At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design and management of Control & Instrumentation for a nuclear FEED project.
- Company: Leading engineering consultancy with a focus on innovative nuclear projects.
- Benefits: Competitive rates, hybrid working, long-term contract, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to mentor junior engineers and drive significant project delivery.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the nuclear sector while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering, 12+ years C&I experience, and chartered status preferred.
The predicted salary is between 51750 - 63250 £ per year.
We're recruiting a Principal Control & Instrumentation Engineer to deliver key design elements on an exciting Front End Engineering Design (FEED) project in the nuclear sector. You'll combine technical leadership with hands-on design production, managing technical resources, driving project delivery, ensuring compliance and quality, and acting as the contact for the C&I discipline team and end client.
Contract Details: Outside IR35 | Competitive rate | Hybrid working | Long-term contract | Nuclear FEED project
This is a senior technical role. You'll execute hands-on design work, and interface with delivery teams, clients and stakeholders. You'll drive progress on complex technical challenges, maintain quality standards, and ensure projects deliver on company and client promises. You're equally comfortable designing safety systems and mentoring engineers as you are managing project budgets and risk.
What You'll Be Doing
- Technical Design Delivery
- Lead and execute key elements of C&I design across the full engineering lifecycle (tendering through close-out)
- Specify and design Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) in line with IEC 61511 and IEC 61508
- Conduct Safety Integrity Level (SIL) assessments and functional safety case development
- Produce control system designs, instrumentation specifications, P&IDs and technical documentation
- Check, approve and ensure quality of all C&I design deliverables
- Ensure all designs meet regulatory requirements, standards and client specifications
- Support technical problem-solving and resolution on complex challenges
- Project & Team Leadership
- Act as single point of contact for C&I discipline team on projects
- Hold budget and resource responsibility for allocated scope
- Line manage team members and drive career development
- Provide technical mentoring and support to junior engineers
- Manage discipline workload, schedules and delivery
- Interface with project management, delivery teams and clients
- Project Management & Governance
- Manage project reporting (KPIs, progress, change management)
- Track and report on risk/opportunity registers
- Support carbon tracking and sustainability reporting
- Participate in change control processes
- Maintain project compliance and quality standards
- Ensure regulatory and standards compliance
- Technical Compliance & Regulatory
- Ensure competence in ATEX requirements and potentially explosive area installation
- Manage CE marking compliance (ATEX, PED, Low Voltage Directive, Machinery Directive, EMC)
- Support CDM regulations and design responsibility requirements
- Contribute to risk identification, quantification and management
- Maintain HSE awareness and safety compliance across work
- Stakeholder & Client Management
- Manage technical interfaces between delivery teams
- Engage with clients on technical and project matters
- Communicate progress, risks and issues to project leadership
- Collaborate across disciplines to drive integrated delivery
- Build and maintain strong client relationships
About You
- Essential Qualifications & Experience
- Degree in relevant engineering discipline (ideally 2:1 or better) or equivalent professional experience
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status with a relevant professional body
- Valid safety passport or equivalent industry qualification
- Minimum 12+ years' C&I engineering experience across full project lifecycle
- Extensive engineering design experience from tendering through to close-out and handover
- Competence in Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) design to IEC 61511 and IEC 61508
- Proven line management and mentoring experience with demonstrated ability to drive career development
- Expert-level knowledge of:
- Control system design and specifications
- Safety Instrumented Systems and functional safety
- ATEX and potentially explosive area requirements
- CE marking compliance and regulatory requirements
- UK regulatory framework and CDM regulations
- Industry standards and best practice
- Proven ability to:
- Deliver high-quality technical design work
- Lead and manage engineering teams
- Manage budgets and resources effectively
- Drive projects and resolve complex technical challenges
- Balance hands-on delivery with management responsibilities
- Produce and interpret project KPIs and reporting data
- Strong organisation and time-management skills
- Excellent communication skills - confident engaging with teams, clients and stakeholders
- Collaborative approach - comfortable working across disciplines and functions
- Highly motivated - takes ownership of delivery, quality and team development
Desirable
- Track record on nuclear sector projects
- Experience on FEED (Front End Engineering Design) projects
- Experience on major infrastructure or process plant projects
- Experience in oil & gas, chemicals, water or similar sectors
- Knowledge of safety-critical system design and assurance
- Experience with risk and opportunity management
- Familiarity with BIM and integrated project delivery
- Understanding of carbon tracking and sustainability in design
- Commercial awareness and project margin management
The Role in Practice
You'll take technical and management responsibility for C&I scope on assigned projects. Day-to-day activities combine design production (specifications, calculations, drawings, compliance assessments), team management (mentoring, work allocation, performance), and project management (reporting, budgets, risk management, client engagement).
