Lead Control Systems Engineer

With a focus on operational technology and digital transformation, Capula, part of the Dalkia Group,has been a leader in advanced system integration for decades; optimising efficiency \& delivering performance on a massive scale. But with continuous innovation at the heart of our business, we've always got our sights set on the future. We work in some of the most highly regulated and challenging industrial environments, and have delivered critical projects across energy, water, renewables and manufacturing.

At Capula, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace where diversity is celebrated in all its forms. We actively encourage applications from individuals of minority backgrounds, underrepresented groups, and those with disabilities. Our goal is to create a supportive environment where everyone can thrive and contribute their unique perspectives.

Summary of Role

Capula is seeking an experienced Lead Control Systems Engineer to lead the technical delivery of Substation Control Systems for transmission and distribution projects. The role is responsible for developing safe, secure and maintainable solutions based on IEC 61850, integrated protection and control, and COPA\-DATA Zenon SCADA, from requirements capture and architecture through detailed design, configuration, testing, commissioning support and handover.

Working closely with Project Managers, protection engineers, hardware engineers, customers and delivery partners, you will provide technical direction to multidisciplinary teams and ensure that designs, configurations and test evidence satisfy contractual, regulatory, cybersecurity and quality requirements. You will manage technical interfaces, control engineering change, resolve delivery risks and coach engineers to deliver right\-first\-time solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide Technical Leadership for the end\-to\-end delivery of IEC 61850\-based Substation Control Systems, providing clear technical direction and accountable engineering governance.


• Translate customer and system requirements into robust architectures, functional design specifications, detailed designs, interface definitions, signal lists and test specifications.


• Lead the engineering and configuration of COPA\-DATA Zenon SCADA, including HMI, alarms, events, trends, historian, reporting, user access and interfaces to station and remote systems.


• Lead the configuration, integration and technical assurance of bay control units (BCUs), managed network switches and gateway devices, including communications parameters, protocol mapping, redundancy, time synchronisation, cybersecurity settings and configuration records.


• Define and assure IEC 61850 system engineering, including logical node and data modelling, SCL file management, GOOSE messaging, MMS reporting, time synchronisation and integration of protection IEDs, bay controllers, gateways and RTUs.


• Coordinate interfaces between control, protection, electrical, networks, cybersecurity and site delivery disciplines, ensuring responsibilities and design boundaries are understood and controlled.


• Plan and lead design reviews, technical checking, configuration control, internal testing, Factory Acceptance Testing, site testing, commissioning support and customer acceptance.


• Identify technical risks, assumptions, dependencies and opportunities; support estimates, delivery plans and change control; and provide accurate progress information to the Project Manager


• Provide coaching, technical guidance and constructive review to engineers, promoting standardisation, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

The requirements below distinguish the core capability needed to perform the role from experience that would add further value.

Essential Requirements

• Proven experience leading the technical delivery of complex control\-system or operational\-technology projects through the full engineering lifecycle, from requirements capture and design through testing, commissioning support and handover.


• Ability to produce and assure high\-quality engineering deliverables, including requirements, architectures, functional and detailed design specifications, signal lists, configuration records and test specifications.


• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams, setting priorities, allocating work according to capability and capacity, monitoring performance, reviewing outputs, resolving issues and maintaining delivery against agreed scope, programme and quality expectations.


• Strong understanding of engineering lifecycle controls, technical assurance, configuration management, cybersecurity considerations and formal change control.


• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage customers, suppliers and technical stakeholders at all stages of delivery.


• Willingness to travel and work at customer or substation sites when required, together with a full UK driving licence.

• Degree, HNC/HND or equivalent qualification in electrical engineering, control systems, automation or a related discipline.


• Professional registration, or demonstrable progress towards IEng or CEng status.


• Strong practical knowledge of IEC 61850 architectures and engineering, including SCL files, MMS client/server communications, GOOSE messaging, data modelling, time synchronisation and system diagnostics.


• Advanced configuration and delivery experience with COPA\-DATA Zenon SCADA in operational technology or power\-system applications.


• Experience integrating protection IEDs, bay controllers, gateways, RTUs and SCADA, with a sound understanding of protection and control interfaces, indications, commands, interlocking and disturbance or event data


• Working knowledge of industrial Ethernet, TCP/IP networking and common substation protocols, including IEC 60870\-5\-101/104 and DNP3\.


• Knowledge of resilient substation network architectures and technologies, including VLANs, RSTP, PRP, HSR, SNMP and precision time protocols.


• Awareness of relevant utility standards, IEC 62443 principles, secure remote access and cybersecurity requirements for operational technology environments.


• Experience of brownfield upgrades, staged migrations, outage\-constrained delivery and integration with customer control centres or enterprise systems.


• Experience supporting tenders, technical estimates, solution development and supplier evaluation.

• Visible and accountable technical leader who sets clear standards, makes sound decisions and takes ownership of delivery outcomes.


• Structured and analytical, with the ability to simplify complex problems, identify root causes and implement practical solutions.


• Collaborative and credible when working across engineering disciplines, customers, suppliers and project teams.


• Quality\-focused and commercially aware, balancing technical integrity with programme, cost and customer priorities.


• Calm and decisive under pressure, with the resilience to manage competing priorities and delivery risks.


• Committed to coaching others, sharing knowledge and building sustainable technical capability within the team.

• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays


• Flexible working


• Pension


• Life assurance policy


• Private health care


• Lifestyle screening


• Salary sacrifice programme


• Mental health assistance programme


• Cycle to work scheme


• Green car scheme


• Opportunities for professional development and growth within the company


• Professional memberships fees covered/study support

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