We are a leading engineering organisation specialising in the delivery of complex, safety-critical control and automation systems within the Nuclear sector. We pride ourselves on engineering excellence, innovation, and delivery excellence. You’ll be joining a collaborative, supportive team where leadership is both technical and people-focused.
Role Summary
We are seeking an experienced Senior Control Systems Engineer to play a key role in the delivery of complex control and automation projects. Working as part of an integrated, multi-disciplinary team, you will take technical responsibility for the design, implementation, testing, and commissioning of PLC, HMI / SCADA-based control systems across the full project lifecycle.
This is a hands-on senior engineering role, ideal for an engineer who enjoys technical ownership, problem-solving, and mentoring others, while supporting Lead Engineers and Project Managers in delivering high-quality solutions in regulated environments.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Delivery
- Deliver detailed design, implementation, testing, and commissioning of control systems in line with project requirements.
- Take ownership of assigned control system deliverables, ensuring they are produced to a high technical and quality standard.
- Configure and develop PLC software, control philosophies, and system configurations using industry-standard platforms.
- Develop and deploy simulator applications to support the testing and verification of PLC software.
- Support integration of control systems with electrical, mechanical, and wider engineering disciplines.
Design & Documentation
- Produce comprehensive and high-quality control system documentation including:
- Functional Design Specifications
- Detailed Design Specifications
- Test Specifications
- Rebuild & Recovery Documentation
- Operation & Maintenance Manuals
- Control System Training Material
- Review and check design documentation and software produced by other engineers.
- Interpret and work from engineering design drawings including PLC/SCADA control enclosures, I/O interfacing and marshalling cubicles and operator control panels.
- Support site visits to identify constraints, risks and design impacts.
Testing, Validation & Commissioning
- Plan and execute formal verification and validation testing including internal testing (FAT), customer witness testing (CAT) and site acceptance / commissioning activities.
- Undertake fault-finding and troubleshooting during in-house testing and site activities, resolving complex technical issues efficiently.
- Ensure systems are delivered in line with safety, quality, and performance requirements.
Project & Team Support
- Work closely with the Lead Engineer and Project Manager to support delivery against programme and milestones.
- Provide accurate effort estimates for scope changes or additional works, including input to project schedules (plans).
- Contribute to and support design reviews and technical workshops.
- Interface effectively with the integrated design team, facility teams, systems engineering, and other project functions.
Compliance & Safety
- Produce reports and documentation required to comply with CDM regulations.
- Ensure control system designs align with applicable standards, client requirements, and regulatory expectations.
What We’re Looking For
Essential Criteria
- HND or Degree in Engineering (Electrical, Control Systems, Automation) or equivalent experience.
- Proven experience in the design and implementation of PLC-based control systems.
- Strong knowledge of IEC 61131 PLC programming languages, PLC hardware, software, and industrial communication protocols.
- Experience delivering projects through detailed design, implementation, testing, and commissioning.
- Demonstrated experience of formal testing, validation and verification activities, with use of simulator tools/applications where applicable.
- Strong fault-finding and troubleshooting skills across complex control systems.
- Good understanding of electrical and control system design drawings.
- Ability to work independently and as part of an integrated delivery team, often to challenging timescales.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong technical documentation capability.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively at all levels.
Desirable Experience
- Experience working in regulated or safety-critical industries such as Nuclear, MOD, or Pharmaceuticals.
- Experience with Rockwell and/or Schneider PLC and HMI/SCADA platforms.
- Knowledge of OT cyber security principles and secure-by-design control systems.
- Experience of functional safety systems.
- Awareness of Sellafield Engineering Standards.
- Professional registration (CEng, IEng) or equivalent.
- Certified training on Rockwell and/or Schneider PLC systems.
Location: Warrington / Cumbria
Salary: Competitive + Benefits
Type: Full-time, Permanent
Reports to: Lead Engineer/Project Manager
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