Mission freelance Protection and Control Engineer

Contract | Outside IR35 | Hybrid (Glasgow)

Due to the nature of the role, unfortunately applicants requiring visa sponsoship will not be considered

We are seeking an experienced Senior Protection & Control (P&C) Engineer to support major UK Transmission & Distribution (T&D) projects. This contract role is suited to an engineer with extensive experience in protection systems design, coordination, and implementation within the UK transmission environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong background working with National Grid, Scottish Power, SSEN, or other UK network operators.

This position is offered outside IR35 with a hybrid working model from Glasgow.

• Lead the design, development, and review of protection and control schemes for transmission and distribution networks.
• Produce and review detailed documentation including protection settings, CT/VT specifications, relay configuration files, SLDs, logic diagrams, and control philosophies.
• Undertake fault level, protection coordination, and grading studies.
• Provide technical assurance across project lifecycle stages including FEED, detailed design, commissioning support, and operational integration.
• Ensure all deliverables meet relevant UK standards, utility specifications, and IEC/EN regulations.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional engineering teams, project managers, and client representatives to ensure safe, timely, and high‑quality project delivery.
• Support FAT/SAT activities and provide engineering expertise during installation and commissioning phases when required.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to knowledge‑sharing across the team.

• Proven experience as a Protection & Control Engineer on UK transmission and distribution projects (400kV, 275kV, 132kV).
• Strong working knowledge of protection systems including distance, differential, overcurrent/earth fault, and busbar protection schemes.
• Hands-on experience with major relay manufacturers (e.g., Siemens, ABB, GE, Schneider).
• Proficiency in producing and validating protection settings and coordination studies.
• Solid understanding of National Grid / DNO standards, BS/EN/IEC regulations, and UK utility requirements.
• Demonstrable ability to review and sign off designs as a senior engineer.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Please click to find out more about our Key Information Documents. Please note that the documents provided contain generic information. If we are successful in finding you an assignment, you will receive a Key Information Document which will be specific to the vendor set-up you have chosen and your placement.

To find out more about Progressive please visit

Progressive Recruitment, a trading division of SThree Partnership LLP is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy | Registered office | 8 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4BQ, United Kingdom | Partnership Number | OC387148 England and Wales