Why we come to work: At GE Renewable Energy, our engineers are always up for the challenge - and we’re always driven to find the best solution. Our projects are unique and interesting, and you’ll need to bring a solution-focused, positive approach to each one to do your best. Surrounded by committed, loyal colleagues, if you can dare to bring your ingenuity and desire to make an impact, you’ll be exposed to game-changing, diverse projects that truly allow you to play your part in the energy transition.
What we offer:
• Working in an international team which is part of global Engineering HVDC Centre of Ex-cellence within Grid Integration based in Stafford.
• A key role in a dynamic, international working environment with a large degree of flexi-bility of work agreements
• Competitive benefits, and great development opportunitiesJob Description
The transition to a cleaner, more reliable global energy grid isn't a future ambition — it's happening now, and the digital control and protection systems you design are what make it possible. As a Lead Control & Automation Systems Engineer within GE Vernova's High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Centre of Excellence in Stafford, you'll take end-to-end technical ownership of some of the most complex power control systems in the world.
This is a People Leader role with deep individual contributor responsibilities — a position where your expertise shapes live projects, your decisions carry real weight, and your mentorship actively develops the next generation of power systems engineers. If you want a role that combines technical leadership with genuine impact on the energy transition, this is it.
- Lead control system design and delivery — own the full lifecycle of digital control system development, including requirements definition, configuration, testing, and commissioning of HVDC Control & Protection systems; oversee network and cybersecurity design, control panel documentation, and Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) witnessing.
- Drive IEC 61850 implementation — lead the configuration of IEC 61850 Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs) using vendor-specific and System Configuration Tools (SCT); generate Substation Configuration description Language (SCL) files; and lead testing and debugging of complex IEC 61850 communication systems using tools such as IEDScout and Wireshark.
- Deliver integration and automation — coordinate HVDC control system interfaces with Balance of Plant (BoP) equipment and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems; lead Local Area Network (LAN) and communication architecture design; configure industrial Ethernet switches, routers, and satellite clocks; and lead configuration of Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), Bay Control Units (BCUs), and Merging Units in digital substation environments.
- Produce and approve technical documentation — define main Input/Output (I/O) lists; analyse signal interfaces; and produce detailed design documentation including electrical schematics, wire and cable schedules, routine test specifications, general assembly drawings, and Bills of Materials (BoMs).
- Lead people and process — coach and develop your team, drive consistent design practices and global process standards, review and approve deliverables, and contribute to continuous improvement in delivery speed, system stability, and reliability.
You're an experienced control and protection systems engineer with a strong track record in digital substation automation and a natural ability to lead technical teams and deliver complex projects.
Required
- A formal education in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related discipline provides a strong foundation for this role; however, we are most interested in your total experience and professional achievements.
- Significant, proven experience in control and protection system design within power or substation environments, with a demonstrated background in digital substation automation.
- Demonstrated expertise configuring Substation Bay Control Units, Merging Units, IEC 61850 IEDs, Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs), and SCADA systems.
- Working knowledge of industrial communication networks including IEC 61850, Ethernet-based protocols, and Layer 2 and Layer 3 protocols — including IPv4, Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), Virtual Private Network (VPN), DNP3, and Modbus.
- Knowledge of communication network security, hardening techniques, and cybersecurity best practices for industrial control environments.
- Experience developing electrical designs and control and protection relay logic for industrial control systems.
Preferred
- Proven technical leadership in a complex systems engineering environment, with a track record of making independent technical decisions and engaging subject matter experts when needed.
- Track record of designing systems that meet or exceed design requirements, cost targets, and reliability expectations.
- Knowledge of Distribution Management System / Advanced Distribution Management System (DMS/ADMS) integration within HVDC or substation control environments.
GE Vernova is a global energy technology company on a mission to electrify and decarbonise the world. Our Grid Solutions business at Stafford is a recognised centre of global excellence in HVDC technology — delivering the transmission systems that make large-scale renewable energy integration possible.
GE Vernova employees rise to the challenge of building a world that works. We offer varied, competitive benefits designed to reward performance and help you manage your personal and family needs. We invest in your development through continued on-the-job learning opportunities, and in a role like this — at the heart of one of the most technically advanced HVDC programmes in the world — you'll grow your career in ways few other environments can offer.
Additional InformationRelocation Assistance Provided: No
Skills Required
- Strong experience in control and protection system design within power environments
- Expertise in configuring IEC 61850 IEDs and SCADA systems
- Knowledge of industrial communication protocols and cybersecurity best practices
GE Vernova Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about GE Vernova and has not been reviewed or approved by GE Vernova.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) plan includes company matching contributions and additional company retirement contributions, with access to Fidelity resources and financial planning consultants. Feedback suggests this structure supports long-term savings beyond a basic match.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave is available with flexible, continuous or non-continuous usage, and is complemented by adoption resources and Work/Life Connections guidance. Maternity leave is described as extended relative to typical workplace norms.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off programs include 12 paid holidays, permissive time off for many salaried roles, and dedicated personal, illness, and caregiving time for U.S. new hires. Some hourly roles start with a defined PTO bank, while other roles may offer unlimited time off.
GE Vernova Insights
What We Do
GE Vernova is a planned purpose-built company on a mission to electrify the planet while simultaneously working to decarbonize it. If we want our energy future to be different…we must be different. Our mission is embedded in our name. We retain our treasured legacy, “GE,” in our name as an enduring and hard-earned badge of quality and ingenuity. “Ver” / “verde” signal Earth’s verdant and lush ecosystems. “Nova,” from the Latin “novus,” nods to a new, innovative era of lower carbon energy that GE Vernova will help deliver. GE Vernova brings together GE’s portfolio of energy businesses including Power, Wind, Electrification and Digital businesses. With focus, GE Vernova is accelerating the path to more reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy, while helping our customers power economies and deliver the electricity that is vital to health, safety, security, and improved quality of life. Together, we have The Energy to Change the World.
Why Work With Us
Join our team, to evolve and grow, surrounded by some of the brightest minds in the industry who help you get better every day. You’ll get the chance to rewrite the rules, work on cutting-edge technology, and be part of a global team for positive change.
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