Lead QA Engineer - Real Time System

Job Description

Join SP Energy Networks as a Lead QA Engineer and play a key role in transforming how we manage and operate our electricity transmission network. Working within our Advanced Energy Management System (AEMS) team, you'll provide expertise in testing, validation, and performance of central systems that keep electricity flowing to millions of homes and businesses across Scotland, North Wales, and North West England. This is an opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects including REPOWER, Circuit Rating Management Systems, Dynamic Line Rating, and System Restoration Services-all critical to Scotland's goal to reach Net Zero by 2044. You'll work with internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure our systems meet the highest standards of reliability and performance.

What you'll be doing

• You'll coordinate the end-to-end testing strategy for our AEMS centralized systems, working closely with project teams and external vendors to ensure seamless integration and optimal performance. Your role will involve gathering testing requirements from subject matter experts, producing technical documentation, and mapping scenarios to enable comprehensive test execution.
• Your accountabilities will span the full lifecycle-from Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) in development environments, through User Acceptance Testing (UAT) in pre-production, to Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) with operational control teams. You'll verify system performance under expected workloads, test integration with Real Time Systems including PowerOn and Eterra, and conduct reliability and failover testing to ensure system resilience between primary and secondary sites.
• Working with cross-functional teams of engineers, technicians, and project managers, you'll identify and resolve issues, document test procedures and findings, and communicate recommendations to key stakeholders. You'll maintain accurate records of system configurations across development and UAT environments, ensure the availability of test infrastructure, and provide guidance and knowledge exchange to junior engineers.

What you'll bring

• You'll have experience with electricity transmission networks and control systems, along with familiarity with relevant industry standards such as IEC104, Modbus/TCP, IEC 61850, and IEEE standards. Your background includes end-to-end testing across IED, SCADA, server, and network infrastructure, backed by an HND or degree-level qualification in a relevant discipline.
• You possess the ability to create detailed technical test specifications and documentation, with experience in gathering and documenting technical environments. Your knowledge extends to testing methodologies and tools, communication protocols, and network technologies. Familiarity with OT security practices and best practices will serve you well in this role.
• Your problem-solving abilities and methodical approach are excellent, matched by your communication skills and ability to work effectively with others. You're highly organized, detail-oriented, and quality-focused, with strong presentational and verbal communication capabilities. Experience with IED test equipment such as Omicron would be beneficial, though not essential.
• Above all, you demonstrate strong safety awareness, professional behaviour, and integrity, bringing a positive, flexible approach and strong self-discipline to everything you do. You're willing to work across teams and contribute to additional projects and initiatives that advance departmental and company goals.

What's in it for you

As well as an attractive salary which is reviewed annually, you can also enjoy a number of other benefits. With our pension scheme, we'll double match your contribution up to a company contribution of 10%.

At ScottishPower, we believe it's the little things we do in life that make a big difference. From helping you look after your family's wellbeing, save for your future and take personal steps for climate action -- our benefits are designed to help you do just that - so that you have everything you need to take care of your world -- today and tomorrow. That's why our benefits include:

• 36 days annual leave
• Holiday Purchase - perfect your work/life balance with extra annual leave
• Equity Plans
• Payroll Giving and Charity Matched Funding
• Technology Vouchers - save more and spread the cost of your technology purchases
• Electric Vehicle Schemes - to help you transition to green/clean driving
• Cycle to Work scheme and Public Transport Season Ticket Loans
• Healthcare benefit options including: Dental Insurance, Private Medical Insurance, Health Cash Plan and annual Health Assessments
• Life Assurance (4x salary)
• Access to Savesmart financial wellbeing assistance
• Plus shopping, leisure, restaurant and gym discounts, and unique employee deals on travel insurance and more

Why SP Energy Networks

SP Energy Networks is part of the Iberdrola Group, one of the world's largest integrated utility companies and a world presence in wind energy. We keep electricity flowing to homes and businesses through Central and Southern Scotland, North Wales and in the North West of England. We operate over 4000km of cables and lines that make-up the transmission network - infrastructure like wind farms into the electricity system. It's a role that puts us right at the heart of Scotland's goal to be Net Zero by 2044. And we're taking it very seriously. We're investing >£5.5 billion into our transmission network, directly enabling the rapid growth needed in renewable energy. With diverse opportunities across our businesses and a focus on investing in our own internal talent, ScottishPower can offer people real career opportunities that meet personal and professional goals, in a global organisation.

Inclusion, diversity, and a social purpose are at the heart of everything we do. Combined with our values, they bring us into a stronger, more sustainable business with direct links to the communities we serve. It takes all types of people to build a large-scale business like ours, so whatever your background, you'll fit right in.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments in our recruiting processes for candidates with disabilities, long term conditions, mental health conditions, or who are neurodivergent or require pregnancy-related accommodations. If you need assistance, please reach out to [email protected].

Mobility

Please note that any applicant who is not a citizen of the country of the vacancy will be subject to compliance with the applicable immigration requirements to legally work in that country. If/when required, the Company will support the employee with the necessary Immigration requirements.