Control Systems Project Manager

NRL Ltd; Coalville; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

NRL Ltd in the United Kingdom seeks an experienced Control Systems Project Manager to lead end-to-end delivery of complex control and automation projects in a highly regulated environment.

Based in Warrington or Cumbria with hybrid working, you will own scope, schedule and budget, coordinating multi-disciplinary teams to ensure safe, on-time delivery for critical nuclear infrastructure programs.

Qualifications

• Experience managing technical or engineering projects in complex environments.
• Proven track record delivering to scope, schedule, cost and quality targets.
• Strong understanding of control systems engineering and delivery lifecycles.
• Proficient planning, forecasting and reporting using MS Project or Primavera P6.
• Commercial awareness with change, risk, and procurement experience.
• Excellent stakeholder management and leadership of multidisciplinary teams.
• Nuclear sector or other highly regulated industry experience.
• Experience with PLC, SCADA, DCS or similar automation systems.
• Familiarity with NEC contracts and collaborative delivery models.
• Experience engaging with clients such as Sellafield or similar frameworks.
• APM Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) or equivalent recognition.

Responsibilities

• Lead control systems projects from initiation through to completion.
• Coordinate engineering, project controls, quality, commercial and supply chain disciplines.
• Maintain baselines for cost, schedule and risk and manage changes.
• Provide visible project leadership and clear accountability.
• Manage project documentation, reporting and client communications.
• Identify and mitigate risks and drive continuous improvement.
• Build and maintain stakeholder relationships across disciplines.
• Promote safety and governance culture and lead assurance activities.

Skills

Control systems

Project management

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Forecasting

Budget control

Change management

Multidisciplinary leadership

Industrial automation

Nuclear/regulatory experience

Education

APM Chartered Project Professional (ChPP)

Tools

Microsoft Project

Primavera P6

Job description

We’re looking for an experienced Control Systems Project Manager or Senior Project Manager to lead the end-to-end delivery of complex control and automation projects within the nuclear sector. Based in Warrington or Cumbria, the ideal candidate will take full ownership of scope, schedule, and budget, delivering robust technical solutions in a highly regulated environment.

Location and Working Pattern

Warrington or Cumbria – hybrid working, typically 2–3 days per week in the office, subject to project requirements. UK travel may be required at key project stages, including client meetings, testing, and commissioning.

Client Overview

Our client is a leading engineering organisation delivering safety-critical control and automation systems within the nuclear industry. They are known for their commitment to technical excellence, safety, and performance, with a collaborative culture that values integrity and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Lead control systems projects from initiation through to completion, ensuring safe, on-time, and quality delivery.
• Integrate engineering, project controls, quality, commercial, and supply chain disciplines to achieve agreed outcomes.
• Maintain baselines for cost, schedule, and risk, and ensure proactive control against change and performance deviations.
• Provide visible project leadership, fostering clear accountability and effective decision-making.
• Manage project documentation, reporting, and client communications with accuracy and transparency.
• Identify and mitigate risks, incorporating lessons learned and continuous improvement practices.
• Build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships, balancing safety, quality, and commercial considerations.
• Promote a strong safety and governance culture, leading assurance and review activities as required.

Must‑have Requirements

• Proven experience managing technical or engineering projects in a complex project environment.
• Track record delivering against scope, schedule, cost, and quality targets.
• Strong understanding of control systems engineering and delivery lifecycles.
• Excellent project planning, forecasting, and reporting capability using tools such as Microsoft Project or Primavera P6.
• Commercial awareness and proven experience managing change, risk, and procurement interfaces.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in the nuclear sector or another highly regulated industry.
• Knowledge of PLC, SCADA, DCS, or other industrial automation systems.
• Familiarity with NEC contracts and collaborative engineering delivery models.
• Experience engaging with clients such as Sellafield or similar assurance frameworks.
• APM Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) or equivalent professional recognition.

Additional Information

This role offers hybrid working and flexible arrangements to support work‑life balance. The position is available on a contract basis (inside IR35). Due to the nature of this role being on a national security facility, we can only accommodate applications from UK Nationals.

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