Lead IEC Test Engineer

Job Description Summary
Job Description

Do you want to help shape the quality and reliability of substation automation solutions used across modern power networks?

GE Vernova is looking for an exceptional Lead IEC 61850 Engineer to join our Electrification team based in Stafford, UK .

GE Vernova - The Energy to Change the World

With over 130 years of experience and proven innovation, GE Vernova is leading a new era of energy. We are electrifying the world while working to decarbonize it. Our name reflects our mission. “GE” carries a legacy of quality and ingenuity. “Ver” signals Earth’s lush ecosystems, while “Nova” nods to a new era of lower-carbon energy we are helping to deliver.

Focused on the future, GE Vernova is accelerating the shift to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy. We help customers power economies and deliver electricity vital to health, safety, and quality of life.

Electrification

Our Electrification solutions modernize grids, enable renewable integration, and strengthen energy systems. From software to power conversion and storage, we help create smarter, more resilient energy networks.

Let’s Talk about the Role

As Lead IEC 61850 Engineer , you lead testing and validation for communication and substation automation solutions that support secure, reliable, and compliant power system performance.

You define and execute test strategies for intelligent electronic devices, communications, and telecoms systems, with a strong focus on IEC 61850 and related utility communication protocols. You work closely with developers, customers, certification bodies, and standards organizations to verify product performance, strengthen quality, and support compliance. You also contribute to automation, test process improvement, and technical standards that help the team deliver better solutions faster.

How You Will Make a Difference

• Developing test cases, test plans, and test reports based on evolving product and customer requirements
• Executing new, regression, and automated test cases for software and communication systems
• Testing software programs against specifications and documentation to verify expected behavior and compliance
• Identifying, analyzing, documenting, and tracking defects, inconsistencies, questionable functions, and software errors using bug tracking systems
• Working closely with developers to troubleshoot issues, resolve defects, and improve software quality
• Creating and executing automated test scripts and supporting automation of future regression test suites
• Installing, maintaining, and using testing software tools and environments
• Reviewing computer logs and reports to identify processing errors and recommend improvements
• Recommending program improvements and revisions to programmers and system analysts
• Ensuring test tracking systems remain accurate and up to date
• Supporting testing of telecoms systems, which is a key requirement for the role
• Liaising with customers, certification bodies, and standards organizations as part of product validation and compliance activities
• Representing the company at international standards and test organization meetings when required
• Contributing to the establishment of standards and procedures for program design and testing

Skills for Success

You are a detail-focused, collaborative test and validation engineer who enjoys solving complex technical problems and improving the quality of mission-critical systems.

• The ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• The capability to interact successfully with internal and external organizations to achieve results
• An understanding of SCADA and communication protocols
• An understanding of protection of electrical power systems and IEC 61850 procedures
• An understanding of basic networks including TCP/IP
• An understanding of XML
• An understanding of client/server environments
• An understanding of multi-user, stress, and load testing
• An expertise in software and communications testing with a strong analytical and debugging background
• An expertise in writing test scripts and applying sound testing philosophies
• An expertise in automated testing tools and scripting
• Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• A proactive…