At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the automation and control systems for next-gen naval ships.
- Company: Join Navantia UK, a pioneer in British defence and maritime innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, hybrid working, and a chance to shape the future of naval technology.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diverse experiences and offers excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of cutting-edge naval programmes and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Strong background in Control & Instrumentation and experience with complex systems.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Navantia UK is a new force in British industry, supporting the UK's defence, energy and maritime ambitions. We're doing this by creating state-of-the-art sovereign defence capabilities, investing in the UK to modernise industrial facilities, and bolstering the nation's energy security. Established in 2022, Navantia UK is a subsidiary of Navantia SA, a Spanish state-owned company with over 300 years of naval shipbuilding history. In January 2025, Navantia UK completed the acquisition of Harland & Wolff and its four historic facilities in Belfast, Appledore, Methil, and Arnish. By combining Harland & Wolff's proud heritage and facilities with Navantia's global expertise, Navantia UK is well-positioned to strengthen Britain's defence, maritime and energy industrial capabilities, supporting jobs and economic growth across the UK.
Navantia UK is seeking an experienced Senior Ship Control & Automation Engineer to lead the definition, integration and assurance of automation, control and ship systems monitoring across major naval and maritime programmes. This is a pivotal system-level role, sitting at the centre of platform architecture and digital engineering - ensuring coherence between ship design, automation suppliers and advanced simulation environments. As part of the global Navantia Group, you'll help specify and integrate novel technologies that reduce crewing, increase availability, and enable highly automated vessels of the future.
What you'll be doing:
- Developing the Control & Instrumentation (C&I) and automation strategy aligned to platform and performance goals
- Defining and owning automation architectures, standards, specifications and functional descriptions
- Acting as the technical interface between design teams and automation/platform management system suppliers
- Managing supplier deliverables, interfaces, reviews, hazard analysis and FMEAs
- Leading development of I/O lists with full traceability to requirements, P&IDs, networks and equipment
- Supporting systems engineering activities, including requirements management, verification and configuration control
- Contributing to digital twins and system simulation, including signal mapping and behavioural modelling
- Providing technical leadership, mentoring junior engineers and embedding best practice
What we're looking for:
Essential:
- Strong background in Control & Instrumentation, automation and platform management systems
- Experience specifying, integrating and assuring complex control and monitoring systems
- Proven interface management with automation and autonomy system suppliers
- Knowledge of marine systems (defence experience desirable)
- Understanding of UK defence software integrity and cyber security standards
- Degree in Control Engineering, Systems Engineering or equivalent
- Excellent leadership, communication and systems thinking capability
Desirable:
- Experience with MBSE tools, system modelling or digital twins
- Chartered Engineer or working towards chartership
- BPSS clearance required (SC for some roles)
Why join Navantia UK?
- Competitive salary and benefits
- Hybrid working (minimum 3 days on site, project dependent)
- A senior, influential role shaping ship automation strategy
- The opportunity to work on cutting-edge naval and maritime programmes
- A collaborative, inclusive culture where expertise genuinely matters
Interested? Apply with your CV (and cover letter if you wish) and help define the future of intelligent naval platforms. Navantia UK is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
We are an Opening Doors employer, committed to equal opportunity and an inclusive workplace. Our approach, shaped by our values of service, trust, excellence, agility, dedication, and you, we focus on removing barriers and recognising potential. We are committed to fairness at every stage, including providing reasonable adjustments and actively working to eliminate discrimination. We believe talent is everywhere, and by widening access to opportunity and welcoming diverse experiences, we aim to create a workplace where every person feels valued and has an equal chance.
Senior Ship Control & Automation Engineer in London employer: Navantia UK
Navantia-UK in Bristol is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment where employees can thrive. With a focus on career development and a hybrid working model, team members are empowered to influence significant maritime platform support while enjoying a competitive salary and the opportunity to collaborate with industry experts in both defence and commercial sectors.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Ship Control & Automation Engineer in London
✨Get Involved in Local Automation Meetups
We can’t stress this enough – getting your face out there in the automation and control systems community can really set you apart. Look for local meetups or workshops where you can chat with industry professionals, learn about what’s trending, and even discover hidden job gems. Who knows, you might meet someone from a company like Navantia UK!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Make sure you have a portfolio of your work ready to roll. Whether it’s academic projects, internships or personal experiments, showcase how you’ve tackled automation challenges. When you apply for the Senior Ship Control & Automation Engineer position at Navantia UK, linking your portfolio gives your application that extra oomph and demonstrates your practical knowledge.
✨Leverage Your Uni Career Services
If you’re fresh out of uni, don’t forget about your career services! Many universities have established connections with companies in the automation field. They may know when Navantia UK is looking for fresh talent or even have internships that lead to full-time positions. So, hit them up!
✨Keep an Eye on Industry Certifications
While hunting for roles, consider getting certified in relevant automation technologies. It shows dedication and gives you a leg up in the job market. Plus, many organisations offer job boards or networking events to certified professionals. This might just lead you to that coveted Senior Ship Control & Automation Engineer role at Navantia UK!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Ship Control & Automation Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for an automation-control-systems role, it’s crucial to highlight your technical skills. Whether it's your proficiency in programming languages like Python or understanding control systems, make sure your CV showcases these prominently. Don't forget to mention any specific software or tools you're experienced with – that’s music to the ears of hiring managers!
Tailor Your Projects to Automation:If you've worked on any relevant projects, especially those involving automation or control systems, make them stand out in your CV. Use a dedicated section to highlight these projects, explaining your role and the impact of your contributions. This could be the difference between getting noticed and getting overlooked!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tell us why you’re passionate about automation-control-systems! Discuss specific experiences that sparked your interest in this field. Maybe it's a university project or a previous job that truly got you hooked. We love seeing that spark! Make sure to reference how you can contribute to Navantia UK and its goals.
Quantify Your Achievements:In the world of automation, results matter. When listing your experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you improve system efficiency by a percentage? Did you reduce downtime? Putting numbers to your successes not only demonstrates your impact but also lets us see the tangible outcomes of your efforts. It makes your application pop!
How to prepare for a job interview at Navantia UK
✨Master Your Technical Knowledge
In the automation control systems field, you need to brush up on your technical know-how. Be prepared to talk about specific control systems you’ve worked with, such as PLCs or SCADA systems, and expect technical questions or even hands-on problem-solving scenarios during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Whether it's freelance projects or your academic work, come ready to showcase your portfolio of automation projects. Bring along any diagrams, code samples, or automation solutions you’ve implemented—these can really set you apart and demonstrate your applied skills to Navantia UK.
✨Understand Industry Trends
Stay updated on the latest trends in automation technologies and methodologies, like Industry 4.0 or IIoT. We'll want to discuss how these concepts may affect the role and future projects at Navantia UK, so showing that you're knowledgeable about current and emerging technologies can give you an edge.
✨Commit to Continuous Learning
As this is a full-time role, it's essential to express your eagerness for continuous improvement and learning. Share how you plan to enhance your skills and keep pace with the evolution of automation in the workforce – companies love candidates who are committed to growth and adaptability.
