Lead Commissioning Engineer

Senior/Lead Commissioning Engineer
75k - 85k
UK based travel

Responsibilities:

• Lead the commissioning and testing of high-voltage systems, ensuring all works are completed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with client and industry standards.
• Act as the technical authority on HV testing and commissioning activities - providing expert guidance on complex protection, control, and HV equipment systems.
• Plan, execute, and document pre-commissioning and commissioning phases for substations, transformers, switchgear, and protection systems.
• Oversee system energisation and handover, ensuring the delivery of a fully tested, operational, and compliant installation ready for client acceptance.
• Conduct and interpret advanced HV testing, including:
• Primary and secondary injection testing of protection relays
• Contact resistance (Ductor) and insulation resistance tests
• AC dielectric withstand tests
• CT/VT ratio, polarity, and burden checks
• End-to-end scheme verification and functional testing
• Transformer ratio, winding resistance, and polarity tests
• Provide technical input during FAT, SAT, and site commissioning - identifying design or installation issues early and implementing robust corrective actions.
• Ensure all test results, commissioning schedules, and handover documentation are accurately maintained, signed off, and issued in accordance with project requirements.
• Champion safety excellence on site by maintaining and enforcing rigorous Health & Safety standards and ensuring all documentation is compliant and up to date.
• Collaborate with design and protection engineers to review relay settings, logic configurations, and protection coordination prior to testing and energisation.
• Support training and technical development of junior engineers and technicians through knowledge sharing and on-site mentoring.

Skills, Experience, and Qualifications

• HNC/HND or Degree in Electrical or Power Engineering.
• Minimum 8-10 years' experience in high-voltage testing and commissioning, ideally within the Power Transmission, Distribution, or Utilities sectors.
• Proven expertise in HV substation commissioning (up to and including 132kV or higher).
• Strong working knowledge of protection schemes, control systems, and primary plant equipment (switchgear, transformers, CTs/VTs, circuit breakers).
• Hands-on experience with major OEM protection relays (e.g. Siemens, GE, Schneider, ABB, SEL) including configuration, settings, and testing.
• Skilled in analysing test data, identifying root causes of faults, and implementing practical engineering solutions.
• Experienced in performing or witnessing FAT, SAT, and system energisation on live HV networks.
• High attention to detail, strong technical reporting and documentation capability.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills when interfacing with clients, network operators, and project teams.
• Full UK driving licence and flexibility to travel to various project sites as required.