Shape a future with purpose at Arup in Spain

Supporting National Grid transmission substation projects in the United Kingdom

Arup’s purpose, shared values, and collaborative approach have set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

We have been present in Spain since 1993 and have a team of more than 300 engineers, consultants, and qualified technical personnel. This role will be based in Spain under a local Spanish employment contract while supporting major UK transmission infrastructure projects.

Arup undertakes transmission and distribution design projects across the globe. In the UK, we deliver projects from concept through detailed design for established asset owners and new market entrants. Arup is supporting the Great Grid Partnership, a major programme for the transformation of the National Grid transmission network.

The Opportunity

This is your chance to develop your career while contributing to the protection, control, communications and SCADA design of HV and EHV transmission substations for National Grid projects in the United Kingdom. You will work predominantly remotely from Spain, be fully integrated into the relevant UK substation project team and receive structured technical guidance from experienced engineers in Spain and the UK. You will have a local line manager and team support in Spain while working under the day-to-day technical and project direction of the relevant UK project team.

Your development will be supported through day-to-day coaching, formal technical reviews and progressively more complex assignments. You will primarily work under experienced G6, G7 and G8 engineers within the Spain T&D; structure and the relevant UK discipline teams, creating a clear pathway to deepen your expertise, work towards professional registration and progress within Arup.

As a HV Substations Protection & Control, Communications and SCADA Engineer at Arup, you will:

- Contribute to the design and review of protection and control systems for HV and EHV transmission substations, from concept and scheme development through detailed design, construction support, testing and commissioning, under the guidance of experienced engineers.
- Prepare and develop protection philosophies, functional specifications, single-line diagrams, protection block diagrams, AC and DC schematics, tripping and intertripping schemes, control logic, interlocking diagrams, wiring diagrams, I/O schedules, cable schedules and interface documentation, with appropriate technical review and support.
- Support the development and review of schemes for transmission lines, transformers, busbars, reactors, feeders and auxiliary systems, including main and backup protection, breaker-failure protection, autoreclose, synchrocheck, teleprotection and lockout functions as applicable.
- Support protection coordination and settings activities, including fault studies and preparation of technical inputs using recognised power-system analysis tools where required.
- Contribute to the design and review of substation control, automation and communication architectures, including bay-level and station-level systems.
- Apply IEC 61850 engineering principles, including data modelling, GOOSE messaging, MMS, Sampled Values where applicable, SCL files and multi-vendor system integration.
- Support the development and review of resilient station-bus and process-bus architectures, time synchronisation, network redundancy and segregation in accordance with applicable National Grid requirements, British Standards, BS EN/IEC standards and project procedures.
- Coordinate protection and control interfaces with TSO, SCADA, telecommunications, metering, auxiliary systems, cybersecurity requirements and other substation disciplines.
- Take responsibility for allocated P&C; design tasks and defined work-package activities,



delivering them to the agreed quality and programme under the supervision of G6, G7 and G8 engineers.
- Participate in checking and technical review processes, respond to review comments and progressively develop the capability to identify design risks and resolve technical interfaces with multidisciplinary teams.
- Support technical queries during procurement, manufacture, installation, testing, commissioning and energisation.
- Prepare and review FAT, SAT, site testing and commissioning documentation for protection, control, SCADA and communication systems.
- Support relay configuration, secondary-injection testing, scheme testing, end-to-end testing, IEC 61850 system testing and energisation activities as required by the project.
- Participate in meetings with Arup project teams, National Grid, contractors, manufacturers and other stakeholders, developing confidence in presenting technical information and contributing effectively to project discussions.
- Share knowledge with colleagues, actively seek feedback and take ownership of personal learning and professional development.
- Travel to the UK when required for Arup team meetings, client meetings, design workshops, FAT/SAT activities, site support and commissioning. Willingness and availability to travel to the UK for up to 30% of working time and to undertake stays of up to two consecutive weeks, subject to project requirements.

Does this role inspire you?