You'll report to senior project leadership and work collaboratively across engineering disciplines, construction teams, and client organisations. You'll be the technical authority on C&I matters whilst also responsible for team capability, project performance and commercial delivery.
This is a demanding role that requires equal competence in technical delivery and people/project management. The right person thrives on both the technical challenge and the responsibility of leading delivery and developing talent.
Why This Role
You'll be working on an exciting FEED project in the nuclear sector - strategically important work at a critical stage of major infrastructure development. This is senior C&I engineering where your technical expertise, project management capability and leadership skills are genuinely valued. You'll have scope for progression, responsibility for significant scope and budgets, and the opportunity to support the next generation of C&I engineers on a major national infrastructure programme.
The role offers competitive rates for principal engineers with proven project delivery track record, long-term engagement on a major nuclear FEED project, hybrid working flexibility, genuine technical authority and management responsibility, and career development opportunities on critical infrastructure.
Principal C&I Engineer in Chester employer: Scantec
Scantec is an excellent employer, offering competitive pay rates and additional allowances for the Industrial Plater role in Hull. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we foster a supportive work culture that values teamwork and safety, ensuring our employees thrive in a dynamic industrial environment. The rotational shift pattern allows for a balanced work-life schedule, making it an attractive opportunity for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal C&I Engineer in Chester
✨Get Involved in Control Systems Meetups
Engage with local control systems engineering groups or attend industry-specific meetups. It's a great way to connect with professionals in the field, learn about new projects, and even hear about short-term roles before they're advertised!
✨Showcase Your Skills Online
Create a portfolio that highlights your projects and expertise in control systems engineering. Whether it's through GitHub for code projects or a personal website detailing your experience, showcasing your work makes you more visible to those seeking temporary hires like us at Scantec.
✨Utilise Professional Communities
Join online forums and communities specifically focused on control systems engineering. Engaging with others in the industry can lead to knowledge sharing and potential job leads, especially for temporary roles that often rely on word-of-mouth.
✨Keep an Eye on Short-Term Projects
Look for companies that frequently take on temporary projects or contract work. Many organisations bring in engineers for specific projects, so being proactive in identifying those opportunities can give you a leg up. And of course, check our website for any openings at Scantec!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal C&I Engineer in Chester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Technical Skills:For a control systems engineering role, make sure your CV showcases your expertise in areas like automation, PLC programming, and system modelling. Include any relevant software tools you've used, such as MATLAB or Simulink, and don't forget to mention specific projects where you applied these skills!
Showcase Relevant Certifications:Temporary roles in control systems engineering often require specific certifications, like your ISO 9001 or a Smart Manufacturing certification. Mention these in your application – they can really set you apart and show that you're not just book-smart but industry-savvy too!
Emphasise Adaptability in Your Cover Letter:Since this is a temporary position, we want to see that you can hit the ground running. In your cover letter, talk about your ability to quickly adapt to new environments and work efficiently under tight deadlines. Share an example where you’ve successfully navigated a fast-paced project before!
Apply Directly Through Our Website:We love when applicants take the time to apply directly through our website. It shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Scantec. Plus, it's a lot easier for us to keep track of your application that way, so don’t hesitate to get your application in!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scantec
✨Brush Up on Your Control Theory
Make sure you're well-versed in control theory concepts and principles since they are likely to come up during the interview. We often see temp roles ask candidates to demonstrate their understanding of PID controllers and feedback loops, so be ready to discuss these in depth.
✨Showcase Your Past Projects
Since this is a temporary role, they’ll likely want to see how quickly you can adapt and contribute. Bring a portfolio of your previous work, especially any projects involving simulation tools or programming languages like MATLAB or Simulink, to showcase your skills and experience.
✨Expect Technical Scenarios
Prepare for some technical questions or case studies related to control systems. You might be asked how you would approach a specific problem or optimising a control system under certain constraints, so think through some real-life scenarios you can walk them through.
✨Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability
Since you'll be stepping into a temporary role, it's crucial to communicate your adaptability and how you work under pressure. Talk about past experiences where you had to learn quickly or adjust your methods on the fly—this will show them you're up for the challenge!
