Job Description

Secondary Design Engineer (Substation)

Location: UAE
Experience Required: 7-12 years

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced Secondary Design Engineer to support pre-bid and execution phases of substation projects. The role involves preparing detailed control, protection, and automation designs, ensuring compliance with international standards, and coordinating across engineering disciplines to deliver optimized, cost-effective, and technically compliant solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

Pre-Bid Design

• Review RFQs, tender specifications, and client documents for control, protection, and automation requirements.

  
  
  

• Prepare preliminary drawings: overall SLDs, protection SLDs, SCADA/communication architecture diagrams.

  
  
  

• Estimate control and protection scope, including:

  
  
  

  • Control relay panel counts

    
    
    

  • Relay types/models and quantities

    
    
    

  • Power, control, and FO cable quantities (as per voltage levels)

    
    
    

  • Terminal and I/O card requirements

    
    
    

• Define typical schematics and wiring philosophies based on standards/past projects.

  
  
  

• Provide technical inputs to proposals, costing, and procurement teams for BOQ and bid pricing.

  
  
  

• Recommend relay and protection scheme selection based on technical specifications, grid codes, and cost efficiency.

  
  
  

• Suggest cost-optimized design solutions while ensuring technical compliance.

  
  
  

• Coordinate with OEMs/vendors for budgetary quotations, compliance checks, and feasibility.

  
  
  

• Support preparation of:

  
  
  

  • Technical offers

    
    
    

  • Bid clarifications

    
    
    

  • Deviation lists

    
    
    

  • Compliance matrices

    
    
    
    

Execution Phase

• Develop detailed secondary engineering drawings, including:

  
  
  

  • Control & protection SLDs, schematics, wiring diagrams

    
    
    

  • Inter-trip and interlocking logic diagrams

    
    
    

  • Relay settings (all types)

    
    
    

  • CT/PT sizing calculations and time-current characteristics

    
    
    

  • Cable schedules and termination details

    
    
    

  • Panel GA drawings, board formation & BOM

    
    
    

  • SCADA & telecommunication architecture/interface diagrams

    
    
    

• Deliver detailed engineering for:

  
  
  

  • Protection systems (line, transformer, busbar, breaker failure, etc.)

    
    
    

  • Metering & control circuits

    
    
    

  • Bay Control Units (BCUs), relays, RTUs, and IEDs

    
    
    

• Select and specify relays, SCADA, and control equipment based on client/project needs.

  
  
  

• Ensure compliance with IEC, IEEE, IS, and CEA/CBIP standards and utility codes.

  
  
  

• Collaborate with civil, mechanical, fire protection, CCTV, communication, and project teams for integrated designs.

  
  
  

• Prepare BOQ and support procurement with technical datasheets.

  
  
  

• Participate in design reviews, client meetings, FAT/SAT of panels, and support commissioning when required.

  
  
  

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical / Power Engineering (or equivalent).

  
  
  

• 7-12 years of experience in secondary engineering design for substation projects.

  
  
  

• Strong understanding of transmission project execution methodologies.

  
  
  

• Knowledge of basic civil engineering (preferred).

  
  
  
  

Technical Skills

Software Proficiency:

• ETAP

  
  
  

• Siemens DIGSI

  
  
  

• Schneider EcoStruxure Power Commission

  
  
  

• ABB PCM600 / GE EnerVista

  
  
  

• Siemens SICAM PAS / SICAM SCC

  
  
  

• ABB MicroSCADA

  
  
  

• GridWorX

  
  
  

Knowledge of Standards & Codes:

• IEC

  
  
  

• IS

  
  
  

• IEEE

  
  
  

• CEA / CBIP

  
  
  

Key Attributes

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

  
  
  

• Ability to interface with multi-disciplinary teams.

  
  
  

• Detail-oriented with a focus on compliance and cost optimization.

  
  
  

• Excellent communication and client-facing skills.