Job Description:

Rubicon Consulting is currently recruiting for Commissioning Engineer Part time (Max 25hours per week) on a 6 Month Rolling contract, based in Staffordshire.

Role Summary

We are recruiting on behalf of a leading international construction and engineering contractor for an experienced Commissioning Manager to lead commissioning activities on a high-voltage substation project connected to the National Grid transmission network. This is a technically demanding role suited to a commissioning professional with a strong background in HV substation equipment, protection systems, and energisation works.

You will take ownership of the commissioning process for substation assets — including switchgear, transformers, protection & control systems, and associated bay equipment — coordinating closely with client representatives, design teams, and multidisciplinary site teams through to final energisation and handover.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage the commissioning strategy, programme, and Inspection & Test Plans (ITPs) for HV substation works.
• Lead commissioning of substation equipment including switchgear, transformers, circuit breakers, disconnectors, earth switches, CTs, protection relays, and associated control & DC systems.
• Manage commissioning through all stages — pre-commissioning, functional testing, energisation, and performance verification — to successful handover.
• Coordinate and supervise commissioning engineers, subcontractors, and specialist test teams across electrical and protection disciplines.
• Review and update protection scheme drawings, settings files, and PSL/relay logic in response to technical queries.
• Liaise directly with National Grid representatives and other statutory bodies to manage approvals, witness points, and energisation permissions.
• Own commissioning documentation, ITP sign-off, and as-built drawing packages, ensuring full compliance and traceability.
• Chair commissioning meetings and provide clear, accurate progress reporting to senior stakeholders.
• Identify, manage, and resolve technical risks, issues, and non-conformances throughout the commissioning phase.
• Champion a strong safety culture, ensuring RAMS are in place and adhered to across all commissioning activities.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Commissioning Manager (or senior Commissioning Engineer ready to step up) on HV substation projects, ideally at 132kV/275kV/400kV transmission voltage levels.
• Strong technical knowledge of substation primary and secondary systems, including switchgear, transformers, and protection & control schemes.
• Experience managing ITPs, commissioning documentation, and formal energisation/handover processes on transmission-connected projects.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills, comfortable coordinating multidisciplinary teams and third-party organisations.
• Excellent communication skills, with experience liaising directly with network operator representatives.
• Relevant industry qualifications (Engineering degree, HNC/HND, or equivalent); IEng/CEng registration advantageous.
• National Grid (NG) Persons certification required.
• CSCS/SMSTS or equivalent site safety qualification advantageous.
• Full UK driving licence.

Our Company

Rubicon Consulting is a Talent management consultancy which helps you to optimise business performance and competitive advantage by choosing the right people first time!