Principal Engineer - Time Systems

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Base

Location:

For this role, we require successful applicants to be based from one of our Scottish locations – Perth, Inverness or Aberdeen.

Salary: £58,100 - £87,100 + car allowance + performance‑related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available

As part of our journey, we're looking for a Principal Engineer - Real Time Systems (RTS) to join our specialist Network Engineering team. You'll play a vital role in defining technical policy, influencing industry standards, and supporting the delivery of innovative, future‑ready projects across our high‑voltage transmission network related to RTS.

• Write, review, and maintain technical specifications required for all real time system (RTS) architectures and equipment used in the SSEN Transmission network substations including Ethernet networks, RTUs, HMIs and substation control systems. Updates will be based upon stakeholder engagement and technology advancement where you will use your excellent communication skills to justify the changes technically and economically.
• As a Technical Authority and working in conjunction with the Technical Assurance engineers, ensure that all RTS equipment types are safe, adequately tested, configured, and validated prior to approval for use on the network.
• Assist the Design Authority to verify project proposals for substation control systems are fit for purpose and identify any scope changes required to ensure the network is adequately managed in accordance with legislation, Grid Code and specifications.
• Provide technical consultancy services across the SSEN Transmission business, encouraging the development of staff and have a willingness to share your specialist expert knowledge.
• Represent SSEN Transmission at industry body events such as ENA, IEC or CIGRE working groups and attend conferences to support engineering development and feedback best practice to our business.

• A degree in Electrical Engineering or other relevant engineering discipline and you should be a Chartered Engineer with a relevant institution or working towards chartered status.
• Demonstrable experience in design, testing and specification of control systems, including the use of IEC
  61850, PTP and its associated Ethernet architectures within electrical substations or similar environment. Knowledge of fibre installation, serial connectivity, DNP3 and other control system protocols will be highly beneficial. Be comfortable to technically assess issues and critically assess a range of proposed technical solutions.
• Knowledge and understanding of a range of Real Time System (SCADA) related International Standards. Knowledge of implementation of cybersecurity best practices within a substation or other operational technology environment, as well as communications technologies and systems would be preferable.
• Excellent communication skills allowing you to communicate at all levels on a range of technical subjects. This includes the ability to form structured and reasoned justification in your guidance and support to others, along with the ability to write clear and well‑structured technical reports and specifications.
• The ability to prioritise your workload in an organised and methodical manner in order to meet targets and deadlines.

SSE has a bold ambition – to be a leading energy company in a net zero world. We're investing around £10 million a day in homegrown energy to help power a cleaner, more secure future. SSEN Transmission own and operate the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland. We transport energy from where it is generated to where it is needed, ensuring a safe and reliable electricity supply for the communities we serve.

But that's not all – we're upgrading the grid to deliver cleaner, homegrown energy for the future and building a network for net zero to create secure power for generations to come.

Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships. Wellbeing…