Principal Power System Engineer

Location/s: Glasgow or Altrincham; UK

Recruiter contact: Maria Cervantes

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices.

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual.

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About the business unit

The Energy Unit's Transmission & Distribution division is seeking a Principal Power system engineer specialising in PSCAD to play a leading role in the delivery of complex power system studies for renewable generation, HVDC, FACTS, battery storage, transmission, and grid integration projects across the globe.

This is a specialist technical role focused on advanced electromagnetic transient (EMT) modelling and simulation using PSCAD. The successful candidate will act as a subject matter expert, supporting project delivery, technical assurance, client engagement, and the development of junior engineers within a growing power systems team.You will have the opportunity to work on some of the world's most challenging energy transition projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across our UK and international offices.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and undertake advanced PSCAD-based electromagnetic transient studies for transmission and distribution networks.
• Develop, validate and maintain PSCAD models for:
  • Renewable energy plants (wind, solar and hybrid systems)
  • Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
  • HVDC and FACTS technologies
  • Grid-connected power electronic converters
  • Transmission and distribution networks
• Perform studies including:
  • Electromagnetic transient (EMT) analysis
  • Converter interaction studies
  • Fault ride-through assessments
  • Insulation coordination
  • Switching transient studies
  • Harmonic and resonance assessments
  • Grid code compliance studies
• Interface with OEMs, network operators, project developers and contractors to obtain and validate technical data.
• Analyse and interpret simulation results and provide practical engineering recommendations.
• Prepare high-quality technical reports and present findings to clients and stakeholders.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring and quality assurance for PSCAD-related project work.
• Support business development activities and contribute to proposals for specialist power system studies.
• Maintain awareness of industry developments, grid code requirements and emerging technologies relating to power electronic-based power systems.

Candidate Specification

Essential

• Degree in Electrical Engineering (BEng/BSc minimum); MSc, MEng or PhD specialising in Power Systems highly desirable.
• Extensive experience in PSCAD modelling and electromagnetic transient studies .
• Strong understanding of:
  • Power electronic converter technologies
  • Renewable energy integration
  • HVDC and FACTS systems
  • Grid compliance requirements
  • EMT and dynamic system behaviour
• Demonstrable experience developing and validating detailed PSCAD models.
• Experience interpreting EMT simulation results and translating them into practical engineering solutions.
• Strong technical report writing and presentation skills.
• Ability to lead technical workstreams and mentor junior engineers.
• Commercial awareness and ability to support business growth through specialist power system consultancy services.
• Highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and within multidisciplinary project teams.

Desirable

• Working knowledge of ETAP, DIgSILENT PowerFactory, PSSE and other power system analysis tools.
• Experience supporting Grid Connection Applications and Grid Code Compliance Studies.
• Experience with transmission utilities, renewable developers, OEMs or EPC contractors.
• Chartered Engineer status, or progress towards professional accreditation.

We are actively recruiting a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve. We recognise that differences in ability, skills and experience are a strength and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

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UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion 

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at View email address on uk.workus.org and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

We offer some fantastic benefits including

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• Make a difference within our communities through our " href=" " target="_blank" rel="noopener"> social outcomes.

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click " target="_blank" rel="noopener"> here.