Principal Protection & Controls Engineer Ireland (Dublin / Cork — hybrid) Permanent Competitive salary (circa 10+ years' experience)

Overview

embs. energy is working in partnership with a leading global engineering and technical services business that is scaling its Protection & Controls capability across Ireland. With major transmission frameworks active and a secured, multi-year pipeline of work, our client is building out its P&C team — and is currently seeking an experienced Principal to anchor design delivery.

This is a rare opportunity to join one of the strongest framework positions in the transmission market at a genuine growth moment, on a design-led remit with clear progression above it.

What's in it for you?

Stability / Longevity: A secured, long-horizon pipeline of transmission work measured in years, not quarters, with active bidding across the Irish grid and an established regional presence.

Competitive salary: Benchmarked to a Principal-level remit; full range and benefits sheet confirmed on your first call with embs. energy.

Hours: Days, with genuine hybrid flexibility — typically two days per week in a regional office, and flexibility on which days. This is not a covert return-to-office mandate.

Benefits: Single medical cover and digital GP service, enhanced parental leave and support programmes, professional membership and CPD reimbursement, employee assistance programme, EV scheme, and matched-funding / paid volunteering.

Responsibilities

Off the back of an unusually strong framework position and continued growth, our client is seeking an experienced Principal Protection & Controls Engineer to lead design delivery across live transmission programmes.

As a Principal, you will lead FEED and detailed design, own protection schemes, settings and relay coordination, and mentor junior engineers within the team. You will act as a technical authority on P&C design from day one, working within the standards and technical requirements of the relevant grid bodies, including EirGrid and ESB Networks.

Successful applicants must be able to demonstrate proven transmission design experience at 400kV — gained on major grid or network programmes rather than in commissioning — typically underpinned by Chartered Engineer status and a design-led P&C background. Candidates from I&C or automation looking to cross into P&C should note that technical authority on P&C design is required from the outset.

If you are interested in a Principal Protection & Controls role and believe you meet the illustrated criteria, apply today to join our client's growing team in Ireland.

About us

embs. energy is a specialist Power & Energy recruitment consultancy, partnering with leading organisations across Transmission & Distribution, HV/EHV, substations, protection & controls, renewables and data centre power — placing talent from Designer to CEO across the UK, Ireland and USA. We'll offer you expert support and advice throughout the process to ensure you select and secure a career-defining role.

Please note, applicants must hold the right to work in Ireland.

Helen Charteris | Practice Director, Global Power & Energy | embs. talent — Connecting the best talent across Transmission & Distribution, HV/EHV, substations, protection & control, renewables and data centre power, from Designer to CEO. UK | Ireland | USA. helen@embstalent.co.uk 07512 540612. embs. talent — specialist Power & Energy recruitment consultancy, founded in 2003. Triple ISO certified, including ISO 42001 for AI management.

Principal Protection & Controls Design Engineer