Control & Instrumentation (C&I) - Design Engineer

Control & Instrumentation (C&I) - Design Engineer

Full-Time 55000 - 70000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
ALTEN LTD - UK

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design and develop innovative control systems for the energy sector.
  • Company: ALTEN, a global engineering consultancy with a focus on sustainability.
  • Benefits: Personalised career paths, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
  • Other info: Diverse projects, ongoing learning, and a supportive work environment.
  • Why this job: Join a passionate team and shape the future of technology and sustainability.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Engineering and experience in Control & Instrumentation systems.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 70000 £ per year.

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide.

We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement & support sustainable transformation.

Our teams of passionate and agile engineers work on cutting‑edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability.

At ALTEN, we empower talented engineers to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver impactful solutions that build tomorrow’s world—today.

Join us and start building tomorrow’s world today!

Job Description

  • ALTEN UK is seeking a motivated
  • Control & Instrumentation (C&I) - Design Engineer to join our growing team in

Derby | Manchester | Warrington , supporting key projects within the Energy sector.

This is an exciting opportunity for engineers looking to develop deep technical expertise across the full lifecycle of control and instrumentation systems.

As a

Control & Instrumentation (C&I) Engineer , you will join our team to support the delivery of complex projects within the nuclear and safety‑critical industries .

This role focuses on the detailed design and specification of

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems , automation platforms, and primary plant control and monitoring interfaces.

You will be responsible for transforming high‑level safety, functional, and operational requirements into robust engineering designs suitable for implementation by software and hardware vendors.

Working closely with systems engineers, safety specialists, human factors teams, cybersecurity experts, and platform suppliers, you will play a key role in ensuring that solutions meet stringent safety, reliability, performance, and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyse and decompose requirements from

  • Safety Requirement Specifications (SRS)
  • Functional Requirement Specifications (FRS)
  • HMI design requirements
  • Alarm management philosophies
  • Hardware, software, and network architectures

• Develop detailed requirements for

  • Data acquisition and processing
  • Control logic and automated sequencing
  • Communication interfaces and data routing
  • Diagnostics, health monitoring, and redundancy functions
  • Maintain end‑to‑end traceability between system requirements, detailed designs, and vendor deliverables
  • Verify requirements for completeness, consistency, and compliance with applicable standards
  • SCADA & Control System Design

• Produce detailed design documentation including

  • Functional block diagrams
  • Logical architectures
  • Signal routing and data flow specifications
  • I/O allocation schedules
  • Communication and networking requirements
  • Alarm definitions and prioritisation schemes
  • HMI display logic and data mapping
  • Define system operating modes, fail‑safe behaviours, redundancy concepts, and recovery strategies
  • Develop high‑quality engineering design packages for software and hardware development teams

• Produce technical specifications enabling vendors to

  • Develop application software
  • Configure control system hardware
  • Design compliant communication networks
  • Review vendor technical submissions, design documentation, and engineering solutions
  • Participate in technical reviews, hazard assessments, and design verification activities
  • Support integration activities and ensure alignment between system architecture and operational requirements
  • Provide technical expertise throughout the design lifecycle
  • Support development of verification and validation strategies
  • Contribute to Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), integration testing, and system validation activities

• Ensure compliance with

  • Nuclear industry standards
  • Functional safety requirements
  • Cybersecurity requirements
  • Internal engineering governance processes

Qualifications

  • Required Skills
  • Strong experience in

Control & Instrumentation systems design , ideally within nuclear, energy, or other safety‑critical industries (e. g. oil & gas)

  • Experience in functional specification and system‑level design
  • Solid understanding of control systems and control theory
  • Knowledge of system lifecycle activities including V&V, commissioning, and maintenance
  • Familiarity with industry standards such as IEC 61508, IEC 61513, IEC 61226 (or equivalent)
  • Experience applying systems engineering methodologies
  • Experience with requirements management tools (e. g. IBM DOORS, Polarion)
  • Understanding of
  • Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools (Capella preferred)
  • Strong problem‑solving skills with a structured, logical approach
  • Required Qualifications
  • A
  • Bachelor’s or
  • Master’s degree in

Engineering , or equivalent military experience .

  • Experience working with Control Systems
  • Electrical Engineering experience

Desirable Skills

  • Experience working on large infrastructure projects with high level safety requirements.

