Senior Protection Engineer

About the role

We are looking for a Senior Protection Engineer to lead the protection sub‑function within the Distribution Department of Guernsey Electricity. The role involves overseeing the design, operation and maintenance of the island’s electricity transmission and distribution network, ensuring reliable service and effective risk management.

Key responsibilities

• Manage and deliver the distribution network protection programme, including inspections, defect handling, monitoring, replacements and enhancements.
• Control and execute high‑ and medium‑voltage switching, and issue/cancel safety documentation.
• Monitor maintenance activities, evaluate new processes and technologies, and produce reporting and forecasting for BLT.
• Approve and manage planned and unplanned switching programmes.
• Perform fault finding, investigations, repairs and modifications to conveyance and supply systems.
• Contribute to business planning and collaborate with Distribution, Generation and Asset teams.
• Ensure compliance with health & safety, equal opportunities and data protection legislation.
• Promote risk‑assessment culture and implement effective controls.
• Advise on electrical design schemes for substation replacement and network upgrades.
• Participate in a compulsory standby rota and supervise on‑site health & safety matters.
• Communicate with customers, developers, contractors, authorities and legal professionals on projects, outages and road works.
• Act as an embedded asset manager supporting the Asset Management Lead.
• Mentor and lead a team, develop training plans and conduct regular progress reviews.
• Maintain accurate documentation, relay setting files and commissioning records.

Required profile

• Senior‑level engineer with extensive experience in electricity distribution protection.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate a technical team.
• Strong communication skills for interaction with internal and external stakeholders.
• High level of health & safety responsibility and knowledge of relevant legislation.
• Experience in asset management and business planning within the power sector.

Required skills

• High voltage switching
• Medium voltage switching
• Fault finding and investigation
• Electrical design for substations and network upgrades
• Distribution protection systems
• Relay setting and commissioning