DCS Norway AS (Part of CTS Group)

Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal

Protection Engineer

Job ID JOB-005-0000251

Department: Operations (Pre-Construction Team) Reports To: Head of High Voltage Design & Budgeting

1. PURPOSE OF THE ROLE The Protection Engineer is responsible for the design, engineering, and configuration of protection systems for medium-voltage and high-voltage substations serving data center and industrial clients in the Scandinavian market.

The role focuses on protection scheme design, relay configuration and settings calculation, protection coordination studies, and support for testing and commissioning of protection systems. The position works closely with the Power Systems Studies Engineer for study inputs and with the Secondary Design Engineer for integration into panel designs and schematics.

The Protection Engineer is a specialist role requiring deep knowledge of numerical protection relays from major vendors (ABB, Siemens, Schneider Electric) and the ability to translate system study results into practical relay settings and protection philosophies.

Note: DCS Norway operates a competence-based resource model. While this job description defines the primary function of the role, individuals are expected to contribute across other engineering and project functions based on their competencies and the needs of the business. This approach supports team flexibility, professional development, and efficient resource utilisation across projects.

2. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Protection Scheme Design

• Design protection schemes for HV and MV substations, including main and backup protection.
• Develop protection philosophies and functional specifications.
• Ensure protection designs meet grid code, TSO/DSO, and client requirements.
• Coordinate protection scheme design with data center redundancy and concurrent maintainability requirements.
• Prepare protection philosophy documentation.

Relay Configuration & Settings

• Configure and implement protection relay settings for ABB, Siemens, and Schneider Electric relays.
• Calculate protection settings based on power system study results.
• Perform protection coordination at relay level.
• Programme numerical relays using vendor tools (PCM600, Digsi 5, MiCOM S1).
• Prepare relay setting documentation and configuration files.

Protection Studies & Analysis

• Perform or support protection coordination studies using ETAP and/or DIgSILENT PowerFactory.
• Support arc flash analysis and short circuit contribution assessment.
• Specify CT and VT requirements based on protection and metering needs.
• Analyse protection system performance and identify potential issues.

Testing & Commissioning Support

• Support testing and commissioning of protection systems.
• Prepare protection test plans and procedures.
• Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) of protection panels.
• Provide technical support during site commissioning activities.
• Ensure protection systems are validated before energisation.

Engineering Integration & Documentation

• Coordinate with Secondary Design Engineers on protection panel designs and schematics.
• Collaborate with Power Systems Studies Engineers to ensure consistency between studies and settings.
• Support SCADA/SAS Engineers with protection relay communication requirements.
• Prepare and review protection-related engineering documentation.
• Participate in engineering design reviews.

3. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in protection engineering.
• Experience in HV or MV substation protection design.
• Experience with numerical protection relay configuration and settings calculation.
• Experience with protection coordination studies.
• Experience supporting testing and commissioning of protection systems.
• Experience in data centre or industrial projects is a plus.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency with protection relay vendor tools: PCM600 (ABB), Digsi 5 (Siemens), MiCOM S1 (Schneider Electric).
• Working knowledge of ETAP and/or DIgSILENT PowerFactory for protection coordination studies.
• Knowledge of protection relay configuration and settings for HV/MV applications.
• Understanding of CT/VT specification and selection.
• Proficiency with EPLAN and AutoCAD for protection schematics review.
• Familiarity with relay test equipment (Omicron, Doble).
• Knowledge of IEC and IEEE protection standards.
• Familiarity with Nordic TSO standards is considered an advantage.

Interpersonal & Communication Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication in English (Portuguese is considered a plus).
• EU citizenship preferred to facilitate site visits across Scandinavia.
• Based in Lisbon or Porto, Portugal.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong organisational and multitasking capabilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively within engineering teams.

4. STRATEGIC PERFORMANCE METRICS (KPIs)

• Quality and reliability of protection scheme designs and relay settings.
• Compliance with engineering standards, grid code, and project specifications.
• Timely delivery of protection engineering deliverables.
• Accuracy of protection coordination and settings calculations.
• Effective collaboration with engineering teams.

5. HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT (HSE)

• Comply with all applicable health, safety, and environmental legislation, regulations, and company procedures.
• Integrate safety-by-design principles into all engineering and project activities, ensuring that designs and solutions prioritise the safety of personnel, equipment, and the environment.
• Participate in risk assessments and hazard identification activities relevant to the role.
• Report safety concerns, incidents, and near-misses in accordance with company HSE procedures.
• Support the development and maintenance of a positive safety culture within the team and across projects.
• Ensure compliance with the company Integrated Management System (IMS) covering quality, safety, and environmental standards.
• Ensure HSE considerations are embedded in project planning, design reviews, and handover documentation.
• Coordinate HSE requirements with clients, partners, and subcontractors during pre-construction phases.

6. REPLACEMENT POLICY In case of absence of less than one month, the role will be supported by another Protection Engineer or the Power Systems Studies Engineer within the team. For absences exceeding one month, a temporary replacement will be appointed by senior management according to DCS Norway replacement policy guidelines. The replacement person will assume the responsibilities outlined in this job description to ensure continuity of protection engineering activities.

Required Skills

Desired Skills