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Job added on: 17 September 2026

Secondary Design Engineer – Protection & Control Bilbao

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Secondary Design Engineer – Protection & Control Bilbao

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Location: The Netherlands | Full-time | Open to candidates currently based in Spain

Are you an Electrical Engineer with experience in Protection & Control, secondary systems or substation automation?

As a Secondary Design Engineer – Protection & Control, you will design the systems responsible for the protection, control, measurement and monitoring of medium- and high-voltage substations in the Netherlands.

You will work on both greenfield projects and extensions or modernisation of existing substations.

What will you do?

You will translate functional and client requirements into detailed secondary electrical designs.

Your responsibilities can include:

  • Designing Protection & Control systems for MV and HV substations;
  • Developing secondary circuits for protection, control, measurement, signalling and interlocking;
  • Preparing electrical schematics, wiring diagrams and connection diagrams;
  • Engineering protection and control panels;
  • Designing AC and DC auxiliary systems;
  • Defining interfaces between primary equipment and secondary systems;
  • Working with CT and VT secondary circuits;
  • Preparing cable schedules, terminal information and technical documentation;
  • Selecting and specifying electrical equipment and components;
  • Developing material specifications;
  • Translating customer requirements into an engineering solution using a Systems Engineering approach;
  • Preparing technical work packages and specifications for subcontracted activities;
  • Reviewing engineering documents and supplier proposals;
  • Coordinating the secondary design with Primary, Civil, BIM and other engineering disciplines;
  • Supporting engineering during construction, testing and commissioning phases.

Depending on your experience, you may also take responsibility for technical coordination or act as Design Lead for specific engineering packages.

Relevant Spanish educational backgrounds include:

  • Grado en Ingeniería Eléctrica;
  • Grado en Ingeniería Electrónica Industrial y Automática;
  • Grado en Ingeniería en Tecnologías Industriales;
  • Máster Universitario en Ingeniería Industrial;
  • Former Ingeniero Industrial;
  • Former Ingeniero Técnico Industrial, especialidad Electricidad/Electrónica Industrial;
  • Or a comparable Electrical, Power or Automation Engineering qualification.

What do you bring?

  • Several years of experience in Electrical Engineering, Power Engineering, Industrial Automation or substation engineering;
  • Knowledge of Protection & Control principles;
  • Experience with electrical schematics and secondary circuits;
  • Understanding of MV and/or HV installations;
  • Experience with engineering software such as AutoCAD, EPLAN, ELCAD or equivalent;
  • Ability to work within multidisciplinary engineering projects;
  • Good working English.

Experience with any of the following is an advantage:

  • Protection relays;
  • SCADA or RTU systems;
  • Substation automation;
  • IEC standards;
  • IEC 61850;
  • Interlocking and control philosophies;
  • Testing or commissioning of protection and control systems.
  • €4,000 – €5,500 gross per month, depending on knowledge and experience;
  • 22 vacation days + 13 ATV days: 35 days off per year;
  • Hybrid working possibilities and a home-working allowance;
  • Commuting allowance or business public-transport card;
  • A strong pension scheme;
  • Technical training and professional development;
  • The opportunity to specialise further in Protection & Control and Secondary Engineering;
  • Career opportunities towards Senior Engineer, Lead Engineer or Technical Specialist;
  • Bicycle leasing and fitness schemes;
  • Complex projects within the Dutch energy infrastructure;
  • An international, multidisciplinary engineering environment.
  • You will work in a multidisciplinary engineering environment on projects for the Dutch energy infrastructure. The teams consist of Primary and Secondary Engineers, BIM Modelers, Civil and Structural Engineers, Lead Engineers and Project Managers.
  • Projects range from the extension and modernisation of existing substations to the engineering of completely new installations. Depending on the project phase, you will work on concept design, basic engineering, detailed engineering and technical support during construction.
  • You will be surrounded by experienced engineers and specialists, while having room to take ownership of your own engineering scope. Collaboration between disciplines is an important part of the work, as electrical, civil, structural and control systems all come together within a substation.
  • The working environment is professional but informal, with short communication lines and a strong focus on technical quality and practical solutions.
  • Hybrid working is possible, combining office-based engineering with working from home. Depending on your position and project, occasional visits to substations, project locations or clients may also be part of the role.
  • You will be joining an international engineering environment. Good English is important, but speaking Dutch is not required when you start.

Rubin Dellink
Project Manager

+31 (0)6 82 09 25 99
r.dellink@xelvin.nl

The application process

01. Apply

Easily apply by clicking the ‘apply-button’ below.

02. Let's meet

We’d love to get to know you and you’ll get to know us at the same time.

03. Opportunities

Together, we’ll discuss your ambitions, explore the opportunities and introduce you to our clients.

04. Offer

If it’s a match, we’ll make you an offer!

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