Secondary Design Engineer

HMF Consultants, a global engineering consultancy specializing in power systems and renewable energy, is hiring a Secondary Design Engineer for its hybrid UK-based team. The role focuses on developing protection and control designs for HV/EHV substations up to 400kV, including schematics, interlocking diagrams, SCADA layouts, and panel wiring. Candidates with 5-10 years of secondary design experience and strong knowledge of IEC standards, IEC 61850, relay logic, and renewable integration (Solar/BESS) are preferred. The position offers collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and exposure to modern digital substation technologies.

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Secondary Design Engineer Opportunity at HMF Consultants

Company Name: HMF Consultants
Position Title: Secondary Design Engineer
Location: Hybrid, United Kingdom
Industry: Power Systems / Renewable Energy / Engineering Consultancy
Employment Type: Full-Time
Apply Link: Send your CV to info@hmfconsultants.co.uk
Official Website: https://hmfconsultants.co.uk

Job Offering Company Introduction

HMF Consultants is a global engineering consultancy known for its deep technical expertise, commitment to innovation, and strong focus on helping industries transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy systems. With a clear vision to support the world’s journey toward Net Zero, the company provides high-quality engineering services across power systems, transmission and distribution networks, utility-scale renewable energy facilities, and emerging energy storage technologies. Over the years, HMF Consultants has built a reputation for delivering designs that are safe, reliable, and aligned with international standards for high-voltage infrastructure.

The company works closely with utilities, global EPC contractors, renewable developers, and substation equipment manufacturers to deliver detailed engineering solutions that meet modern power sector demands. Their projects range from traditional grid infrastructure upgrades to advanced technologies such as Solar Farms, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and complex EHV substations up to 400kV. With the rapid worldwide adoption of renewable energy, power systems are constantly evolving, and HMF Consultants plays a crucial role in designing systems that ensure strong grid stability, modern protection schemes, and seamless integration of new energy resources.

Collaboration lies at the heart of HMF Consultants. The company values teamwork across engineering disciplines such as primary engineering, secondary engineering, civil works, SCADA design, and protection coordination. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that every substation or renewable project is developed with precision, compliance, and long-term operational reliability. Engineers working at HMF Consultants have the opportunity to engage with international teams, manufacturers, and project stakeholders to deliver solutions that reflect both technical excellence and practical field requirements.

As the demand for skilled electrical engineers increases globally, HMF Consultants continues to expand its footprint and strengthen its engineering talent. Their hybrid working model in the UK offers flexibility while preserving collaborative learning, engineering discussions, and real-time design reviews. The company also emphasizes continuous professional development through training, mentorship from experienced engineers, and exposure to global projects, which allows engineering professionals to grow and refine their technical abilities.

Whether designing protection and control systems for EHV substations, working on utility-scale solar farms, or contributing to grid integration studies for BESS installations, engineers at HMF Consultants are part of a mission that directly supports the transformation of the global energy sector. Their work powers cities, supports industries, and contributes to the worldwide shift toward renewable, reliable, and sustainable electricity.

Job Description

The Secondary Design Engineer will be part of the engineering team responsible for developing conceptual and detailed secondary designs for HV and EHV substations up to 400kV. This role focuses on protection and control systems, interlocking schemes, wiring design, panel layout, and overall secondary integration necessary for the safe and reliable operation of substations and renewable energy assets.

Engineers in this role will be responsible for preparing detailed engineering documents, including protection schematics, SCADA layouts, interlocking diagrams, cable schedules, control room drawings, and interface diagrams. As substations continue to adopt digital protection systems and IEC 61850-based architectures, the Secondary Design Engineer will contribute to modernizing and upgrading secondary systems to meet the latest grid and operational requirements.

The position includes close collaboration with panel manufacturers, equipment vendors, EPC contractors, and multidisciplinary engineering teams within the organization. Coordination with primary design engineers ensures that secondary systems align with the physical layout, equipment ratings, protection requirements, and operational configurations of the substation. This role also requires ensuring that all designs comply with local and international standards, utility specifications, and safety protocols.

Secondary Design Engineers will contribute to Solar Farm and BESS projects, which involve integrating renewable energy sources into the grid. For these systems, engineers will work on communication protocols, metering circuits, grid compliance requirements, protection coordination, and control systems needed for smooth operation and system stability. This includes developing secondary architecture diagrams that describe how renewable assets communicate with substations, grid operators, and remote monitoring centers.

Engineers will participate in design review meetings, technical discussions, and engineering workshops. They will also support quality assurance by reviewing drawings, checking design compliance, validating calculations, and ensuring that all documentation is complete and accurate before final submission. As part of the project lifecycle, engineers may work with installation and commissioning teams to provide technical clarifications and resolve secondary design-related queries.

This role is suited for individuals who have hands-on experience with protection relays, control systems, secondary wiring, panel integration, and substation automation. A strong understanding of protection philosophies, panel wiring practices, SCADA interfaces, and communication protocols is crucial. Engineers will also contribute to developing design templates, improving internal processes, and maintaining consistency across multiple projects delivered by HMF Consultants.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have five to ten years of practical experience in secondary design for HV and EHV substations up to 400kV. This experience should include working on protection and control systems, wiring diagrams, schematics, relay configurations, and panel designs.

A strong understanding of substation standards, grid codes, and international engineering practices is required. Experience working on renewable energy projects, such as Solar Farms and Battery Energy Storage Systems, is highly valuable, especially for projects that involve grid integration and protection scheme customization.

Candidates should have solid technical expertise in:

Protection and control systems
Relay logic and wiring drawings
SCADA systems and communication interfaces
Cable routing and cable schedules
Control room layouts and secondary architecture
Interlocking schemes
IEC standards, including IEC 61850

Strong communication and coordination skills are essential due to the collaborative nature of the work. Candidates must be able to interact effectively with internal teams, external clients, vendors, and manufacturers. The ability to work in a hybrid environment is necessary, as the role requires both remote collaboration and periodic on-site meetings or design workshops within the UK.

Engineers must demonstrate attention to detail, disciplined documentation practices, and the ability to manage multiple tasks under project timelines. A passion for learning emerging technologies in renewable energy, substation automation, and digital substations is also encouraged.