Lead Engineer - Protection Asset Strategy

Lead Engineer - Protection Asset Strategy

Can be based in Glasgow G2 5AD or Prenton CH43 3ET

Salary from £63,200

Permanent/Hybrid

Closing Date: 7th July 2026

Purpose

Ensuring a reliable and efficient grid that supports the UK’s Net Zero targets, you will define, approve and monitor asset management strategies and policies for Protection Systems across the Transmission and Distribution Networks, aligned with SP Energy Network’s Asset Management objectives.

Providing technical input to the development and continuous improvement of Protection asset risk and performance methodologies, you will define Protection investment need cases and support regulatory submissions for Protection Systems. 

Responsibilities
Providing governance oversight for Protection policies, ensuring consistent application across Transmission and Distribution and alignment with SP Energy Network’s asset management framework, you will define, approve and monitor policies related to the application, design and resilience of Protection Systems which will include Inspection, Maintenance, Defects Management and End-of-Life policies.

Defining and governing the asset data framework for Protection systems, supporting effective policy implementation, risk assessment and long-term planning, you will support the digitalisation of Protection Systems, including IEC 61850 architectures whilst supporting the development of asset data models and information systems to ensure suitability for monitoring policy implementation and compliance with NIS Cyber Security regulations.

Supporting the development of asset risk and performance methodologies which inform investment strategies feeding into the Asset Risk methodology, you will define strategic long-term plans for Protection Systems, developing investment need cases, stablishing effective communication with Operational teams to monitor delivery of business plans.

Leading the review of Protection faults and failures, articulating lessons learned and remediation actions in a consistent manner, you will be at the forefront of industry innovation for Protection Assets, leveraging new technologies to improve network performance.

Working collaboratively with Operations, Planning, Cyber Security, Telecoms and Standards teams to ensure Protection strategies are deliverable, compliant and technically robust, you will work closely with Telecoms teams to ensure Protection Systems have appropriate communications resilience, diversity and alignment with Protection policies and NIS requirements.

Representing SP Energy Networks in industry and Government forums on Protection Systems, ensuring SP Energy Network’s asset management position is clearly understood and positively reflected, you will ensure long-term asset stewardship to maximise outperformance opportunities from regulatory settlements whilst maintaining and improving system integrity and NIS compliance.

What you’ll bring

To be successful in this position, you will need to demonstrate (as minimum) your degree education in a relevant Engineering discipline.

With expert knowledge of Protection Systems for electrical networks, including the use of IEC 61850, you will possess good knowledge of protection setting co-ordination.

Experienced in working with UK Transmission and Distribution owners (Transmission and Distribution Protection and Control would be an added advantage), you will understand asset management systems and the ISO 55000 framework, with further understanding of regulatory requirements impacting SP Energy Networks, particularly NIS regulations.

Able to translate strategic thinking and direction into policies and deliverable plans, you will possess a strong commercial understanding of value and risk inherent in SP Energy Networks, with the ability to understand complex industry mechanisms and identify and drive value-enhancing opportunities.

Influencing and collaborating with senior managers across SP Energy Networks and the wider industry, you will possess excellent communication skills and an ability to present technical matters to a non-technical audience.

Whats in it for you

As well as a competitive salary which is reviewed annually, you can also enjoy a number of other benefits. With our pension scheme, we’ll double match your contribution up to a company contribution of 10%. 

At ScottishPower, we believe it’s the little things we do in life that make a big difference. From helping you look after your family’s wellbeing, save for your future and take personal steps for climate action – our benefits are designed to help you do just that - so that you have everything you need to take care of your world – today and tomorrow. That’s why our benefits include:

• 36 days annual leave

• Holiday purchase – perfect your work/life balance with extra annual leave

• Share Incentive Plan and Sharesave Scheme

• Payroll giving and charity matched funding

• Technology Vouchers – save more and spread the cost of your technology purchases

• Count us in – pledge to reduce carbon emissions and help fight climate change

• Electric Vehicle Schemes – to help you transition to green/clean driving

• Cycle to Work scheme and public transport season ticket loans

• Options to purchase dental insurance, private medical insurance, health cash plan and annual health assessments

• Life Assurance (4x salary)

• Access to ‘nudge’ financial wellbeing support

• Plus shopping, leisure, restaurant and gym discounts, and unique employee deals on travel insurance and more

Why SP Energy Networks

SP Energy Networks is part of the Iberdrola Group, one of the world’s largest integrated utility companies and a world leader in wind energy. We keep electricity flowing to homes and businesses through Central and Southern Scotland, North Wales and in the North West of England. We operate over 4000km of cables and lines that make-up the transmission network – connecting infrastructure like wind farms into the electricity system. It’s a role that puts us right at the heart of Scotland’s ambition to be Net Zero by 2044. And we’re taking it very seriously.

We’re investing >£10.6 billion into our transmission network, directly supporting the rapid growth needed in renewable energy. With diverse opportunities across our businesses and a commitment to invest in our own internal talent, ScottishPower can offer people real career opportunities that meet personal and professional goals, in a global organisation.

Inclusion, diversity, and a social purpose are at the heart of everything we do. Together with our values, they bring us together into a stronger, more sustainable business with direct links to the communities we serve. It takes all kinds of people to build a large-scale business like ours, so whatever your background, you’ll fit right in.

We are committed to providing reasonable support or adjustments in our recruiting processes for candidates with disabilities, long term conditions, mental health conditions, or who are neurodivergent or require pregnancy-related support. If you need support, please reach out to careers@scottishpower.com.

Mobility

Please note that any applicant who is not a citizen of the country of the vacancy will be subject to compliance with the applicable immigration requirements to legally work in that country. If/when required, the Company will support the employee with the necessary Immigration requirements.

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