Senior Protection and Control Engineer

Protection and Control engineering sits at the heart of every high-voltage substation. It is what keeps the grid safe, reliable, and operating within the standards that critical infrastructure demands. If you have spent the last several years building that expertise and you are ready to take it into an international project environment, this is a role worth considering seriously.

Company Information

Our client is a specialist engineering organisation with a strong track record in high-voltage substation design and delivery across international markets. Their teams work on technically complex projects where Protection and Control engineering is central to the outcome. Primary engineers, project managers, and clients all rely on the P&C team to deliver systems that are safe, integrated, and built to last. Technical excellence, cross-discipline collaboration, and adherence to international standards are not just expected here, they are the foundation of how the organisation operates.

Vacancy Information

As Senior or Lead Protection and Control Engineer, you will take ownership of the P&C scope on high-voltage substation projects from early design through to site verification and client handover. You will produce and review all technical documentation, coordinate with primary engineers to ensure full system integration, and engage directly with clients and contractors throughout the project lifecycle.

The work covers new builds, extensions, and renovations across a range of voltage levels and project types. You will be expected to manage your own deliverables, contribute to the wider project team, and bring the kind of technical judgment that comes from genuine experience in the field.

Key Responsibilities

• Designing Protection and Control systems including protection schemes, control and automation systems, and substation telecommunications for HV substation projects.
• Producing and reviewing the full range of P&C documentation including single line diagrams, trip matrices, schematic and wiring diagrams, logic diagrams, IO lists, panel layouts, terminal wiring diagrams, control and LV cable lists, cable routing layouts, load lists, AC and DC calculations, battery and diesel generator sizing calculations, and telecommunication block schematics.
• Selecting and specifying protection relays, meters, communication devices, and control panels in line with project specifications and applicable standards.
• Coordinating with primary engineers throughout the project to ensure seamless integration between primary and Protection and Control systems.
• Supporting protection coordination studies to verify system reliability and safety compliance across all voltage levels.
• Conducting and participating in site visits and inspections to confirm that installed systems comply with design intent and applicable standards.
• Engaging with clients, contractors, and internal project stakeholders to resolve technical issues and keep projects moving forward.

What You Need

• Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Between 8+ years of hands-on experience in Protection and Control engineering within high-voltage substation environments.
• Strong working knowledge of protection schemes, control systems, automation, and substation telecommunications.
• Practical experience with electrical engineering software such as DIgSILENT, EPLAN, ETAP, or PSCAD. Familiarity with ELCAD and AUCOPLAN is a strong advantage.
• Good working knowledge of international standards including IEC, IEEE, and ANSI. Experience with IEC 61850 system design and configuration is an advantage.
• The ability to work independently, meet project deadlines, and coordinate effectively within multidisciplinary international teams.
• Strong communication skills and the confidence to engage directly with clients, contractors, and senior project stakeholders.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.

If you do not meet every requirement but have a strong background in high-voltage Protection and Control engineering and a genuine interest in this field, we still encourage you to apply. The right combination of technical experience, motivation, and willingness to grow can make you a strong candidate.

Relocation

This position is based in the Netherlands and will require relocation. We understand that making an international move is a significant decision and we are here to make that process as straightforward as possible.

As part of your contract, FairPlay Engineering provides a Premium Relocation Package. This includes visa sponsorship, guidance before your move, and dedicated support from a relocation consultant throughout the process. You can find more information on the Relocating with us page on our website.

Apply

We appreciate every application we receive. Because this is a specialised role, we will contact candidates whose experience closely matches the requirements.

If you have not heard from us within two weeks, your application has unfortunately not been selected for the next step.

FairPlay Engineering specialises in recruiting engineers for roles in the Netherlands. If this vacancy is not the right match for you, keep an eye on our vacancies page for future opportunities.