EC&I Engineer
Eccles
Monday to Friday – Flexible Time
From £60,000 to £70,000
My client, who is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, polymer additives and precursors, is looking for an experienced EC&I Engineer to join their team.
The Role
Provide Electrical, Control & Instrumentation engineering expertise to support plant operations, new projects, and ongoing maintenance in a highly regulated top‑tier COMAH environment. The role is instrumental in ensuring the reliability, safety, and compliance of all EC&I systems on site, aligning with business objectives and HSE requirements.
Responsibilities
EC&I Technical Leadership
- Serve as the site’s Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Electrical, Control, and Instrumentation matters, ensuring safe, reliable, and compliant operation of plant equipment.
- Develop and maintain site EC&I standards (including ATEX, DSEAR, SIL, functional safety, etc.) in alignment with industry best practices and legal requirements.
Project Management
- Lead or support EC&I projects from concept through commissioning, ensuring on‑time, on‑budget delivery.
- Coordinate with internal teams (Operations, Maintenance, HSE, etc.) and external contractors to define scopes of work, manage schedules, and track budgets.
- Oversee design, installation, and commissioning of new EC&I systems, ensuring compliance with COMAH and other regulatory requirements.
Maintenance & Reliability
- Provide technical guidance to maintenance teams on preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance of electrical and instrumentation assets.
- Support day‑to‑day troubleshooting and fault‑finding across a range of systems (e.g., PLCs, DCS, safety instrumented systems, field instrumentation).
- Drive reliability improvements through root cause analysis (RCA) and continuous improvement methodologies.
COMAH & Regulatory Compliance
- Collaborate closely with the HSE team to ensure EC&I operations and projects satisfy COMAH, ATEX, DSEAR, and other relevant regulations.
- Maintain and develop safety instrumented systems (SIS), ensuring proper documentation, proof testing, and compliance with IEC 61508 / 61511.
- Participate in COMAH‑related activities, including audits, hazard studies (HAZOP / LOPA), safety reports, and regulator inspections.
Standards & Documentation
- Establish and maintain EC&I technical documentation (e.g., drawings, loop diagrams, schematics) and ensure compliance with site change control procedures.
- Implement standards for the management of safety‑critical systems, ensuring appropriate performance levels (e.g., SIL determinations) are met.
- Support development of site procedures, work instructions, and best practices in line with company policies and legal obligations.
Continuous Improvement
- Identify and implement opportunities to enhance efficiency, reduce cost, and improve safety within EC&I disciplines.
- Keep abreast of emerging technologies, standards, and best practices; recommend upgrades and innovations to maintain a competitive edge.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement, sharing knowledge, and mentoring other engineering team members.
Contractor & Stakeholder Management
- Manage EC&I contractors and vendors, including selection, contract negotiation, and oversight of quality control.
- Liaise with external stakeholders (e.g., HSE, Environment Agency) and represent the site’s EC&I interests in audits or inspections.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders such as Operations, R&D, QA, and other engineering functions to align priorities and deliver effective solutions.
Budget & Resource Management
- Support the Engineering Manager in developing and managing budgets related to EC&I projects and maintenance activities.
- Monitor spending against budget, ensuring cost‑effective solutions without compromising safety or performance.
- Proactively plan resource needs and schedule work to minimize downtime and disruption to production.
The Candidate
Education & Certifications
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical, Control & Instrumentation Engineering (or a related discipline).
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) status preferred or working towards it.
Experience
- 5–10 years of EC&I engineering experience within a high‑hazard chemical, petrochemical, or similar industrial environment.
- Proven track record in executing and commissioning EC&I projects, including cost control and contractor management.
- Familiarity with COMAH regulations and major hazard site requirements.
Technical Skills
- Strong knowledge of process control systems (PLC, DCS), instrumentation calibration, loop checking, and functional safety (IEC 61508 / 61511).
- Understanding of electrical distribution systems (Low / High Voltage), BS7671 wiring regulations, and relevant directives.
- Proficiency in computer‑aided design (CAD) software and maintenance systems (e.g., CMMS / Agility).
Regulatory & Compliance Knowledge
- Working knowledge of DSEAR, ATEX, and other UK / EU legislation affecting chemical manufacturing sites.
- Experience with hazard assessments (e.g., HAZOP, LOPA) and risk evaluation for electrical and instrumentation systems.
- Competent in safety integrity level (SIL) verification and validation.
Soft Skills & Behaviours
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; able to engage effectively with stakeholders from shop‑floor technicians to senior leadership.
- Effective problem‑solving and analytical thinking, capable of balancing day‑to‑day reactive tasks with long‑term project objectives.
- Strong organisational skills to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and complex initiatives.
- Resilient, adaptable, and collaborative under pressure, with a commitment to continuous improvement.
Benefits
- Total Rewards Program
- 401(K) Savings Plan
- Medical and Prescription Drug Benefits
- Life Insurance and Disability
- Voluntary Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)Wellness Services
- Online Coaching Programs
- 26 days holidays
- Tuition Reimbursement
Please contact Marie Brisson at Winsearch UK for further information – marie.brisson@winsearch.uk