Controls Systems Engineer - Small Modular Reactors in Blackburn

Location: Flexible UK (Hybrid Working)

Job Type: Permanent | Full Time

Sector: Nuclear | Control Systems | EC&I Engineering

Key Responsibilities

• Develop control system architectures, functional designs and automation strategies for nuclear facilities.
• Produce technical documentation including control philosophies, functional design specifications, logic descriptions, cause and effect diagrams and interface specifications.
• Design and configure PLC, DCS and SCADA systems to support safe and reliable plant operation.
• Develop automatic sequences, interlocks, permissives and protection functions.
• Ensure engineering solutions comply with project specifications, industry standards and regulatory requirements.

Software Development & Integration

• Configure and programme PLC and DCS platforms using recognised programming methodologies.
• Develop structured text, ladder logic, function block diagrams and sequential function charts.
• Integrate control systems with SCADA, HMI platforms, historians, field instrumentation and industrial communication networks.
• Support software lifecycle activities including configuration management, version control and change management.

Verification & Validation

• Develop verification and validation strategies for control system software.
• Prepare test specifications and support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) and commissioning activities.
• Perform peer reviews, software verification, functional testing and simulation activities.
• Ensure software testing demonstrates compliance with project requirements and safety functions.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration

• Work closely with EC&I, Mechanical, Process, Safety Case and Human Factors Engineers to deliver integrated engineering solutions.
• Participate in design reviews, hazard studies and technical workshops.
• Support clients throughout project delivery, resolving technical queries and providing engineering expertise.
• Maintain effective communication with internal teams, contractors and end clients.

Engineering Governance

• Maintain engineering configuration and software baselines throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure compliance with engineering procedures, coding standards and nuclear quality requirements.
• Apply best practice in alarm management, human-machine interfaces and system reliability.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and engineering innovation.

Essential Requirements

• Experience delivering control systems engineering projects within nuclear or another highly regulated industry such as defence, energy, pharmaceutical or process manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of PLC, DCS and SCADA system design.
• Experience developing control philosophies, logic diagrams, sequence descriptions and functional specifications.
• Ability to interpret P&IDs, process flow diagrams, safety functional requirements and engineering schematics.
• Experience programming PLC or DCS systems using structured text, ladder logic, function block diagrams or sequential function charts.
• Knowledge of software verification, validation and testing methodologies.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Desirable Experience

• Nuclear new build or decommissioning projects.
• Reactor protection systems or balance of plant control systems.
• Functional Safety and Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS).
• Cyber security for industrial control systems.
• Digital Twin technology.
• Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
• Industrial networking and communications protocols.
• Commissioning and operational support.

Knowledge of Industry Standards

• IEC 61513
• IEC 60880
• IEC 61508
• IEC 61226
• EEMUA 191
• Relevant ONR guidance and nuclear quality standards.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, Automation Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, or actively working towards professional registration, is desirable.

Security Requirements

• Successful applicants must be eligible to obtain and maintain BPSS and UK Security Check (SC) clearance.
• Applicants should also be willing to travel to UK client offices and customer sites as required.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Flexible hybrid working arrangements.
• Opportunity to work on nationally significant nuclear and defence programmes.
• Structured career progression and professional development.
• Exposure to advanced digital control technologies and automation systems.
• Support towards Chartered Engineer status.
• Payment of professional membership fees.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Competitive pension scheme.
• Employee wellbeing programme.
• Retail discounts and employee benefits platform.
• Collaborative engineering environment with opportunities to work alongside industry-leading technical specialists.

Why Apply?

The UK nuclear sector is undergoing unprecedented investment across new build, decommissioning, defence and clean energy programmes. Control Systems Engineers are at the heart of these projects, delivering the automation and safety systems that enable safe, efficient and reliable operations. This role provides the opportunity to work on technically complex programmes, develop expertise in nuclear control systems and contribute to engineering solutions that support the UK's critical national infrastructure.

Equal Opportunity

Westlakes Recruit is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates. We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive and will provide reasonable adjustments wherever required throughout the recruitment process.