Senior Electrical, Control & Instrumentation Engineer

Leading Engineering Solutions Provider | Defence Sector | Reading-based | Hybrid | Long-term Contract | Outside IR35 | Current SC Clearance Required

The Opportunity

We're recruiting a Senior Electrical, Control & Instrumentation (EC&I) Engineer for a leading engineering solutions provider delivering services to a leading defence operator. You'll deliver EC&I technical expertise across multiple projects, working on strategically important defence programmes.

MUST HAVE: Functional Safety certification and experience. This is a senior technical role for an experienced EC&I engineer with proven functional safety expertise. You'll deliver complex EC&I design and technical solutions on defence programmes, supporting a leading operator's critical infrastructure and systems.

What You'll Be Doing

EC&I Design & Technical Delivery

Deliver electrical, control and instrumentation design across defence projects
Produce electrical design documentation including SLDs, cable schedules, equipment specifications, schematics and control system designs
Develop control system architectures and functional specifications
Design safety-critical systems and instrumentation

Functional Safety Leadership

Essential: Lead functional safety activities on defence programmes
Conduct Functional Safety Assessments (FSAs) and Safety Integrity Level (SIL) determinations
Develop Safety Instrumented System (SIS) designs and specifications
Ensure compliance with functional safety standards (IEC 61508, IEC 61511)
Manage functional safety documentation and assurance

Technical Compliance & Quality

Ensure all designs comply with defence standards and regulatory requirements
Maintain rigorous quality assurance and technical documentation
Conduct design reviews and technical approvals
Support compliance with client specifications and security requirements

Equipment & Procurement

Specify electrical and control equipment for defence applications
Review supplier quotations and technical proposals
Manage procurement of control systems and instrumentation
Ensure compliance with defence standards and certification requirements

Commissioning & Support

Support commissioning activities on defence programmes
Provide technical support to construction and operations teams
Resolve technical issues during implementation and handover

About You

Essential Qualifications & Experience

MUST HAVE: Current SC (Security Clearance) — you must hold valid, current clearance
MUST HAVE: Functional Safety certification and proven experience — demonstrated background in functional safety on defence or similar regulated programmes
Degree in electrical, electronic, control or related engineering discipline
Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status with a relevant professional body, or clear evidence of working towards professional registration
Minimum 10+ years' EC&I engineering experience on defence or similarly regulated infrastructure projects
Expert-level knowledge of:
- Control system design and implementation
- Functional Safety standards (IEC 61508, IEC 61511)
- Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS)
- Electrical power systems and distribution
- Instrumentation and measurement systems
- Defence standards and specifications
Strong understanding of:
- Defence sector security requirements and procedures
- UK legislation and standards for defence applications
- Risk identification and management
- HSE requirements for electrical and control systems
Excellent communication skills — confident engaging with clients and technical teams
Quality and compliance focused — meticulous approach to design and documentation
Highly motivated — takes ownership of technical delivery

Desirable

Extensive defence sector experience
Track record on critical infrastructure or safety-critical systems
Experience with digital control systems and automation
Familiarity with BIM and integrated design management
Commissioning experience
Mentoring or team leadership experience

Security Clearance

Current SC (Security Clearance) is essential. Only candidates holding valid, current clearance will be considered.

The Role in Practice

You'll be based in Reading, with minimum 2 days per fortnight in office and flexible working for remaining time. You'll report to senior engineering leadership and work on defence programmes for a leading operator.

This is hands-on technical work on strategically important defence projects. You'll be delivering EC&I design, leading functional safety activities, and ensuring compliance with defence standards. Your functional safety expertise and technical judgment directly impact how critical systems are designed and implemented.

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