Electrical Controls & Instrumentation Engineer

Reed Specialist Recruitment; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Reed Specialist Recruitment is seeking an Electrical Controls & Instrumentation Engineer to support the safe, reliable operation of our engineering and manufacturing processes on site in the UK. The role emphasises maintaining and improving automation across furnaces and heavy plant, with strong emphasis on instrumentation and control systems.

You will configure and maintain PLC/DCS/SCADA platforms, participate in HAZOP/SIL/FMEA activities, and contribute to capital projects and commissioning.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in Control & Instrumentation Engineering.
• Experience with PLC, DCS and SCADA systems across heavy industry.
• Knowledge of safety and process control standards is essential.

Responsibilities

• Deliver reliable maintenance of instrumentation and control systems to maximise plant availability.
• Configure, maintain, and upgrade PLC, DCS, and SCADA across site operations.
• Support reliability-centred maintenance and predictive maintenance initiatives.

Skills

Siemens PLC

Allen-Bradley PLC

Burner Management

Distributed Control Systems

SCADA

Education

Control & Instrumentation Engineering qualification

Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Tools

Siemens STEP 7/TIA Portal

ABB Ability System

Honeywell DCS

Job description

Job Title: Electrical Controls & Instrumentation Engineer

Job Purpose

To provide specialist instrumentation and control engineering support to ensurethe safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the company’s engineering & manufacturing processes. The role focuses on maintaining and improving automation systems across assets such as furnaces and other heavy engineering plant within the site.

Key Responsibilities

1. Asset Reliability & Maintenance
   • Deliver high levels of plant availability through effective maintenance of instrumentation and control systems.
   • Maintain and calibrate field instruments (pressure, flow, temperature, level, gas analysers).
   • Support reliability‑centred maintenance (RCM) and predictive maintenance initiatives.
   • Provide rapid fault diagnosis and resolution to minimise production downtime.
2. Control Systems & Automation
   • Configure, maintain, and upgrade PLC, DCS, and SCADA systems used across company operations.
   • Common platforms: Siemens (S7/TIA), ABB, Rockwell Automation etc.
   • Support and enhance automation systems for: furnace processes, fault diagnosis within the site for controls, instrumentation and combustion.
   • Ensure robust control logic, interlocks, and safety systems are maintained.
3. Continuous Improvement
   • Identify opportunities to improve process stability, yield, energy efficiency, and product quality.
4. Projects & Engineering Development
   • Support capital projects, upgrades, and plant modifications.
   • Contribute to engineering design, including P&IDs, specifications, and functional design documents (FDS).
   • Supervise installation and commissioning activities, including loop checks and SAT/FAT testing.
5. Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance
   • Ensure all systems comply with company Zero Harm safety culture.
   • Participate in risk assessments such as HAZOP, SIL verification, and FMEA.
   • Ensure compliance with COMAH regulations and other UK industry standards.
   • Promote safe working practices in a heavy industrial environment.
6. Stakeholder Collaboration
   • Work closely with operations, mechanical, and electrical teams to support production targets.
   • Liaise with OEMs, contractors, and engineering partners.
   • Provide technical guidance and mentorship to technicians and apprentices.
7. Documentation & Governance
   • Maintain accurate maintenance records, calibration certificates, and engineering documentation.
   • Ensure compliance within company standards and audit requirements.

Skills & Experience

• Essential Technical Skills
  • Strong experience with PLC programming (Siemens, Allen–Bradley) would be advantageous
  • Burner Management identification and finding
  • Distributed Control Systems (ABB, Honeywell, etc.)
  • SCADA systems
  • SAT and TUS experience would be advantageous
• Desirable
  • Experience within steel or heavy industry (e.g., metals, energy, petrochemical).
  • Exposure to high‑temperature or continuous manufacturing processes.
  • Knowledge of drives, motors, and process automation in the heavy engineering industry.

Qualifications

• A relevant qualification (or equivalent experience) in Control & Instrumentation Engineering
• Electrical/Electronic Engineering