Control Systems Engineer - Submarines

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Control Systems Engineer with our Submarines business in Derby. As a Control Systems Engineer, you will lead and drive from an architectural concept to a physical design. You will support the concept development, detailed design, testing and verification while ensuring safety is always accounted for. The Controls Systems Engineer will contribute and participate in the development, planning, implementation and adherence of policies and procedures to ensure that the activities considered during the engineering life cycle of a system design are carried out in a consistent and appropriate manner.

Why join Rolls‑Royce? At Rolls‑Royce we are proud to be a business that has truly helped shape the modern world and are committed to always being a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere. By joining Rolls‑Royce, you will have the opportunity to work on world‑class solutions, supported by a culture that believes individuality is our greatest strength, and all perspectives, experiences and backgrounds help us innovate and enable our high‑performance culture.

What You Will Be Doing

• Design and implement complex control system solutions to meet the high‑level requirements, constraints or standards.
• Work in a cross‑disciplinary environment to develop solutions for new production and experimental test facilities; understand functional requirements and performance capabilities of the system to facilitate effective system design.
• Software Development: Write complex software modules from philosophy documents or transform obsolete control systems into modern, software‑driven solutions.
• Hardware Design: Design in detail new hardware solutions from concept documents such as P&IDs, equipment schedule, etc. for new installations as well as to replace outdated control systems or upgrade existing ones.
• Problem‑Solving: Identify and rectify issues during software/hardware integration testing and support the commissioning team during equipment/software installation.
• Prepare technical reports and documentation to a standard compatible with engineering best practice.
• Be the technical support to the supply chain, including the assessment of electrical and control system components and design definition updates. Also undertake the project planning and control to ensure cost and schedule adherence.

Position Qualifications

• Ideally you should have carried out a similar role in the industrial sector and have experience with the requirements in the manufacturing facilities and/or nuclear sector.
• Hands‑on experience with industrial control systems applications and industrial IT/OT networks. Specific experience with Rockwell/Allen Bradley Control Systems is advantageous.
• Hands‑on experience of specifying and designing control system hardware including familiarity with various I/O signal type interfaces with instrumentation.
• Working knowledge of change/configuration management tools and processes, as well as experience with IT tools and software for control system design such as AutoCAD Electrical and/or E‑Plan.
• Ideally have experience with the Engineering Product/Project Lifecycle (Initial Requirements through to Disposal).
• Ideally have a broad understanding of relevant IEC standards used in control system design, such as Machinery Directive, BS7671 IET Wiring regulations, IEC 61131, IEC 61508/61511, etc.
• Proactive and self‑starting individual who can work with various disciplines across different engineering functions.
• A degree or equivalent professional accreditation in an engineering discipline, preferably related to Controls, Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation, or Software.
• Member of a professional engineering institution (e.g. The IET), and ideally working towards gaining Chartered status.

For more than 60 years Rolls‑Royce Submarines has designed, supplied and supported the nuclear propulsion plant, providing power for all UK Royal Navy nuclear submarines. Our vision is to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that shaped our history continues into our future. Our multi‑year transformation programme aims to turn Rolls‑Royce into a high‑performing, competitive, resilient and growing company. Join us, and it can be your future vision too.

Rolls‑Royce are committed to being a respectful, inclusive, and non‑discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives fuel innovation, and everyone can thrive.

As part of our selection process, candidates in certain locations may be asked to complete an online assessment, which can include cognitive and behavioural aptitude testing relevant to the role. If required, full instructions for the next steps will be provided.