Why join us?

We bring together entrepreneurial, tech‑driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies.

At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals.

Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.

In short you get

  • A personalised career path and a rewarding management style
  • A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
  • Private Medical Insurance
  • Cycle & Tech Scheme
  • Employee assistance programme
  • Life insurance & Pension Scheme
  • Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings
  • Flexible way of working (role dependent)

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners.

We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes.

ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance.

As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.

UK.

If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected.

Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.

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Control & Instrumentation (C&I) - Design Engineer employer: ALTEN LTD - UK

ALTEN LTD - UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Bristol that fosters innovation and collaboration in the aerospace and sustainable energy sectors. Employees benefit from a strong culture of professional development, with opportunities to engage in cutting-edge projects and contribute to meaningful advancements in sustainable aviation fuel technology. The company prioritises employee well-being and growth, making it an attractive place for those seeking a rewarding career in engineering.

ALTEN LTD - UK

Contact Details:

ALTEN LTD - UK Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Control & Instrumentation (C&I) - Design Engineer

Get Involved in Control Systems Communities

Dive into control systems forums and relevant LinkedIn groups to showcase your expertise. Engage in discussions, answer questions, and share your knowledge—this can help us get noticed by potential employers looking for someone just like you!

Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops

Join conferences or workshops specifically tailored to control systems engineering, like the IEEE conference. These events are goldmines for networking with industry leaders and might just lead us to that perfect role at ALTEN LTD - UK.

Get Practical Experience Through Projects

Start or contribute to projects that highlight your control systems skills. Whether it’s a simulated environment or real-world application, having tangible results will give us a huge edge when chatting with ALTEN LTD - UK.

Choose Job Boards Wisely

Focus on niche job boards that specialise in engineering roles. Channels like Engineers.co or similar can help ensure that we’re not only applying to random jobs but targeting positions that align perfectly with our control systems engineering skills!

We think you need these skills to ace Control & Instrumentation (C&I) - Design Engineer

Control & Instrumentation Systems Design
Functional Specification
System-Level Design
Control Systems Knowledge
Control Theory Understanding
Requirements Management Tools (e.g. IBM DOORS, Polarion)
Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Tools (Capella preferred)

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Your Technical Skills:When applying for the Control & Instrumentation (C&I) - Design Engineer role, make sure to showcase your technical expertise in control systems. Be specific about the software and programming languages you’ve worked with—mention anything from MATLAB to PLC programming. This will help us see your proficiency in the tools that are essential for the job.

Quantify Your Achievements:In the engineering world, numbers speak volumes! Use your CV to quantify your achievements—whether it’s a percentage improvement in system efficiency or successful project completions under budget. This will not only make your application stand out but also showcase your problem-solving capabilities to us.

Tailor Your Cover Letter:Don’t hesitate to get personal in your cover letter! Talk about why you’re passionate about control systems engineering and how your previous experiences have prepared you for this role at ALTEN LTD - UK. We want to see your genuine interest and motivation to contribute to our projects.

Professional Documentation:For a full-time role, ensure that your application documents are professional and well-structured. Include a clear CV format and cover letter that highlights key projects or systems you've worked on. Don’t forget to mention any relevant certifications or training that would make you a valuable addition to us at ALTEN LTD - UK.

How to prepare for a job interview at ALTEN LTD - UK

Brush Up on Control Systems Concepts

Make sure we're up to speed with control systems theory—think stability analysis, PID tuning, and state-space representation. Revising these fundamentals will help us answer technical questions more confidently and demonstrate our expertise during the interview.

Familiarise Yourself with Simulation Tools

Get hands-on with popular simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink or LabVIEW. A lot of interviews might include technical assessments or practical tasks to gauge our understanding of system modelling and control design using these tools, so being proficient could really set us apart.

Be Ready for Problem-Solving Scenarios

We should expect scenario-based questions where we'll have to solve real-world control system challenges. Practising how to approach problems logically and articulately will help us show our analytical thinking to the interviewer at ALTEN LTD - UK.

Show Your Passion for Engineering

As this role is full-time, it's crucial we convey our genuine enthusiasm for control systems engineering. Sharing personal projects or experiences where we tackled interesting engineering tasks can illustrate our commitment and eagerness to contribute to the team at ALTEN LTD - UK.