Senior Electrical, Control & Instrumentation Engineer

Leading Engineering Solutions Provider | Defence Sector | Reading-based | Hybrid | Long-term Contract | Outside IR35 | Current SC Clearance Required

The Opportunity

We're recruiting a Senior Electrical, Control & Instrumentation (EC&I) Engineer for a leading engineering solutions provider delivering services to a leading defence operator. You'll deliver EC&I technical expertise across multiple projects, working on strategically important defence programmes.

Contract Details: Outside IR35 | Competitive rate | Reading-based | 2 days per fortnight in office, remaining days remote/flexible | 9-day working fortnight | Long-term contract | Current SC clearance essential

MUST HAVE: Functional Safety certification and experience. This is a senior technical role for an experienced EC&I engineer with proven functional safety expertise. You'll deliver complex EC&I design and technical solutions on defence programmes, supporting a leading operator's critical infrastructure and systems.

What You'll Be Doing

EC&I Design & Technical Delivery

• Deliver electrical, control and instrumentation design across defence projects
• Produce electrical design documentation including SLDs, cable schedules, equipment specifications, schematics and control system designs
• Develop control system architectures and functional specifications
• Design safety-critical systems and instrumentation

Functional Safety Leadership

• Essential: Lead functional safety activities on defence programmes
• Conduct Functional Safety Assessments (FSAs) and Safety Integrity Level (SIL) determinations
• Develop Safety Instrumented System (SIS) designs and specifications
• Ensure compliance with functional safety standards (IEC 61508, IEC 61511)
• Manage functional safety documentation and assurance

Technical Compliance & Quality

• Ensure all designs comply with defence standards and regulatory requirements
• Maintain rigorous quality assurance and technical documentation
• Conduct design reviews and technical approvals
• Support compliance with client specifications and security requirements

Equipment & Procurement

• Specify electrical and control equipment for defence applications
• Review supplier quotations and technical proposals
• Manage procurement of control systems and instrumentation
• Ensure compliance with defence standards and certification requirements

Commissioning & Support

• Support commissioning activities on defence programmes
• Provide technical support to construction and operations teams
• Resolve technical issues during implementation and handover

About You

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• MUST HAVE: Current SC (Security Clearance) — you must hold valid, current clearance
• MUST HAVE: Functional Safety certification and proven experience — demonstrated background in functional safety on defence or similar regulated programmes
• Degree in electrical, electronic, control or related engineering discipline
• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status with a relevant professional body, or clear evidence of working towards professional registration
• Minimum 10+ years' EC&I engineering experience on defence or similarly regulated infrastructure projects
• Expert-level knowledge of:
  • Control system design and implementation
  • Functional Safety standards (IEC 61508, IEC 61511)
  • Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS)
  • Electrical power systems and distribution
  • Instrumentation and measurement systems
  • Defence standards and specifications
• Strong understanding of:
  • Defence sector security requirements and procedures
  • UK legislation and standards for defence applications
  • Risk identification and management
  • HSE requirements for electrical and control systems
• Excellent communication skills — confident engaging with clients and technical teams
• Quality and compliance focused — meticulous approach to design and documentation
• Highly motivated — takes ownership of technical delivery

Desirable

• Extensive defence sector experience
• Track record on critical infrastructure or safety-critical systems
• Experience with digital control systems and automation
• Familiarity with BIM and integrated design management
• Commissioning experience
• Mentoring or team leadership experience

Security Clearance

Current SC (Security Clearance) is essential. Only candidates holding valid, current clearance will be considered.

The Role in Practice

You'll be based in Reading, with minimum 2 days per fortnight in office and flexible working for remaining time. You'll report to senior engineering leadership and work on defence programmes for a leading operator.

This is hands-on technical work on strategically important defence projects. You'll be delivering EC&I design, leading functional safety activities, and ensuring compliance with defence standards. Your functional safety expertise and technical judgment directly impact how critical systems are designed and implemented.