Protection Specialist – Distribution Network

About the role

The Protection Specialist provides leadership and technical guidance to the protection team, supporting internal and external stakeholders to maintain the distribution network in line with ESB Networks Protection Policy and the Distribution System Protection Standard.

Key responsibilities

• Set design standards for MV, 38 kV, and DSO‑controlled 110 kV protection schemes and monitor compliance.
• Engage with EMP on fault design issues and participate in the Design Register Forum.
• Manage protection issues related to CTs, VTs, circuit breakers and MV reclosers.
• Review technical evaluations from ESB EMP or tender processes and approve recommendations.
• Develop technical documentation, including functional specifications for protection and earthing.
• Provide input to project initiatives, technical approvals and approve protection elements of scopes of work and single‑line diagrams.
• Liaise with DAO, TAO Programme Management and EirGrid on TSO projects.
• Maintain protection risks on the Risk Register and support DPR CAPEX/OPEX deliverables.
• Participate in DPR change‑request meetings and manage material availability for protection components.

Required profile

• Proven experience in electrical protection design and standards for medium and high voltage networks.
• Strong ability to lead technical teams and collaborate with multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical skills for risk management and regulatory submissions.

Required skills

• Medium Voltage (MV) protection scheme design
• High Voltage (110 kV) protection standards
• Current Transformers (CT) and Voltage Transformers (VT) expertise
• Circuit breaker and MV recloser protection
• Technical evaluation and tender review
• Functional specification development
• Risk register management
• DPR (Distribution Plan Review) processes