At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead C&I engineering projects, ensuring compliance and mentoring junior engineers.
- Company: Top engineering consultancy focused on nuclear infrastructure.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid working, long-term contract, and professional growth.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements with opportunities for career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in nuclear projects while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Must have nuclear experience and a relevant engineering degree.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Salary: Competitive rate - outside of scope of IR35
Job Reference: JOB-90333
Published: 19-05-2026
Duration: 12 months+
Expiry Date: 16-06-2026
Country: United Kingdom
We're recruiting a Senior Control & Instrumentation Engineer to provide technical leadership and deliver high-quality engineering solutions across projects and proposals. You'll be responsible for C&I technical delivery throughout the full project lifecycle, ensuring compliance with standards, and mentoring junior engineers.
Contract Details:
- Outside IR35
- Competitive rate
- Hybrid working
- Long-term contract
- SC clearance required (ability to obtain)
MUST HAVE: Nuclear industry experience. This is a senior technical role for an experienced C&I engineer with proven expertise in nuclear or similar regulated infrastructure. You'll lead C&I workstreams, drive technical delivery, review supplier quotations, support functional safety activities, and support engineering teams. You'll have the technical authority to approve engineering deliverables and drive technical excellence across projects.
What You'll Be Doing:
- C&I Technical Leadership & Design
- Provide technical input for the instrumentation discipline across projects and proposals
- Prepare, check and approve C&I engineering documentation throughout project lifecycle
- Develop control system designs from concept through to commissioning
- Undertake software qualification of SMART devices and PLCs
- Carry out Functional Safety activities in line with industry standards (IEC 61508, IEC 61511)
- Support full lifecycle delivery of control and protection systems
- Ensure designs are safe, practical, cost-effective and compliant with all applicable standards
- Equipment & Procurement Management
- Prepare equipment and material requisitions for control systems, safety systems, analyser houses, field instrumentation and associated equipment
- Review supplier quotations and produce detailed technical bid assessments
- Manage supplier relationships and coordinate procurement
- Ensure all equipment meets ATEX, PED, Low Voltage Directive, Machinery Directive and EMC compliance
- Develop installation scopes of work for construction teams
- Support project execution and installation planning
- Provide commissioning support and witness testing
- Support handover and operational readiness
- Compliance & Standards
- Ensure compliance with all applicable national and international codes and legislation
- Maintain rigorous quality assurance and technical documentation
- Ensure knowledge of hazardous area installations and explosive atmosphere requirements
- Support CE marking compliance and regulatory requirements
- Contribute to risk identification, assessment and management
About You:
- Essential Qualifications & Experience
- MUST HAVE: Nuclear industry experience - demonstrated, recent background on nuclear or similar regulated infrastructure projects
- Degree in relevant engineering discipline (Electrical, Electronic, or Control Engineering) - Apprenticeships with significant professional experience considered
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status, or demonstrable clear progress toward professional registration
- Minimum 10+ years' experience in C&I engineering role within nuclear, Oil & Gas, or similar regulated sectors
- Expert-level knowledge of control system design and implementation, SMART devices and PLC programming and qualification, Functional Safety standards (IEC 61508, IEC 61511), process instrumentation and field devices, safety instrumented systems, analyser selection and integration
- Strong understanding of design practices and installation requirements across process industries, UK legislation, standards and regulatory requirements for C&I systems, hazardous area installations and explosive atmosphere requirements (ATEX), CE marking requirements (ATEX, PED, Low Voltage Directive, Machinery Directive, EMC), risk identification, assessment and management, HSE requirements for C&I systems
- Leadership capability — proven ability to mentor and develop junior engineers
- Excellent communication skills — confident engaging with clients, colleagues and stakeholders
- Quality and compliance focused — meticulous approach to engineering documentation and regulatory compliance
- Highly motivated — takes ownership of technical delivery and team development
- Experience on major nuclear infrastructure projects
- Track record of leading C&I teams on complex programmes
- Familiarity with BIM and integrated design management
- Knowledge of process control and automation systems
- Experience with digital/smart instrumentation
- Commissioning and factory acceptance testing experience
- Mentoring and developing junior engineers
- Experience on early contractor involvement or design-build projects
Security Clearance: You must be able to obtain SC (Security Clearance) to work on nuclear infrastructure projects. BPSS is the minimum starting point.
The Role in Practice: You’ll work on a hybrid basis with flexible working arrangements. You’ll be responsible for C&I technical leadership across multiple projects, managing design quality, compliance, team performance and stakeholder engagement. You’ll report to senior engineering leadership and collaborate with civil, electrical, mechanical and other engineering disciplines. This is hands-on technical work where your C&I expertise and leadership directly impact project quality and delivery. You’ll be responsible for engineering approvals, supplier management, functional safety delivery, and mentor development. Your technical decisions on control system approach, equipment selection and design strategy shape how projects are executed.
Why This Role: You’ll be working for a leading engineering consultancy on strategically important nuclear infrastructure projects. This is professional C&I engineering at senior level, where your nuclear experience and technical expertise are genuinely valued. You’ll be working with experienced teams on complex, regulated programmes where instrumentation and control systems are critical to safety and performance. The role offers competitive rates for senior C&I engineers with proven nuclear background, long-term engagement on significant projects, and genuine technical authority and leadership opportunities. You’ll have scope to develop deeper expertise in nuclear C&I systems whilst mentoring the next generation of engineers.
Senior C&I Engineer in Manchester employer: Scantec Personnel Limited
Join a leading engineering consultancy that values your expertise in the nuclear sector, offering a hybrid working environment that promotes work-life balance. With competitive rates and long-term contract opportunities, you'll have the chance to lead technical delivery on critical projects while mentoring junior engineers, ensuring both personal and professional growth in a collaborative and innovative culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior C&I Engineer in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the nuclear and engineering sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and leadership skills. Be ready to discuss your past projects and how you’ve tackled challenges in C&I engineering. Practice common interview questions with a friend to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your best work in control systems and instrumentation. Include case studies or examples of successful projects, especially those related to nuclear infrastructure. This will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented engineers like you. Keep an eye on our job listings and submit your application directly to increase your chances of landing that dream role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior C&I Engineer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior C&I Engineer role. Highlight your nuclear industry experience and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your technical leadership and compliance knowledge in C&I engineering.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:In your application, don't shy away from showcasing your technical skills. Talk about your experience with control system design, functional safety standards, and any mentoring you've done. We love seeing candidates who can lead and inspire others!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scantec Personnel Limited
✨Know Your Nuclear Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your nuclear industry knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, especially those involving control and instrumentation systems. Highlight your experience with compliance standards like IEC 61508 and IEC 61511, as these will be crucial in the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior C&I Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor junior engineers. Prepare examples of how you've successfully guided teams in past projects, focusing on technical delivery and compliance. This will show that you're not just technically proficient but also a great leader.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect in-depth technical questions about control system design, SMART devices, and functional safety activities. Review your past experiences and be ready to explain your thought process in tackling complex engineering challenges. This will help you stand out as a knowledgeable candidate.
✨Understand the Role's Impact
Be prepared to discuss how your role as a Senior C&I Engineer will impact project quality and delivery. Think about how your decisions on equipment selection and design strategy can shape project outcomes. Showing that you understand the bigger picture will impress your interviewers.
