Senior Control & Instrumentation Engineer

Leading Engineering Consultancy | Nuclear/ Infrastructure Sector | Hybrid Working | Long-term Contract | Outside IR35 | Competitive Rate | Ability to obtain SC Clearance Required

The Opportunity

We're recruiting a Senior Control & Instrumentation Engineer to provide technical leadership and deliver high-quality engineering solutions across projects and proposals. You'll be responsible for C&I technical delivery throughout the full project lifecycle, ensuring compliance with standards, and mentoring junior engineers.

Contract Details: Outside IR35 | Competitive rate | Hybrid working| Long-term contract | SC clearance required (ability to obtain)

MUST HAVE: Nuclear industry experience. This is a senior technical role for an experienced C&I engineer with proven expertise in nuclear or similar regulated infrastructure. You'll lead C&I workstreams, drive technical delivery, review supplier quotations, support functional safety activities, and support engineering teams. You'll have the technical authority to approve engineering deliverables and drive technical excellence across projects.

What You'll Be Doing

C&I Technical Leadership & Design

• Provide technical input for the instrumentation discipline across projects and proposals
• Prepare, check and approve C&I engineering documentation throughout project lifecycle
• Develop control system designs from concept through to commissioning
• Undertake software qualification of SMART devices and PLCs
• Carry out Functional Safety activities in line with industry standards (IEC 61508, IEC 61511)
• Support full lifecycle delivery of control and protection systems
• Ensure designs are safe, practical, cost-effective and compliant with all applicable standards

Equipment & Procurement Management

• Prepare equipment and material requisitions for:
  • Control systems
  • Safety systems
  • Analyser houses
  • Field instrumentation and associated equipment
• Review supplier quotations and produce detailed technical bid assessments
• Manage supplier relationships and coordinate procurement
• Ensure all equipment meets ATEX, PED, Low Voltage Directive, Machinery Directive and EMC compliance

Installation & Commissioning

• Develop installation scopes of work for construction teams
• Support project execution and installation planning
• Provide commissioning support and witness testing
• Resolve technical issues during site implementation
• Support handover and operational readiness

Compliance & Standards

• Ensure compliance with all applicable national and international codes and legislation
• Maintain rigorous quality assurance and technical documentation
• Ensure knowledge of hazardous area installations and explosive atmosphere requirements
• Support CE marking compliance and regulatory requirements
• Contribute to risk identification, assessment and management

About You

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• MUST HAVE: Nuclear industry experience - demonstrated, recent background on nuclear or similar regulated infrastructure projects
• Degree in relevant engineering discipline (Electrical, Electronic, or Control Engineering) - Apprenticeships with significant professional experience considered
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status, or demonstrable clear progress toward professional registration
• Minimum 10+ years' experience in C&I engineering role within nuclear, Oil & Gas, or similar regulated sectors
• Expert-level knowledge of:
  • Control system design and implementation
  • SMART devices and PLC programming and qualification
  • Functional Safety standards (IEC 61508, IEC 61511)
  • Process instrumentation and field devices
  • Safety instrumented systems
  • Analyser selection and integration
• Strong understanding of:
  • Design practices and installation requirements across process industries
  • UK legislation, standards and regulatory requirements for C&I systems
  • Hazardous area installations and explosive atmosphere requirements (ATEX)
  • CE marking requirements (ATEX, PED, Low Voltage Directive, Machinery Directive, EMC)
  • Risk identification, assessment and management
  • HSE requirements for C&I systems
• Leadership capability — proven ability to mentor and develop junior engineers
• Excellent communication skills — confident engaging with clients, colleagues and stakeholders
• Quality and compliance focused — meticulous approach to engineering documentation and regulatory compliance
• Highly motivated — takes ownership of technical delivery and team development

Desirable

• Experience on major nuclear infrastructure projects
• Track record of leading C&I teams on complex programmes
• Familiarity with BIM and integrated design management
• Knowledge of process control and automation systems
• Experience with digital/smart instrumentation
• Commissioning and factory acceptance testing experience
• Mentoring and developing junior engineers
• Experience on early contractor involvement or design-build projects

Security Clearance

You must be able to obtain SC (Security Clearance) to work on nuclear infrastructure projects. BPSS is the minimum starting point.

The Role in Practice

You'll work on a hybrid basis with flexible working arrangements. You'll be responsible for C&I technical leadership across multiple projects, managing design quality, compliance, team performance and stakeholder engagement. You'll report to senior engineering leadership and collaborate with civil, electrical, mechanical and other engineering disciplines.

This is hands-on technical work where your C&I expertise and leadership directly impact project quality and delivery. You'll be responsible for engineering approvals, supplier management, functional safety delivery, and mentor development. Your technical decisions on control system approach, equipment selection and design strategy shape how projects are executed.

Why This Role

You'll be working for a leading engineering consultancy on strategically important nuclear infrastructure projects. This is professional C&I engineering at senior level, where your nuclear experience and technical expertise are genuinely valued. You'll be working with experienced teams on complex, regulated programmes where instrumentation and control systems are critical to safety and performance.

The role offers competitive rates for senior C&I engineers with proven nuclear background, long-term engagement on significant projects, and genuine technical authority and leadership opportunities. You'll have scope to develop deeper expertise in nuclear C&I systems whilst mentoring the next generation of engineers.