Commissioning Engineer - 275kV Substation

Rubicon Consulting is currently recruiting for Commissioning Engineer on a 4 Month Contract, based in Scotland.

Role Summary

We are seeking an experienced Commissioning Engineer to support the delivery and energisation of a 275kV substation project. The successful candidate will be responsible for the testing, commissioning, and handover of high-voltage plant and protection systems, ensuring compliance with National Grid/SSE/UKPN and project-specific technical standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute commissioning activities on 275kV AIS/GIS substations in accordance with approved commissioning procedures and safety rules.
• Carry out testing and commissioning of HV switchgear and circuit breakers (SF6, vacuum, GIS/AIS) including timing tests, contact resistance, functional checks, and interlocking verification.
• Perform commissioning of power transformers (275kV/132kV or 275kV/33kV) including pre-energisation checks, ratio testing, vector group verification, winding resistance, and protection scheme validation.
• Conduct primary and secondary injection testing, CT/VT testing (mag curves, polarity, burden), and full protection scheme functional testing.
• Commission and configure Protection & Control systems including distance, differential, overcurrent, earth fault, REF, busbar protection, and intertripping schemes.
• Test and validate control panels, marshalling kiosks, SCADA interfaces, alarms, and remote signalling systems.
• Support energisation activities, fault-finding, and resolution of commissioning defects.
• Review drawings, protection settings, schematics, and commissioning documentation.
• Produce detailed commissioning reports, red-line drawings, and handover documentation.
• Ensure strict compliance with CDM regulations, safety rules, and HV authorisation procedures.

Requirements

• Proven experience commissioning 275kV transmission substations.
• SSE CAT 3 Authorisation (Essential)
• Strong working knowledge of AIS and/or GIS switchgear systems.
• Hands-on experience commissioning power transformers at transmission voltage levels.
• Extensive experience in Protection & Control commissioning, including relay testing
• Competent in primary and secondary injection testing using Omicron or similar test equipment.
• Ability to interpret SLDs, schematic diagrams, wiring diagrams, and protection logic drawings.
• HV Authorisation (e.g., National Grid, SSE, or DNO equivalent) preferred.
• Strong fault-finding and problem-solving skills in live substation environments.

Our Company

Rubicon Consulting is a Talent management consultancy which helps you to optimise business performance and competitive advantage by choosing the right people first time!