At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead projects in the Nuclear sector, producing C&I design deliverables and mentoring junior engineers.
- Company: Costain delivers smart infrastructure solutions across energy, water, transportation, and defence markets in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Join a forward-thinking team making a real impact on national infrastructure and sustainability.
- Qualifications: Degree in Control Engineering or equivalent; significant experience in Nuclear sector required.
- Other info: Security clearance eligibility is essential; apprenticeships may be considered.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Job Description
Job Description
Working in a multi-disciplinary team delivering projects in the Nuclear Sector. Responsible for the production of C&I design deliverables including analysis, calculations, reports and specifications.
Taking responsibility for leading small projects and sub tasks from a technical perspective. Communicate designs effectively to instrument designers, other disciplines, construction personnel and stakeholders.
Attendance occasionally required for site visits, design reviews and client meetings, mainly within the Northwest region. Support and guide more junior team members.
Challenge and deliver value engineering solutions. Confident and authoritative in front of clients.
Responsibilities
As a client facing Principal Engineer, your responsibilities could involve:
- Responsibility for instrument discipline technical input for projects and/or proposals; including preparation, checking and/or approval of engineering documentation
- Organising discipline staff, allocating work and ensuring delivery against plan
- Mentoring and developing graduates and less experienced engineers
- Production of high-quality C&I engineering deliverables to schedule, budget and client satisfaction
- Ensuring all applicable national and international codes of practice, legislation and company/client standards and procedures are complied with
- Preparing equipment and materials requisitions for control systems, safety systems, analyser houses, field instrumentation and other instrument equipment
- Preparing installation scopes of works
- Reviewing supplier's quotations and preparing technical bid assessments
More specific tasks could include:
- Full life-cycle development (hardware and software) of either control or protection systems
- Software qualification of SMART devices and PLCs
- Functional Safety determination (both probabilistic and deterministic)
- Production and modification of C&I safety cases and / or cyber security cases
Qualifications
Essential
- Good knowledge of design working practices and installation requirements of the discipline within the Nuclear sector.
- Significant instrument engineering experience with a significant portion spent in the Nuclear sector
- Security Clearance or capability to achieve it
- Extensive knowledge of UK legislation and standards
- Competence in the requirements for installation of equipment on Nuclear plant
- Experience in the requirements for CE marking of plant and equipment, including ATEX, DSEAR, PED, Low Voltage Directive, Machinery Directive and EMC Compliance
- Awareness of risk identification, quantification, management and of HSE requirements
- Degree in Control Engineering or suitable equivalent (e.g. Electronic / Electrical / Instrumentation Engineering) Apprenticeships may be considered
- Chartered or Incorporated engineer status with a relevant professional body or evidence of being close to gaining these professional titles
- Eligibility to obtain Security Clearance, UK Citizen or UK residency for 5 years
Desirable
- Experience of working in multi-discipline teams
- Experience of leading projects in a client facing role
- Experience in the requirements for ATEX
- Formal Functional Safety qualification
About Us
Costain helps to improve people's lives with integrated, leading edge, smart infrastructure solutions across the UK's energy, water, transportation and defence markets. We help our clients improve their business performance by increasing capacity, improving customer service, safeguarding security, enhancing resilience, decarbonising and delivering increased efficiency. Our vision is to be the UK's leading smart infrastructure solutions company. We will achieve this by focusing on blue chip clients whose major spending plans are underpinned by strategic national needs, regulatory commitments, legislation or essential performance requirements. We offer our clients leading edge solutions that are digitally optimised through the following five services which cover the whole lifecycle of their assets: future-shaping strategic consultancy; consultancy and advisory; digital technology solutions; asset optimisation and complex programme delivery. Our culture and values underpin everything we do.
Costain appreciate the time and effort taken when applying for one of our positions but, due to the high volume of responses, we are unable to provide individual feedback on candidates at application phase.
We do share individual feedback following an interview.
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that disclose they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer.
It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people.
For more details please go to the Disability Confident website:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/disability-confident-campaign
Principal Control & Instrumentation Engineer employer: Costain Group
Contact Detail:
Costain Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Control & Instrumentation Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest UK legislation and standards relevant to the Nuclear sector. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to compliance and safety, which are crucial in this field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the Nuclear sector, especially those who have experience in control and instrumentation engineering. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to build connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in leading projects and mentoring junior engineers. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully managed teams or delivered complex projects, as this will resonate well with the responsibilities of a Principal Engineer.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to showcase your problem-solving skills, particularly in value engineering solutions. Think of instances where you've challenged existing processes or designs to improve efficiency or safety, as this aligns with the role's expectations.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Control & Instrumentation Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Principal Control & Instrumentation Engineer position. Understand the key responsibilities and qualifications required, especially those related to the Nuclear sector.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in control and instrumentation engineering, particularly within the Nuclear sector. Emphasise your project leadership skills and any experience mentoring junior engineers.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the industry. Mention specific projects or experiences that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, and express your understanding of the importance of compliance with national and international standards.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Ensure you clearly list your qualifications, including your degree in Control Engineering or equivalent, and any professional status such as Chartered or Incorporated engineer. If you have experience with ATEX or Functional Safety qualifications, make sure to mention these as well.
How to prepare for a job interview at Costain Group
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
As a Principal Control & Instrumentation Engineer, it's crucial to demonstrate your deep understanding of C&I design deliverables. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on, focusing on your role in producing high-quality engineering documentation and how you ensured compliance with relevant standards.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since this role involves liaising with various stakeholders, practice articulating your designs clearly. Use examples from past experiences where you successfully communicated complex technical information to non-technical audiences, ensuring everyone was on the same page.
✨Highlight Leadership Skills
You'll be expected to lead small projects and mentor junior engineers. Prepare to share instances where you've taken charge of a project or guided less experienced team members, showcasing your ability to inspire and develop talent within a team.
✨Prepare for Client Interactions
Being client-facing means you need to be confident and authoritative. Think of scenarios where you've interacted with clients, addressing their needs and concerns effectively. This will help you convey your capability to build strong client relationships during the interview.