Role We are looking for a proactive, motivated and collaborative engineer who is keen to build a long-term career in transmission substation protection, control, communications and SCADA. You will be supported by experienced engineers, principally within the Spain T&D; structure and within the relevant UK project discipline teams. The role offers structured learning through real project delivery, technical reviews, mentoring and exposure to complex National Grid projects. Ideally, you’ll bring:

- A degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Control Engineering or a closely related discipline.
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in protection and control engineering for HV/EHV substations.
- Chartered Engineer status is not required. Motivation to work towards recognised professional registration, with support from colleagues, would be welcomed.
- Relevant experience in transmission substations, together with a clear motivation to deepen your expertise in HV/EHV protection and control engineering.
- Experience contributing to P&C; engineering deliverables and working with multidisciplinary design teams, with the willingness to take on increasing technical responsibility as your capability develops.
- Working knowledge of protection relays, substation control systems, SCADA, telecommunications interfaces, substation automation and conventional or IEC 61850-based schemes, with a strong appetite to learn and broaden your technical capability.
- Awareness of applicable British Standards, BS EN/IEC standards or transmission utility requirements would be beneficial.

Previous National

Grid experience is preferred but is not essential; training and project-based learning will support adaptation to UK requirements.

- Some experience with OEM relay configuration and engineering tools, secondary-injection equipment or scheme testing would be beneficial.
- Fluent professional English, written and spoken, with the ability to produce clear technical documentation and participate effectively in project and client meetings.




- Availability to travel up to 30% of working time, including stays in the UK of up to two weeks when required for project delivery, Arup team meetings and client meetings.

Bonus Points If You Have

- Previous experience on National Grid, another UK transmission owner or a European transmission system operator project.
- Experience with AIS and GIS transmission substations at 132 kV, 275 kV and 400 kV.
- Experience with digital substation architectures, process bus, merging units and Sampled Values.
- Experience using DIgSILENT PowerFactory, ETAP or equivalent tools for fault analysis and protection coordination.
- Experience leading technical reviews, coordinating P&C; work packages and mentoring engineers within distributed international project teams.

Conditions This is a Spain-based position under a local Spanish employment contract. The successful candidate will initially be fully dedicated to the GGP programme.

If this level of support is no longer required in the future, the individual may transition to local Spanish or other Arup projects, subject to business and project needs. Most activities are expected to be delivered remotely from Spain, but travel frequency will depend on project needs and may not follow a fixed schedule. The candidate will have a local line manager and team support in Spain while being fully integrated into the relevant UK project team.

How to apply for this vacancy?

To apply for this vacancy, register your updated CV and a cover letter in English.

Why Arup?

At Arup, we offer a rewarding career with a integral company committed to a better future. Our unique trust ownership structure allows us to prioritise meaningful work and invest in our people. We also offer a unique profit share programme, allowing our members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

Benefits That Work For You

- Professional Growth & Development: Benefit from continuous learning opportunities, training programmes, and mentorship to enhance your skills and advance your career at Arup.
- Global Opportunities: Collaborate with colleagues worldwide and explore potential short-term or long-term assignments at other Arup offices and project locations.
- Financial Well-being & Ownership: Receive a competitive salary and benefits package and share in Arup's success through our global profit-sharing programme.
- Work-Life Balance: We offer a hybrid working model and flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.
- Well-being and Culture: Access to a range of well-being programmes, including sports subsidies, social activities, and initiatives promoting a healthy work-life balance. We foster a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone feels welcome, respected, and valued.

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective where individuality is encouraged. Our strength comes from how we respect, share, and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas. You'll have the opportunity to do socially useful work that has meaning, to Arup, to your career, and to the clients and communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and are committed to building a workplace that reflects the rich diversity of the world around us. We actively promote a culture of inclusion where everyone feels welcome, respected, and valued.

We welcome applications from talented individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, disability, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible. If you need any assistance or adjustments, please visit our Candidate Support page for contact information and assistance. We're happy to help.

Do you want to join us in shaping a better world?

📌 HV Substations Protection & Control, Communications and SCADA Specialist (Madrid)
🏢 Arup
📍 Madrid