Protection & Automation Engineer

• Protection & Automation Engineer

  Digital Power Systems | Design & Commissioning

  Protect the electrical system. Connect it. Automate it. Make it work in the real installation.

  At Schneider Electric, we are looking for a Protection & Automation Engineer to join our technical project execution team in Iberia.

  You will work on complex electrical distribution projects combining protection systems, digital automation, industrial communications and commissioning.

  This is a hands-on engineering role for someone who enjoys going beyond relay settings: understanding how the electrical network should behave, translating protection studies into real configurations, building communication architectures and validating the complete system both in the factory and on site.

  You will work closely with customers, project managers, electrical engineers, protection specialists and automation teams throughout the project lifecycle.

  What will you do?

  You will take technical responsibility for the design, configuration, integration and commissioning of digital protection systems.

  Your responsibilities will include:

  • Designing and configuring protection systems for Low and Medium Voltage electrical networks.
  • Selecting the most appropriate IEDs and protection relays according to project requirements and protection philosophies.
  • Translating protection studies into relay settings and functional configurations.
  • Configuring protection functions, logic, interlocks and control sequences.
  • Developing advanced logic within IEDs, including automatic transfer schemes and other automation functions.
  • Configuring and integrating communication protocols such as IEC 61850, Modbus, OPC, DNP3 and IEC 60870-5-103, depending on the project architecture.
  • Working with IEC 61850 engineering, including GOOSE messaging and IED communication configuration.
  • Creating and managing IED communication files and integrating protection systems with SCADA and Energy Management & Control Systems.
  • Defining Ethernet and IP communication architectures between connected devices.
  • Performing signal, loop and interface testing between switchgear, protection devices and supervision systems.
  • Participating in Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), energisation and commissioning activities.
  • Diagnosing and resolving technical issues during project execution and commissioning.
  • Preparing technical documentation, configuration records and project reports.
  • Supporting technical discussions with customers and suppliers.
  • Contributing to technical estimates and engineering effort during tender and quotation phases.
  • Sharing technical knowledge, lessons learned and best practices within the engineering community.
  The kind of challenges you will work on

  In this role, protection is not an isolated function.

  You will work at the intersection between:

  Electrical distribution
  Protection engineering
  Automation
  Industrial communications
  Digital integration
  Commissioning

  You might be defining protection settings one day, configuring IEC 61850 communications the next and then validating the complete architecture during a FAT or commissioning activity on site.

  That variety is an important part of the role.

  Who are we looking for?

  We are looking for an engineer with solid experience in electrical protection systems who is comfortable working across both the electrical and digital sides of a project.

  You may currently be working in:

  • Protection engineering.
  • Electrical distribution engineering.
  • Substation or switchgear automation.
  • Digital power systems.
  • Electrical commissioning.
  • Industrial automation applied to electrical networks.
  • Utilities, EPCs, system integrators or electrical equipment manufacturers.

  Ideally, you will have around three years or more of relevant experience, although the depth and relevance of your technical background will be more important than an exact number of years.

  Technical background

  You should bring strong knowledge or practical experience in several of the following areas:

  • Electrical protection systems.
  • Protection relays and IEDs.
  • Low and Medium Voltage electrical distribution.
  • Protection settings and coordination principles.
  • ANSI/IEEE protection functions.
  • IEC and IEEE standards related to electrical protection.
  • IEC 61850.
  • GOOSE communication.
  • Modbus and other industrial communication protocols.
  • SCADA and monitoring/control systems.
  • Ethernet/IP-based industrial networks.
  • FAT, SAT and commissioning.

  Experience with protection platforms such as Easergy, MiCOM, Sepam, VAMP or equivalent technologies from other manufacturers will be valuable.

  Experience with IED configuration tools and protection engineering software will also be important.

  Additional knowledge we value

  Any of the following will be considered an advantage:

  • Industrial cybersecurity.
  • Secure communication network architectures.
  • PLC programming or Sequence of Operation design.
  • Power system and protection studies.
  • Integration of third-party protection devices.
  • Experience working with multi-vendor architectures.
  What will make you successful?

  We are looking for someone who combines strong technical expertise with the ability to solve problems in real project environments.

  You will likely enjoy this role if you:

  • Like understanding why an electrical system behaves the way it does.
  • Are comfortable troubleshooting complex interactions between electrical equipment, protection devices and digital systems.
  • Can move naturally between engineering design and field commissioning.
  • Take ownership of technical problems until they are resolved.
  • Communicate clearly with customers, engineers and project teams.
  • Can make sound technical decisions even when not all information is immediately available.
  • Pay attention to quality, traceability and cybersecurity.
  • Enjoy continuously learning new protection, automation and communication technologies.

  Languages

  • English: B2 level or higher.
  • Spanish: required for the Iberian project environment.
  • Portuguese, French or German: valued.

  Mobility

  This role includes travel for project execution, testing and commissioning activities, mainly within Spain and Portugal, with occasional international assignments depending on project requirements.

  A valid driving licence is required.

  Why join us?

  Because modern electrical protection is becoming increasingly digital.

  Protection relays are no longer isolated devices: they are part of connected architectures combining electrical protection, automation, communications, cybersecurity and energy management.

  In this role, you will have the opportunity to work across all these areas and follow the solution from engineering through commissioning.

  You will join a multidisciplinary technical community and work on complex electrical distribution projects while continuing to develop your expertise in digital protection and power automation systems.

  If you want a role where electrical engineering meets digital technology - and where you can see the systems you design operating in the real world - we would like to meet you.

• Hands-on experience managing technical scope across the full project lifecycle
• Mentorship from experienced engineers in a collaborative, supportive environment
• Exposure to diverse industries and innovative power system technologies
• Clear pathways for career growth in technical execution and engineering leadership

Ready to launch your career in electrical systems engineering? We'd love to hear from you!