Principal Control Systems Engineer

Northrop Grumman; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an experienced Control Systems Engineer to join their team in a highly regulated defence environment. This role offers the chance to design, develop, and maintain advanced PLC and HCI solutions for naval platforms, directly contributing to mission-critical operations. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in Siemens PLCs and SCADA systems, focusing on functional safety and product security. Join a forward-thinking company where your skills will directly impact national defence and global security efforts, with opportunities for professional growth and innovative projects.

Benefits

Private Health Care

Career Development Opportunities

Performance Bonuses

Flexible Working Options

Compressed Working Schedule

Qualifications

• 5+ years in a PLC engineering environment.
• Experience in Defence, Maritime, or similarly regulated sectors.
• Understanding of testing and commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Capture and develop customer requirements.
• Specify, design and test PLC control systems.
• Produce technical documentation as per procedures.

Skills

PLC Control Systems

SCADA Systems

Functional Safety

Product Security

Industrial Communication Protocols

Software Development Lifecycles

Technical Documentation

Education

Degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering

HNC or HND in a related discipline

Tools

Siemens S7-300/400

Step 7 Professional Classic

Profibus

Profinet

EtherNet/IP

ModBus

Job description

UK CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION: Yes

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE TYPE: UK-Security Check (SC)

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Define Possible at Northrop Grumman UK

At Northrop Grumman UK, our mission is to solve the most complex challenges by shaping the technology and solutions of tomorrow. We call it Defining Possible.

This mind-set goes beyond our customer solutions; it's the foundation for your career development and the impact we have within the community. So, what's your possible?

Opportunity:

This is more than just a job; it's a mission.

Are you an experienced Control Systems Engineer, with PLC and SCADA experience, eager to work in a highly regulated defence environment? We are seeking skilled engineers to join our team. This position offers the unique opportunity to design, develop, and maintain cutting-edge PLC and HCI solutions for our naval platform management systems, deployed on the UK submarine fleet. You will play a critical role in both the development of the product and the continued support in regard to in-service and through life operational capability, supporting mission-critical naval operations.

This role is ideal for engineers familiar with Siemens PLCs and large infrastructure SCADA solutions, with a specific focus on functional safety and product security.

Our UK Defence business is a Sovereign software and systems centre of excellence. As well as developing and supporting UK wide and internationally deployed multi-domain command and control systems, our work is critical to the modern backbone of the Royal Navy. We pioneer - with fierce curiosity, dedication, and innovation, we seek to solve the world's most challenging problems.

Responsibilities:

• Capture, interpret and develop customer requirements
• Produce technical documentation in accordance with company/customer procedures
• Specify, design and test solutions for PLC control systems
• Manage data communications with third party equipment
• Develop PLC software from multiple design formats such as Block Diagrams, Flow Charts or Pseudo Code
• Validate software designs through analysis and test
• Support the preparation of contract changes and proposals
• Be aware of and comply with company standards of conduct and all relevant statutory requirements
• Provide input to project meetings and team briefings
• Undertake any other reasonable task as requested

Benefits:

We can offer you a range of flexible and hybrid working options to suit you, including optional compressed working schedule with every other Friday off. Our benefits including private health care, career development opportunities and performance bonuses. For a comprehensive list of benefits, speak to our recruitment team.

We are looking for:

• Design and integration of large-scale PLC Control Systems based on Siemens S7-300/400 (Step 7 Professional Classic).
• Experience of Fault Tolerant, High Availability and Safety Integrated PLC Solutions
• Experience of Industrial Communication protocols and networking standards such as; Profibus, Profinet, EtherNet/IP, ModBus, TCP/IP, UDP and ASCII
• Production of technical documentation
• SCADA/PLC interfacing and driver configuration
• Software development lifecycles, processes and procedures
• 5+ years in a PLC engineering environment
• Understanding of testing and commissioning
• Degree, HNC, HND or equivalent in Electrical/Electronic engineering or a related discipline e.g. C&I engineering, Systems engineering
• Experience within Defence, Maritime (Ship's machinery and control systems), Aerospace, or a similarly regulated industrial sector (e.g. Oil & Gas, Pharma or PetroChem)

Security clearance:

You must be able to gain and maintain the relevant UK Government security clearance in line with the job role (SC). Our requirement team is on hand to answer any questions and we will guide you through the process: [e-mail].

Why join us?

• End-to-End Involvement: Be part of a team responsible for the development of ICS products, playing a critical role in ensuring the security, performance, and compliance of these cutting-edge systems.
• Innovative Projects: Work on the design and delivery of next-generation infrastructure for naval platforms, contributing to national defence and global security efforts.
• Professional Growth: Take advantage of opportunities to grow your skills through training, certification, and experience in the defence sector, especially in areas like vulnerability management, asset management, safety and cybersecurity for industrial systems.
• Impactful Work: Work in a regulated environment with tangible real-world outcomes, ensuring mission-critical systems are secure, compliant, and ready for deployment on some of the world's most advanced naval platforms.

Ready to apply?

If you are a seasoned PLC Control Systems Engineer, looking to take on the challenges of working in a regulated defence environment and are excited by the prospect of delivering industrial control system solutions to a unique and exciting platform, whilst adhering to best practice regarding cybersecurity, functional safety and product development, we want to hear from you!

Submit your application online. Your application will be reviewed by our team and we will be in touch.

Possibly, I'd like to find out more about this role - Reach out to our team for more information and support: [e-mail].

No, I don't think this role is right for me - Our extensive UK growth means we have exciting, new opportunities opening all the time. Speak to our team to discuss your career goals.

Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce, and encourages individuals from all backgrounds and all abilities to apply and consider becoming a part of our diverse and inclusive workforce.