Do you want to help shape the quality and reliability of substation automation solutions used across modern power networks?
GE Vernova is looking for an exceptional Lead IEC 61850 Engineer to join our Electrification team based in Stafford, UK.
GE Vernova - The Energy to Change the World
With over 130 years of experience and proven innovation, GE Vernova is leading a new era of energy. We are electrifying the world while working to decarbonize it. Our name reflects our mission. “GE” carries a legacy of quality and ingenuity. “Ver” signals Earth’s lush ecosystems, while “Nova” nods to a new era of lower-carbon energy we are helping to deliver.
Focused on the future, GE Vernova is accelerating the shift to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy. We help customers power economies and deliver electricity vital to health, safety, and quality of life.
Electrification
Our Electrification solutions modernize grids, enable renewable integration, and strengthen energy systems. From software to power conversion and storage, we help create smarter, more resilient energy networks.
Let’s Talk about the Role
As Lead IEC 61850 Engineer, you lead testing and validation for communication and substation automation solutions that support secure, reliable, and compliant power system performance.
You define and execute test strategies for intelligent electronic devices, communications, and telecoms systems, with a strong focus on IEC 61850 and related utility communication protocols. You work closely with developers, customers, certification bodies, and standards organizations to verify product performance, strengthen quality, and support compliance. You also contribute to automation, test process improvement, and technical standards that help the team deliver better solutions faster.
How You Will Make a Difference
- Developing test cases, test plans, and test reports based on evolving product and customer requirements
- Executing new, regression, and automated test cases for software and communication systems
- Testing software programs against specifications and documentation to verify expected behavior and compliance
- Identifying, analyzing, documenting, and tracking defects, inconsistencies, questionable functions, and software errors using bug tracking systems
- Working closely with developers to troubleshoot issues, resolve defects, and improve software quality
- Creating and executing automated test scripts and supporting automation of future regression test suites
- Installing, maintaining, and using testing software tools and environments
- Reviewing computer logs and reports to identify processing errors and recommend improvements
- Recommending program improvements and revisions to programmers and system analysts
- Ensuring test tracking systems remain accurate and up to date
- Supporting testing of telecoms systems, which is a key requirement for the role
- Liaising with customers, certification bodies, and standards organizations as part of product validation and compliance activities
- Representing the company at international standards and test organization meetings when required
- Contributing to the establishment of standards and procedures for program design and testing
Skills for Success
You are a detail-focused, collaborative test and validation engineer who enjoys solving complex technical problems and improving the quality of mission-critical systems.
- The ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
- The capability to interact successfully with internal and external organizations to achieve results
- An understanding of SCADA and communication protocols
- An understanding of protection of electrical power systems and IEC 61850 procedures
- An understanding of basic networks including TCP/IP
- An understanding of XML
- An understanding of client/server environments
- An understanding of multi-user, stress, and load testing
- An expertise in software and communications testing with a strong analytical and debugging background
- An expertise in writing test scripts and applying sound testing philosophies
- An expertise in automated testing tools and scripting
- Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
- A proactive and solutions-oriented approach
- A commitment to continuous learning and professional development
A formal education and subsequent University Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Computer Engineering, Power Systems, or a related discipline are nice to have, but we are most interested in your total experience and professional achievements.
Where and how you'll work
This is a permanent position based in our Stafford, UK office.
We have a hybrid working model which gives you flexibility to work from our offices and from home.
Our Culture
Every action shapes our future. That’s why our north star is a culture of impact, where everyone is empowered to thrive and achieve.
Addressing the urgent need to build a more sustainable electric power system while improving the trajectory of climate change emissions are global priorities, and we take our responsibility seriously. That is our mission at GE Vernova: continuing to electrify to thrive and decarbonize the world. We play a significant role in leading a new era of energy.
Our technology helps generate approximately twenty-five percent of the world’s electricity today, and we are working to power the rest. If we want the future of energy to be different, then join us and be the difference. Together, we are the Energy of Change!
We're determined to be the best place to grow
We believe that strong careers are built on a variety of experiences, strong connections, and continuous development. We’re committed to providing you the tools to navigate and shape a strong career journey that aligns with a healthy work-life balance. No two careers are the same, and yours should reflect your personal and professional goals. Your people leader and trusted mentors will support you through navigating your journey.
We also prioritize fair pay, performance-based rewards, and wellbeing programs for you and your family. With opportunities to move across teams and functions, your career can keep evolving while sustainability stays at the core of everything we do.
Inclusion & Diversity
We are passionate about creating an inclusive work environment. By valuing the ideas and contributions of a diverse workforce we help inspire others to grow, succeed, and raise the bar for everyone.
As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, GE Vernova is committed to support disadvantaged groups whilst providing equal opportunities for both GE Vernova associates and applicants alike.
Join us at GE Vernova where results can be achieved by embracing a community of belonging.
Additional InformationRelocation Assistance Provided: No
Skills Required
- Experience with IEC 61850 and related utility communication protocols
- Expertise in software and communications testing with strong analytical skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external teams
- Experience in writing automated test scripts and using testing tools
- Formal education in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, or related field
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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