Control & Instrumentation (C&I) - Design Engineer in Manchester
Control & Instrumentation (C&I) - Design Engineer

Control & Instrumentation (C&I) - Design Engineer in Manchester

Manchester Full-Time 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
ALTEN LTD - UK

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the design of innovative control systems for cutting-edge energy projects.
  • Company: Join ALTEN, a global leader in engineering and technology consultancy.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a personalised career path, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable technology while developing your engineering expertise.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Engineering and experience in Control & Instrumentation systems required.
  • Other info: Collaborate with passionate teams and enjoy a vibrant social atmosphere.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ 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 and 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!

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. In this role, you will lead the development of C&I functional specifications across the nuclear plant, translating high-level plant requirements into structured, implementable system designs. You will play a key role in defining how plant systems behave, interact, and respond under various operating conditions. Working at the heart of a multidisciplinary engineering environment, you will collaborate closely with system architects, plant designers, and simulation teams to ensure robust, aligned, and high-quality solutions. This is an excellent opportunity for experienced engineers who want to take ownership of complex design packages and contribute to a first-of-a-kind nuclear programme.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the development of functional design specifications for C&I systems across the SMR plant
  • Translate plant-level requirements into clear, structured system functions and behaviours
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including: C&I architects and system owners, Plant system and capability teams, Modelling and simulation engineers
  • Support technical decision‑making and ensure alignment across engineering disciplines
  • Deliver work packages to time, cost, and quality expectations
  • Contribute to system design strategies including resilience, redundancy, and fault tolerance
  • Support verification, validation, commissioning, and lifecycle activities
  • Mentor and guide junior engineers within the team

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.

Additional Information

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.

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

ALTEN is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, empowering engineers to innovate and tackle complex challenges in the Energy sector. With a strong emphasis on personal development, employees benefit from tailored career paths, ongoing mentoring, and a diverse range of engineering projects, all while enjoying a supportive environment that values collaboration and teamwork. Located in Derby, Manchester, and Warrington, ALTEN offers unique advantages such as flexible working arrangements and a commitment to employee well-being through comprehensive benefits like private medical insurance and life insurance.
ALTEN LTD - UK

Contact Detail:

ALTEN LTD - UK Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

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

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at ALTEN on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical knowledge. Make sure you can discuss control systems and design principles confidently. We want to see your passion for engineering shine through!

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your problem-solving skills during interviews. Be ready to tackle hypothetical scenarios related to C&I systems. We love seeing how you think on your feet and approach complex challenges.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at ALTEN.

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

Control & Instrumentation Systems Design
Functional Specification Development
System-Level Design
Control Systems Knowledge
Control Theory Understanding
Verification and Validation (V&V)
Commissioning Experience
Maintenance Knowledge
Industry Standards Familiarity (IEC 61508, IEC 61513, IEC 61226)
Systems Engineering Methodologies
Requirements Management Tools (e.g. IBM DOORS, Polarion)
Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) Tools (Capella preferred)
Problem-Solving Skills
Electrical Engineering Experience

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Control & Instrumentation (C&I) - Design Engineer role. Highlight your relevant experience in control systems design and any specific projects that align with the energy sector. We want to see how your skills fit into our mission!

Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t hold back on showcasing your technical expertise! Mention your familiarity with industry standards like IEC 61508 and your experience with tools like IBM DOORS or Capella. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their knowledge of control theory and system lifecycle activities.

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make your achievements stand out. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our company culture there, which can help you tailor your application even further!

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

✨Know Your C&I Systems

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Control & Instrumentation systems, especially within the energy sector. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how they relate to the requirements outlined in the job description.

✨Understand Functional Specifications

Familiarise yourself with functional design specifications and be ready to explain how you translate high-level requirements into structured system designs. Think of examples where you've successfully done this in past roles.

✨Collaborate Like a Pro

Since collaboration is key in this role, think of instances where you've worked closely with multidisciplinary teams. Be ready to share how you ensured alignment across different engineering disciplines and what tools you used to facilitate communication.

✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare to discuss your approach to problem-solving, particularly in safety-critical environments. Have a couple of examples ready that demonstrate your structured and logical approach to tackling complex challenges in C&I design.

Control & Instrumentation (C&I) - Design Engineer in Manchester
ALTEN LTD - UK
Location: Manchester

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