Principal Engineer (m/f/d) - Control & Protection System Application

Job Description Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Engineer (m/f/d) specializing in Voltage Source Converter (VSC) control and protection. The ideal candidate will lead the design, development, and implementation of advanced VSC control strategies and protection schemes for HVDC-VSC, LCC and renewable energy systems.
The role requires a deep understanding of power electronics, control theory, and power system protection.
As a Principal Engineer, you will be working across multi-discipline in all aspects of HVDC Control & Protection system and support the development of department talent.

Job Description

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Technical Leadership & Oversight

• Oversee the overall technical solution, ensuring customer requirements are met based on reference solutions.
• Lead requirements gathering, system design, implementation, and development of HVDC Control & Protection systems.
• Be the owner of all aspects of Control & Protection system deployment, system Configuration, and validation, as well as all usual integration challenges of the control & protection system
• Participate Patent Evaluation Board (PEB) to protect technology that gives the business a competitive advantage, as well as protecting the intellectual property rights of the company.
• Represent the business externally at conferences or in professional working bodies (IEC, CIGRE etc) and maintain active relationship with relevant academic institutions to promote research projects and other academic cooperations.
• Stay updated with emerging technologies, standards, and best practices in VSC systems and power system protection

• Define control philosophies, protection and interlocking logics, and data exchange configurations.
• Lead and participate in engineering design processes, including design reviews and approval cycles.
• Ensure that all design outputs comply with industry standards, system requirements, and quality procedures.

• Conduct Electromagnetic Transient (EMT) studies using PSCAD, EMTP-RV, and model control/protection functions in MATLAB/Simulink.
• Perform network conversion, modelling, tuning, and verification using PSSE, PSCAD, and RSCAD.
• Develop full plant/system models and lead end-to-end validation across multiple simulation platforms.
• Lead Control System Studies & Testing, including: Software-in-the-Loop,(SIL)Dynamic performance studies, Protection coordination, Overall system integration.

• Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and knowledge transfer to junior engineers.
• Support managers in building high-performing, resilient teams.
• Recruit, develop, and mentor engineering talent to enhance organizational capability.
• Actively support Consulting Engineers with staff development & succession planning. Participate interviews for promotions or hirings within Engineering/Technology up to the level of Senior Engineer.

• Master's or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, or a related field or equivalent knowledge
• Signifikant experience in power electronics, HVDC- LCC or VSC-based system design.
• Strong expertise in VSC control theory, modulation strategies, and power system protection.
• Experience with PSCAD, MATLAB/Simulink, Dig SILENT, or similar simulation tools.
• Knowledge of IEC 61850, IEEE standards, and grid codes for VSC and HVDC applications.
• Proven track record in leading complex engineering projects and teams.

• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities.
• Effective communication and technical documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and make strategic engineering decisions.

• Experience with offshore wind HVDC projects.
• Familiarity with real-time digital simulation (RTDS/HIL testing).
• Knowledge of cybersecurity considerations in power electronic systems.

• A key role in a dynamic, international working environment with a large degree of flexibility in work agreements.
• Competitive benefits and great development opportunities, including private health insurance.