EC&I Systems Engineer

NES Group Ltd; North East; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

NES Fircroft is seeking an experienced EC&I PLC Systems Engineer to join our Oxford-based client’s engineering team. The role involves hands-on control, automation and systems engineering across process industries, taking ownership from requirements through testing, commissioning and start-up.

You will work across client projects, collaborating with engineering teams and customers while managing your own work packages and ensuring safety, quality and documentation standards are met.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in EC&I, Electrical/Electronic Engineering or related discipline.
• Relevant experience in control systems, automation or EC&I engineering.
• Experience in process industries (chemical, petrochemical, energy, pharma, food).

Responsibilities

• Own and deliver control and automation work packages from concept to FAT, SAT and site commissioning.
• Compile and maintain engineering documentation (URS, FDS/SDS, Cause & Effect, I/O lists, P&ID).
• Configure and program PLC/DCS/SCADA/HMI systems (Siemens PCS7, TIA Portal, Rockwell).
• Conduct system integration and interface definition across electrical, instrumentation and IT/OT networks.
• Plan FAT, SAT, commissioning and plant start-up activities.
• Lead fault-finding, optimization and troubleshooting on customer sites.
• Apply IEC 61511/61508 and ATEX/DSEAR safety standards.
• Contribute to HAZOP/LOPA and engineering reviews.
• Provide progress updates and support change control.

Skills

EC&I Engineering

PLC/DCS experience

Process industries

UK travel

Autonomy

Education

Electrical/EC&I Engineering degree

Tools

Siemens PCS 7

TIA Portal

Rockwell/Allen-Bradley

WinCC

Aveva

iFIX

Job description

EC&I- PLC Systems Engineer

Location: Teesside / Middlesbrough

Working Pattern: Primarily office and site-based, with UK travel

Contract: Permanent

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced EC&I Systems Engineer to join a growing engineering business delivering electrical, control, instrumentation and automation solutions across the process industries.

This is a hands‑on engineering role suited to someone with a strong controls, automation and systems engineering background who is comfortable taking ownership of projects from initial requirements and design through to testing, commissioning and start-up.

You will work across a variety of client projects, collaborating with engineering teams and customers while having the autonomy to manage your own work packages.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and deliver control and automation work packages from concept and design through to FAT, SAT and site commissioning.
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation including URS, FDS/SDS, Cause & Effect, I/O lists, P&ID mark-ups, cable schedules, loop diagrams and test documentation.
• Configure and program PLC, DCS and SCADA/HMI systems, with experience of platforms such as Siemens PCS 7, TIA Portal, Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, WinCC, Aveva or iFIX highly relevant.
• Carry out system integration, panel specification and interface definition across electrical, instrumentation and IT/OT networks.
• Plan and execute FAT, SAT, commissioning, loop checks and plant start-up activities.
• Lead fault-finding, optimisation and troubleshooting on customer sites.
• Apply relevant functional safety and industry standards, including IEC 61511/61508 and ATEX/DSEAR.
• Contribute to HAZOP/LOPA activities and wider engineering reviews.
• Estimate and plan engineering tasks, provide progress updates and support change control.
• Where required, contribute technical input to proposals and customer discussions.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and clients while maintaining high standards of safety, quality and technical documentation.

About You

We are looking for someone with:

• A degree or equivalent experience in EC&I, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Control & Automation or a related discipline.
• Relevant experience within control systems, automation or EC&I engineering.
• Experience within process industries, such as chemical, petrochemical, energy, pharmaceutical, food or similar environments.
• Hands‑on experience with at least one major PLC/DCS platform, ideally Siemens or Rockwell.
• Strong understanding of EC&I engineering deliverables and the full project lifecycle.
• Proven experience of commissioning, FAT/SAT and start-up within live plant environments.
• Working knowledge of relevant engineering and safety standards.
• The ability to work independently while also contributing effectively within a small engineering team.
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to customer sites across the UK.
• The right to work in the UK.

Desirable Experience

The following would be advantageous:

• Experience across multiple PLC/DCS vendor platforms.
• Knowledge of OT networking and cybersecurity.
• Panel design/specification experience.
• Familiarity with EPLAN or AutoCAD.
• Exposure to functional safety activities, including SIL determination and verification.
• Experience within regulated industries and familiarity with GAMP 5.
• Previous experience managing contractors or leading site activities.
• Site safety passports such as CCNSG.

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market‑leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.