Control Systems Commissioning Engineer

All applications will be reviewed after the closing date.

We also provide the following additional benefits

• Annual leave
• Personal Pension Plan – Personal contribution rates of 4% or 5% (UK Power Networks will make a corresponding contribution of 8% or 10%)
• Tenancy Loan Deposit scheme
• Tax efficient benefits: cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Occupational Health support
• Switched On – scheme providing discount on hundreds of retailers products.
• Supplier discounts, such as O2, EE, Vauxhall cars, Universal tyres
• Discounted access to sports and social clubs
• Employee Assistance Programme.

UK Power Networks

UK Power Networks is the country’s biggest electricity distributor, making sure the lights stay on for more than eight million homes and businesses across London, the South East and the East of England.

UK Power Networks continues to be listed in the Sunday Times’ Top 25 Best Big Companies to Work For, as well as the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers, and made industry history by becoming first company to win Utility of the Year two years running (2015 and 2016, also 2012). The company is accredited in the Investors in People Platinum and Nation Equality Standard.

The company invests more than £600 million in its electricity networks every year, offers extra help to vulnerable customers at times of need, and is undertaking trials to ensure that electricity networks support the transition to a low carbon future. It also moves cables and connects new electricity supplies.

Job Purpose:

The role of Control Systems Commissioning Engineer is to ensure the safe, effective, and efficient operation of the SCADA system including RTU commissioning and RTU fault management. The quality and availability of SCADA has a positive impact on safety and performance which aligns with UK Power Networks vision and values.

The post holder will be part of a team that leverage UK Power Networks SCADA across all three Control Systems to drive down customer interruptions, support Quality of Supply initiatives and assist with Innovation projects.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Maintain RTU availability to minimise fault restoration times through automation and tele switching
• Ensure RTU commissioning is completed accurately and to the correct engineering and safety standards.
• Responsible for SCADA fault management through issuing, reporting and resolving RTU TLR and PRTU TLR pins.
• Monitor and maintain SCADA faults that impact APRS and PORT’s ability to restore customers in the event of a fault.
• Accurately and safely load and modify SCADA for new and existing sites.
• Providing accurate figures on outstanding RTU TLR’s and un-commissioned sites including prioritisation to aid operational teams work lists.
• Provide commissioning and automation services to the Control Systems and Automation team to support new Control System functionality, Quality of Supply and Innovation initiatives.
• Liaison with Control and Diagram Administration teams to ensure accurate representation of the control network diagram.
• Liaison with operational field staff and asset management staff to ensure the accuracy of data sources with a view to continual improvement.

Nature and scope:

The Control Systems Commissioning Engineer reports to the Control Systems SCADA Manager within the Control Systems and Automation team.  The Control Systems and Automation team are dedicated to making UK Power Networks Control Systems world class.

The team goal is to continuously improve safety, application performance, innovation, data accuracy and usability with a view to drive down CI’s and CML’s whilst maximising return on investment.  Key to this is providing a Control System solution and service that is accessible and beneficial to the entire business.

The post holder will participate in the effective, dynamic and efficient day to day operation of the Commissioning & Automation team. The remit comprises of 35,000 secondary RTU’s and 2,500 Primary RTU’s, the number of which are continually growing. Continuous improvement and standardisation of the Commissioning & Automation processes and procedures will also be a part of the role. The post holder will minimise the impact of SCADA faults on automation by prioritising work and communicating with Control and Operational teams. UK Power Networks currently has 9,500 automation programs deployed on the network.

It is our ambition to be regarded as an industry leader in the area of Control Systems and Automation.  Above all, the role holder must have the ability to operate with the vision and motivation to deliver against this objective.

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications and Experience:

The successful candidate will have a good understanding of the distribution network and will be able to demonstrate a high level of initiative and commitment towards safety and meeting business targets.  The role requires a keen eye for detail, good communication skills and the ability to liaise with other departments to resolve problems and improve processes.

• Relevant industry experience.
• Ideally minimum of ONC Electrical & Electronic Engineering (or equivalent), HNC or equivalent desirable.
• Good knowledge of the distribution network from LV to 132kV including SCADA, Protection and working practices.

• Good knowledge of Control System RTU integration including DNP3, WISP+ and other industry protocols.
• Good understanding of the network control function.
• Background in commissioning and testing beneficial.
• Good understanding of Ofgem Guaranteed and Overall Standards and the Regulatory framework.
• Strong customer focus.
• Results orientated approach

Health & Safety Responsibilities

Managers and supervisors carry both legal and company responsibilities for ensuring the health and safety of their employees, those under their control, and those who might be affected by the work undertaken, i.e. public, visitors and employees of other organisations.  This includes briefing individuals working for them and ensuring there is the necessary understanding, competence and application of requirements to work safely and without harming the environment.

Employees are responsible for ensuring they fully understand the health and safety risks involved in their work activities and their responsibility to apply the controls needed to manage those risks to acceptable levels. Similarly where work activities can have an adverse impact upon the environment, and particularly where there are legal requirements, employees are responsible for understanding those impacts and the controls they must ensure are applied.

If in doubt, ask!