HVDC Engineer

Role purpose

This is a full-time role, reporting to the Moyle Operations Manager.

Duration: The post is a permanent position. Employment will be subject to a probationary period of six months. Performance of duties will be monitored and appraised during this period.

Salary:  Attractive salary (dependent on candidate experience). There is a bonus scheme, for which the successful applicant will be eligible.

Location: Based at Mutual Energy Ltd, The Arena Building, 85 Ormeau Road, Belfast, with the ability to travel to sites in NI and southwest Scotland, and to meetings in the British Isles and Europe.

The HVDC Engineer is a specialist role in an exciting area of the industry. The successful candidate will get the opportunity to develop a detailed knowledge of a complex HVDC interconnector, and its interaction with the Northern Irish and Scottish electricity transmission systems. They will carry out analysis of actual data from the interconnector to diagnose and resolve any performance (availability, reliability, or power quality) issues, in conjunction with the Siemens Energy Long Term Maintenance Agreement (LTMA) team. They will also apply power system modelling knowledge to understand the interactions between Moyle and the transmission systems it connects. They will act as key liaison between the business and The National HVDC Centre, where Moyle hosts its replica controls system. Finally, they will gain a deep understanding of the controls which manage the interconnector.

Key Duties

Key duties will include;

System Modelling & Grid Code compliance

• Liaison with Transmission System Operators and other stakeholders on technical issues, ensuring Grid Code compliance,

•  Delivery of necessary system studies (either using The National HVDC Centre, or other consultants), and presentation of technical data and investigation results to both technical and non-technical clients and colleagues,

•  Ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation and technical standards.

Control processes

• Monitoring the performance of the Moyle Interconnector, and identification of performance issues relating to availability, reliability and power quality, through detailed analysis of available data, and investigation of control system behaviour,

•  Development of solutions and ensuring effective documentation, change control, testing and implementation, in conjunction with the LTMA team,

Liaison with the Mutual Energy IT team, and Siemens Energy, on Cyber Security management,

•  Critical spares management in conjunction with Siemens Energy.

Technical stakeholder engagement

• Effective management and continued development of relationships with a diverse range of contractors, consultants, and other electricity sector stakeholders,

•  Confident and clear technical communication with senior management and colleagues, industry leaders and regulatory authorities,

•  Participation in relevant industry working groups (for example, CIGRE, Interconnector Operators Group and IET).

Corporate

• Demonstration of leadership in health, safety, security, and environmental management, including audit through site and work inspections,

• Challenge, review and improvement of existing operations systems and processes, including revision, implementation and operation of life-cycle asset management techniques and processes,

•  Assistance with management of contracts, and contractors, including budget setting and tracking, and contractor audit, in line with relevant legislation and policy,

•  Participation in out of hours stand by rotas for operational incidents and emergencies,

The above is given as a broad range of duties and responsibilities and is not intended as a complete description of all tasks.

Essential Criteria

• A third level qualification 
• A minimum of three year’s relevant experience in the electricity generation, transmission and distribution sector,
• Detailed knowledge of;
  • High Voltage Direct Current electricity transmission, or
  • High Voltage SCADA and control & protection systems, or
  • Programmable Logic Controllers within the energy sector
• Detailed knowledge of relevant electricity industry legislation, codes and guidance,
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle for business purposes or alternatively access to a form of transport which will permit travel to meet the requirements of this role,
• Experience in using the MS Office range of applications,
• A right to work in the UK.

Desirable Criteria

• Specialisation in Power System Engineering will be an advantage,
• Working knowledge of HV cable maintenance,
• Working knowledge of one or more power system modelling or analysis tools (for example, PSCAD, PowerFactory, PSSE or IPSA),
• Detailed knowledge of GB, NI and RoI Grid Codes and associated EU Network Codes, sector legislation and guidance,
• Ability to implement and deliver change initiatives for Mutual Energy gaining buy-in and commitment from internal and external stakeholders and actively managing resistance,
• Detailed knowledge of electricity transmission systems including data acquisition and analysis hardware and software, SCADA, and Control & Protection systems,
• Working knowledge of FACTS devices and services,
• Working knowledge of asset management including ISO 55001,
• Affiliation to a professional body e.g. IET, with ambition to achieve chartered status,
• Experience of effectively managing others including the ability to motivate people to improve performance and meet business objectives.

Key Competencies

We would expect the successful candidate to be able to demonstrate the core competencies below and have the ambition and capability to develop them.

Customer Focus

Professional integrity, delivery of stakeholder requirements, enhancement of company reputation through proactive external engagement.

Management Systems

Development, planning and delivery of management systems, promotion of a strong Health & Safety culture, support for Asset Management and Cyber Security Management systems, contribution to the corporate risk management processes.

Technical

Company expert on HVDC control and protection, ability to critically review HVDC performance and to develop improvements, ability to investigate any issues, and problem solve within Change Control, comply with all relevant legislation and other codes.

Commercial

Appreciation of the financial management structure applicable to the company, compliance with corporate financial governance.

Stakeholder engagement

Clear and articulate communication of complex issues to relevant internal and external stakeholders, in all media (written, verbal, presentation), while building excellent relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and with industry technical experts, and providing strong leadership on technical issues both with colleagues and partners.

Personal Effectiveness

Prioritisation, planning and delivery. Resilience in challenging operational environments. Strong personal presentation, and effective team working as part of a small cohesive team, demonstrating respect and dignity towards others. Prepared to work flexibly (both time and location). Provide leadership in sharing of information and development of colleagues’ skills and knowledge. Demonstrate keenness for Continuing Professional Development. Demonstrate creative and structured problem-solving skills and complex data analysis.

Applying for the role

To apply please click on the APPLY NOW button below to forward an up to date CV.

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