Controls Automation System Engineer

GE’s worldwide HVDC Centre of Excellence in Stafford, provides complete turn-key solutions for the rapidly-growing global HVDC market.  Project Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Test Laboratories and R&D are all located in Stafford.

The role will work within defined parameters to make decisions, apply concepts to issues of moderate complexity, and resolve issues through immediate action or short-term planning. You will be part of a team that defines the hardware, system configuration and network technical requirements of an HVDC control system as part of a project delivery team. 

Main duties and responsibilities will include:

• Configuration of IEC61850 IED’s via vendor specific tools and System Configuration Tools for complete system integration.
• Generation of Substation Configuration description Language (SCL) files for system integration.
• Knowledge of interlocking principles used in substation automation systems and their implementation on IEC61850 IED’s.
• Design, configuration and testing required to deliver on time and within defined budgets the HVDC Control System hardware.
• Good experience with HMI/SCADA technologies, implementation, testing and installation.
• Testing and debugging of complex IEC61850 communication systems using industry standard tools such as IEDSCout, Wireshark etc.
• Coordinate and interface the HVDC Control System with Balance of Plant equipment and SCADA systems:
  • Define the main IO Lists of the control system
  • Analyze signal interfaces and ensure compatibility with the control system
• Work in collaboration with NPI teams, the configuration of Remote Terminal Units (RTU), Bay Controllers (BCU) and Merging Units for signal acquisition in digital substation environments.
• Design of LAN networks/Communication Architectures and configuration of industrial ethernet switches/routers and satellite clocks
• Define Control Panel requirements and produce detailed design documentation for the control system using standard design blocks under the guidance of lead engineers. This may include
  • Panel Electrical Schematics (using Engineering Base tool)
  • Wire/Cable Schedules
  • Routine Test specification
  • General Assembly drawings
  • Bill of Materials
• Oversee the testing and FAT witnessing of the Control System.
• Prepare and present technical information for Substation Control Systems to internal and external customers.
• Assist site activities relevant to the installation and commissioning of the control system.
• Share engineering information and promote open dialogue.
• Assure proper documentation of technical data generated for the assigned projects and/or tasks consistent with engineering policies and procedures.
• Follow the departments standard design practices, engineering reviews and guidelines.
• Broadening knowledge of own technical discipline

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Electronics/Electrical engineering or related field.
• Strong background in configuring Substation Bay Controllers/Merging Units/ IEC61850 IED’s/HMI/SCADA Technologies
• Experience in Control Panel design (preferably as used in substation/power plant environments)
• Strong background in Distributed Control Systems / Substation Automation
• Experience in working with engineering tools such as AutoCAD, e-base, Microsoft Visio
• Knowledge of industrial communication networks such as Profibus and Ethernet based protocols.
• Understanding of fibre optic cabling systems
• Understanding of LV cable sizing and distribution
• Control & Protection Relay logics Design techniques
• Experienced in developing electrical designs for industrial control systems.
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