ultimate technical authority for Protection & Control engineering within the UK business, setting technical standards, approving design philosophies, and acting as the final point of escalation for complex technical matters.
• Undertake senior leadership roles on complex, multi‑disciplinary engineering teams, including acting as Lead Project Engineer where required.
• Lead the successful delivery, technical quality, and approval of Protection & Control engineering deliverables across the UK business, including detailed substation P&C design packages from 11kV up to 400kV, with particular emphasis on 132kV and above.
• Provide technical authority for power system studies, protection philosophies, protection settings, relay configuration files, calculations, and associated technical documentation.
• Serve as the ultimate technical authority in the preparation and approval of equipment specifications, RFQs, technical bid evaluations, vendor drawing reviews, and final technical recommendations.
• Execute and approve complex engineering assignments requiring advanced techniques, originality, and sound engineering judgement, including development of non‑standard and innovative P&C design solutions.
• Undertake senior consultancy roles on FEED and early‑stage projects, including authoring and presenting authoritative technical reports and recommendations to clients.
• Establish, enforce, and hold accountability for the Protection & Control quality assurance framework, including technical reviews, approvals, and final design sign‑off.
• Act as Contractor Design Approval Engineer (CDAE) in accordance with National Grid TP137, and as TP141 Protection Setting Engineer in accordance with TP141 and TP107 procedures, where required.
• Ensure compliance with CDM Regulations, applicable legislation, client standards, and Burns & McDonnell design management standards, processes, and the UK Integrated Management System (IMS).
• Champion and drive a Safety by Design approach, embedding safety, constructability, operability, and maintainability throughout the full asset lifecycle.
• Support the Protection & Control Section Manager in developing and enhancing the UK P&C capability, including mentoring engineers, identifying skills gaps, and supporting recruitment and succession planning.
• Work closely with other UK Transmission & Distribution engineering sections to enable effective cross‑disciplinary collaboration and optimal engineering outcomes.
• Cultivate and maintain senior‑level client technical relationships, supporting marketing, business development, proposals, and tender activities.
• Act as an industry technical leader in Protection & Control engineering, contributing to professional bodies and industry groups, maintaining Continued Professional Development, and acting as an ambassador for Burns & McDonnell.
• Undertake other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (or related field) required AND
• 13 years of protection & control engineering design experience OR
• Master's degree in engineering (or related field) and 12 years of…