Consulting Engineer HVDC Transformer Systems

GE Vernova · Stafford

Job Description Summary

The energy transition is driving unprecedented growth in electricity demand and generation. To accommodate this growth, the capacity of transmission systems is projected to triple. High voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems play a key role in connecting remote and offshore renewables, interconnecting energy markets, and reinforcing AC grids. Converter stations are required to convert AC to DC and vice versa. The heart of such converter stations, from a grid integration perspective, are the HVDC converter and interface transformers, which ensure efficient and reliable transmission of power.

GE Vernova’s Grid Systems Integration (GSI) business line delivers HVDC solutions to meet the transmission planning needs of utilities, system operators, developers, and industrial clients worldwide.

GE Vernova’s CTO office is tasked with developing the R&D roadmap for HVDC transformer technologies, managing engineering competencies within the company, and supporting projects with specialized technical expertise. Consulting Engineers, who sit in the CTO team, are the highest technical authority within GE Vernova's Grid Systems Integration and Cross Electrification business. They act as executive technical consultants, ensuring customer confidence, reviewing and enhancing design practices, acting as gatekeepers for technical reviews, applying lessons learned, leading complex, state-of-the-art technology improvements, and engaging with quality and cost optimization exercises both within their specialist domain and across other domains.

GE Vernova is currently looking for an experienced power transformer expert to join us as a Consulting Engineer for HVDC Transformers.

Job Description

Consulting Engineers are highly sought after within GE Vernova to provide expertise on challenging problems and to facilitate interfaces with adjacent technical domains. They are likely to have numerous publications, including conference papers, and patents. These professionals lead major technical initiatives, advocate for technological advancement, chair design reviews, mentor Principal Engineers and senior engineers, and benchmark their technology domain. They define the need for new design practices, author and review design standards, ensure lessons learned are documented and disseminated, and deliver effective technical presentations to upper management and external parties.

Consulting Engineers lead R&D and product enhancement projects with broad scope and significant impact on the business, acting as recognized experts in HVDC transformers. They are tasked with major and complex assignments that bear long-term business implications, contributing to overall strategy and navigating complex technical issues within their area of expertise.

Responsibilities:

Serve as a recognized technical authority in HVDC converter and interface transformers both internally and externally, and act as technical advisor to senior leadership.
Actively contribute to and drive both internal and external standardization, coordinate working group activities, and proactively represent GE Vernova in IEC/CIGRE and similar professional bodies, task forces, and industry committees.
Stay abreast of, collect, and internally communicate state-of-the-art technology developments in HVDC transformer design, materials, and testing.
Gather external information to determine future market needs and technology trends.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop and maintain a strategic HVDC transformer technology roadmap.
Suggest areas for technological advancement and recommend approaches/programs to pursue.
Evaluate and champion innovative ideas in transformer design, testing, and integration.
Contribute to Intellectual Property management:
- Creation of patents
- Participation in patent evaluation boards
- Review of patents to ensure freedom to operate
- Mentor other engineers in the patenting process
Oversee R&D programs from conception through industrialization, integrating new transformer technologies smoothly into production, ensuring successful project delivery.
Chair and act as technical authority in technology and product development gate reviews.
Collaborate and promote technology synergies across GE Vernova businesses, utilizing shared expertise and resources.
Support commercial teams with technical business development and sales.
Support supply chain and procurement departments with technical expertise on transformers.
Lead/support study teams addressing identified project challenges in HVDC transformer design, installation, and commissioning.
Lead/support technical proposals for new transformer technologies and applications, including external funding collaborations.
Support project technical tendering and delivery in the introduction of new transformer solutions.
Provide support to quality teams on major quality issues and act as technical authority in root cause analysis processes.
Act as technical authority in competence management:
- Identify and recommend improvements in specific transformer knowledge or technical training needs.
- Contribute to creating structured training plans and associated training material.
- Deliver training and mentor others.
- Act as technical authority in competence assessments of senior and principal engineers.
Lead/support the creation and presentation of conference papers, acting as a validator to ensure content is relevant, correct, and high standard.
Act as a knowledge ambassador, providing technical education to external universities.
Consult with and support the Chief Engineer’s Office in executing the office’s technical objectives to implement best practice transformer technologies and methods.

Qualifications / Requirements

The position requires a deep technical understanding of HVDC converter and interface transformers, including design processes, manufacturing, testing, and integration into HVDC and AC transmission systems. The successful candidate will have significant experience applying state-of-the-art technology to resolve complex technical challenges, and be recognized as a domain expert.

Master’s or PhD degree in Electrical Engineering or related fields, preferably with specialization in Power Transformer Design.
Extensive experience (typically 15–20 years) in the design, development, testing, and industrialization of HVDC converter and interface transformers.
Deep expertise in transformer specification, validation, testing, insulation coordination, and integration into HVDC and transmission systems.
Solid understanding of system-level aspects, including civil interfaces, transport, handling, site installation, and operational performance.
Comprehensive knowledge of international standards (IEC, IEEE) and the ability to apply them effectively in engineering practice.
Proven experience in supplier management, including technical alignment, contract interpretation, and oversight of technical delivery.
Strong record of technical publications, patents, and contributions to the HVDC transformer industry.
Excellent communication skills, capable of engaging with internal and external stakeholders, including clients, suppliers, and professional bodies.
Sound engineering judgment and high ethical standards, with consistent decision-making.
Leadership experience in cross-functional, multicultural engineering environments.
Commitment to talent development, mentoring, and knowledge sharing.

Desired Technical Competencies

Power transformer design for HVDC applications
Testing and validation of HVDC transformers
Transformer purchase specification and supplier alignment
Audible noise assessment and mitigation
Transformer shipping, handling, and site installation
Civil interfaces (foundations, oil catchment pits, etc.)
Transformer fire protection and safety compliance
Electrical modeling and analysis techniques
Insulation coordination and reliability analysis
Transformer ancillary component specification and validation

Grid Solutions, a GE Vernova business, serves customers globally with over 20,000 employees. We provide power utilities and industries worldwide with equipment, systems and services to bring power reliably and efficiently from the point of generation to end power consumers. Grid Solutions is focused on addressing the challenges of the energy transition by enabling the safe and reliable connection of renewable and distributed energy resources to the grid. We electrify the world with advanced grid technologies and accelerate the energy transition.

About GE Grid Solutions:

At GE Grid Solutions we are electrifying the world with advanced grid technologies. As leaders in the energy space our goal is to accelerate the transition for a more energy efficient grid to full fill the needs of tomorrow. With a focus on growth and sustainability GE Grid Solutions plays a pivotable role in integrating Renewables onto the grid to drive to carbon neutral. In Grid Solutions we help enable the transition for a greener more reliable Grid. GE Grid Solutions has the most advanced and comprehensive product and solutions portfolio within the energy sector.

Why we come to work:

At GE Renewable Energy, our engineers are always up for the challenge - and we’re always driven to find the best solution. Our projects are unique and interesting, and you’ll need to bring a solution-focused, positive approach to each one to do your best. Surrounded by committed, loyal colleagues, if you can dare to bring your ingenuity and desire to make an impact, you’ll be exposed to game-changing, diverse projects that truly allow you to play your part in the energy transition.

What we offer:

A key role in a dynamic, international working environment with a large degree of flexibility of work agreements

Competitive benefits, and great development opportunities - including private health insurance.

Additional Information

Relocation Assistance Provided: No

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