Plant Layout Technical Lead
First Recruitment Group About the role
Our client, a well-known organisation specialising within the Nuclear and Energy Sector, are actively looking to hire a Plant Layout Technical Lead to work on a project based in Nottingham.
Location: Nottingham (Post Code can be provided for confirmed location)
Duration: 12 Months
Hybrid Working: 3 Days Site / 2 Days Home
Hourly Rates: Competitive Inside IR35
Provide Plant Layout technical leadership to ensure the STEP Prototype Plant (SPP) is developed as an integrated, buildable, operable, maintainable, and constructible facility. The service shall lead the integration of Mechanical, Electrical, Piping (MEP), equipment, and infrastructure layouts, ensuring that plant arrangements support safe installation, operation, inspection, maintenance, and future programme development.
The capability shall facilitate effective coordination across multidisciplinary interfaces, manage spatial integration and layout risks, and support the delivery of a coherent, plant-wide physical integration strategy that enables efficient design, construction, commissioning, and operation of the facility.
Job Requirements/Outcomes:
- A coordinated and technically robust plant layout philosophy covering routing hierarchy, spatial zoning, access requirements, design margins, and integration principles.
- Integrated plant layouts and routing solutions developed within the programme 3D model and aligned to evolving system requirements.
- Physical integration risks identified, managed, and progressively reduced as design maturity increases.
- Clash-free, constructable, maintainable, and installable plant arrangements.
- Effective resolution of multidisciplinary design interfaces.
- Layouts aligned with construction methodologies, modularisation strategies, commissioning requirements, and site constraints.
- Progressive design assurance supported through controlled layout maturation and change management.
Scope of Services:
The service shall provide Plant Layout technical authority and integration leadership across the STEP programme, establishing the philosophy, governance, standards, and assurance framework necessary to deliver an integrated, buildable, operable, and maintainable facility. The role shall provide independent technical leadership and decision-making for plant-wide physical integration, ensuring that plant layout principles, spatial allocation strategies, and integration priorities are consistently applied across all Integrated Project Teams (IPTs). Detailed engineering design and layout development shall remain the responsibility of the respective IPTs.
The service shall act as the focal point for plant-wide integration matters, providing oversight, challenge, guidance, and assurance to ensure that individual system and facility layouts collectively deliver a coherent and executable plant configuration.
Capability Expectations:
The service provider shall demonstrate extensive experience delivering plant layout, routing, and physical integration activities for large, complex engineering programmes. The provider should possess strong technical knowledge of piping layout, equipment integration, HVAC routing, constructability, modularisation, installation strategy, and maintainability principles. Experience acting as a technical authority or responsible engineer for multidisciplinary integration is essential, together with proficiency in 3D design environments and plant modelling tools.
Key Service Requirements:
- Define and maintain the integrated plant layout philosophy.
- Develop, govern, and coordinate integrated MEP layouts and routing solutions within the programme 3D model.
- Translate system and component requirements into practical physical arrangements.
- Manage plant-wide spatial allocation and integration priorities.
- Define and implement layout maturity strategies and controlled change processes.
- Ensure layout solutions support installation, commissioning, inspection, maintenance, lifting, and operational access requirements.
- Provide technical oversight of constructability, modularisation, and installation methodologies.
- Lead resolution of multidisciplinary integration conflicts.
- Facilitate design reviews and model coordination activities.
- Identify and manage physical integration risks.
- Support continuous improvement of layout methods, standards, and tools.
Your tasks
Lead plant layout design for a cutting-edge nuclear project in Nottingham.
Your profile
Extensive experience in plant layout and multidisciplinary integration required.
What's also included
Competitive hourly rates, hybrid working, and a chance to shape innovative projects.
Tech stack & ways of working
Plant Layout Technical Lead employer: First Recruitment Group
First Recruitment Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the clean water sector. Located in Peterborough, employees benefit from a supportive environment that prioritises professional growth and development, alongside competitive remuneration and benefits. Join us to make a meaningful impact on vital infrastructure projects while advancing your career in a thriving industry.
View First Recruitment Group profile
Your perspectives
Make a real impact on complex engineering programmes and enhance your technical leadership skills.
StudySmarter Expert Advice
Get Hands-On with Temporary Projects
Temporary roles are all about flexibility and quick results. Look for short-term engineering projects or gigs that local companies might need help with. You can find these on job boards like Indeed or even niche platforms like PeoplePerHour. Don't be shy to reach out directly to firms—sometimes they have needs that aren't posted yet!
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Let your friends and family know you're on the hunt for a temporary engineering role. Often, personal recommendations can get you in the door faster than any application. Share your goals and what you’re looking for through social media or casual conversations; you’d be surprised how many people might have the right connections!
Stay Sharp with Online Courses
While you're searching, keep those skills fresh! Take on some online courses related to your engineering field. Platforms like Coursera or edX can help you stay current and even get some certifications under your belt. This shows potential employers at First Recruitment Group that you’re committed to growth, making you a more appealing candidate for temporary roles.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Versatile Engineering Skills
For a temporary engineering role like this one at First Recruitment Group, make sure to showcase a broad range of your engineering skills. Talk about different projects you’ve undertaken, focusing on your problem-solving ability and adaptability—key traits for temporary positions that depend on quick integration into teams.
Be Clear About Your Availability
Since this is a temporary role, clarity is essential. In your cover letter, be upfront about your availability and how soon you can start. Employers like First Recruitment Group want to know that you can hit the ground running, so don’t shy away from mentioning your flexibility!
Tailor Your CV to Showcase Relevant Experience
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Include References from Past Employers
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How to prepare for a job interview at First Recruitment Group
Get to Grips with Your Technical Skills
Engineering roles often involve assessing your technical expertise, so be prepared to delve into your core skills. Brush up on relevant software and tools you’ve used before, as well as any engineering principles that relate to the position at First Recruitment Group. We want you to showcase your hands-on experience and problem-solving capabilities – it could be the difference between you and another candidate!
Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to tackle some practical scenarios during the interview. Whether it's a design challenge or a troubleshooting test, First Recruitment Group might want to see how you approach real-world engineering problems. Think of specific examples from your past work where you had to think on your feet and be ready to walk your interviewers through your thought process.
Show Your Adaptability in Temporary Roles
Since this is a temporary position, it’s key to demonstrate your flexibility and ability to hit the ground running. Make sure to convey your eagerness to learn and adapt quickly to the team and the specific projects at First Recruitment Group. We all know that temporary roles can be a bit of a whirlwind, so emphasise your quick learning skills and your approach to managing change.
Highlight Relevant Portfolio Projects
If you've worked on engineering projects that align with the role at First Recruitment Group, make sure to bring them up! A portfolio can be a great way to illustrate your engineering prowess. Discuss the challenges you faced, the solutions you implemented, and the results achieved – this will give the interviewers a tangible idea of what you bring to the table.
