Electrical Protection Design Engineer - 6-12 Month Contract (Hybrid - Stafford)We are seeking an experienced Protection Design Engineer to join our team on a 6-12 month contract, working on a hybrid basis (3 days per week on-site in Stafford). The successful candidate will play a key role in the design, delivery, and commissioning of protection systems for electrical substations.This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to major grid automation projects, acting as a technical interface between customers and the wider engineering team.Key Responsibilities:Lead Technical Delivery: Drive technical activities across the full project lifecycle — from initial design through to commissioning.Customer & Project Coordination: Lead or participate in customer meetings, project risk reviews, and manage engineering task budgets and timelines.Design & Documentation: Analyse customer specifications, develop technical documentation, and validate solutions directly with clients.Technical Oversight: Specify IEDs and software, manage technical execution plans, and ensure safety standards are met.Issue Resolution: Investigate and resolve technical issues, respond to fault reports, and support site engineers both remotely and on-site.Testing & Commissioning: Lead Factory and Site Acceptance Testing (FAT/SAT) and support commissioning milestones.Essential Qualifications & Experience:Education: Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent).Experience: Minimum 5 years in protection and electrical design engineering, particularly for substations.Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of protection functions, electrical schemes, and cubicle design.Design Tools: Proven experience configuring protection relays and conducting network studies.Mobility: Willingness to travel (domestically and internationally) as required; valid driving licence.Desirable Skills:Expertise in protection and automation systems across LV, MV & HV applications.Hands-on experience with substation automation and protection relays.Strong interpersonal, problem-solving, and communication skills.Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.Flexible, proactive, and team-oriented mindset.Contract Details:Location: Stafford (Hybrid - 3 days on-site per week)Contract Type: 6-12 monthsStart Date: ASAPRate: Competitive (based on experience)