Control & Instrumentation Project Engineer

We are looking to recruit a Control & Instrumentation Project Engineer to act as the C&I Project Engineer within the OPA Major Projects team, on projects associated with infrastructure which is operated and maintained by the OPA. Ensuring that all aspects of work are executed on time, to budget and in full compliance with company standards and UK / European legislation. The successful candidate will be the discipline engineer on typical Large Fuel infrastructure projects, working as an intelligent client with contractors to deliver the required works. They will be defining project scope, and where possible developing technical solutions for development by third party contractors, for either the FEED, detailed design, or construction phases of the project. With responsibility for a number of C&I and project engineering deliverables on simultaneous projects, the successful candidate will undertake engineering design and management activities, and oversee professional contract engineers or consultant companies, who conduct engineering activities on behalf of the OPA.

There will be a need to build strong credible working relationships with all internal stakeholders and in particular HSEQ, the C&I Technical Authority, as well as external stakeholders including our O&M Contractor, HSE, EA and our MOD Sponsors. Major projects are located across England and internationally hence there is a requirement for travel dependent on project location, therefore a full (preferably clean) UK driving licence and valid passport are essential for this role.

Responsibilities:

• Be a key contributor to the improvement of project management systems, procedures, and workflows within Major Projects.
• Act as OPA Control and Instrumentation Engineering lead providing leadership and guidance on Control and Instrumentation activities associated with Major Projects.
• Be responsible for all stages of the development and implementation of a number of Control & Instrumentation Engineering Projects within Engineering or delivery bespoke Projects or large project elements, this will include scope of works, project plans, specifications and cost estimates ensuring that all projects are delivered in line with company standards and relevant UK / European legislation.
• Interface with the OPA Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Technical Authorities to ensure project delivery is aligned to Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Technical Authority requirements.
• Monitor progress, resource and expenditure of projects carried out by contractors to ensure compliance to the OPA strategic plan. This will include inspection and possible defect rectification of completed projects.
• Develop EC&I project scopes of works at concept, FEED, and detailed design level.
• If required contribute to attending site acceptance testing (SAT) for project deliverables / equipment. This will likely require representation at site visits and external / Internal meetings.
• If required contribute to attending Factory acceptance testing (FAT) for project deliverables / equipment. This will likely require representation at site visits and external meetings.
• Completing quality assurance on all control and instrumentation components and projects and write technical reports.
• Liaise with Operations and other stakeholders to define maintenance or operational windows.
• Identify and select suppliers in line with relevant legislation and Agency procedures.
• Apply the MOC process for the life cycle of the project.
• Working knowledge of COMAH, MOC, and CDM regulations.
• Manage documentation/data/records within document management systems.
• Ad hoc projects and tasks on other projects as approved by the Line Manager.

The candidate:

Ideally degree qualified in Electrical or Control and Instrumentation Engineering (or Electrical Engineering Craft Apprenticeship with HNC / HND) with project management experience, preferably within a COMAH regulated industry / operation. Chartered or working towards chartership with the relevant professional association.

Knowledge/Skills:

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience as a disciplined Control and Instrumentation Engineer, working with onsite Engineering Projects Teams and contractors, to ensure modifications to equipment or the construction of new assets within an industrial environment are fully executed safely and to the required standards.
• Experience around coordination and delivery of multiple Control and Instrumentation Engineering Projects monitoring progress against time and budget.
• Knowledge around Control and Instrumentation Engineering design in a hazardous area process plant environment and types of protection.
• Extensive experience of leading and overseeing professional contract engineers, engaged in the delivery of complex Electrical Engineering projects within demanding time quality and cost constraints.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, regulation, design codes, technical standards, and approved codes of practice around Electrical Engineering (e.g. BS7671, ATEX, DSEAR, IEC) but also to include MOC (Management of Change), COMAH and CDM.
• Functional Safety Experience (desirable).
• Understanding of Safety Lifecycle requirements of IEC 61508 / 61511 including verification of design / installation and system certification.
• Provide planning budget forecasts for Control and Instrumentation Engineering Projects ready for submission to the leadership Team for approval.
• Strong understanding of engineering principles associated with Control and Instrumentation engineering design.
• Experience in the successful construction phase of projects and programmes across all sectors.
• Understanding of the design development of Projects (e.g. HAZOP / HAZID and LOPA Process).
• NEC Contractor Awareness (Preferable NEC 3).
• Basic awareness of BREAM and BIM.

Closing date: 15 February 2026

Stage 1 Interviews: 26 February 2026 (by Teams)

Stage 2 Interviews: 5 March 2026 (Face to Face)