Principal Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Engineer

Babcock International; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in the UK seeks a Principal Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Engineer to lead the design and delivery of complex systems for nuclear projects. You will be responsible for ensuring that engineering solutions adhere to safety and regulatory standards while mentoring a team of engineers. The role offers a hybrid working pattern and excellent career development opportunities within the organization.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Matched contribution pension scheme

Access to a Digital GP

Employee share scheme

Professional Fees payment

Paid leave for reservists

'Be Kind Day' for volunteering

Development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in regulated industries like nuclear and energy.
• Ability to manage multi-disciplinary projects.
• Experience with PLCs, SCADA, and instrumentation technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of EC&I systems for nuclear projects.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineers.
• Ensure solutions meet safety and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to solve technical challenges.
• Oversee project progress and support decision-making.

Skills

Leadership in engineering design

Knowledge of safety standards

Mentoring engineering teams

Control systems expertise

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree in Electrical, Control, or Instrumentation Engineering

Chartered Engineer status (or working towards)

Job description

As a Principal Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Engineer, you'll have a role that is out of the ordinary. You'll lead the design and delivery of complex EC&I systems that underpin critical nuclear projects. This is your opportunity to make a tangible impact on energy security and national defence while advancing your career in a dynamic, highly regulated environment. Day‑to‑day, you'll be

• Leading the design and delivery of electrical, control and instrumentation systems for major nuclear projects.
• Providing technical guidance and mentoring to engineers within the team.
• Ensuring engineering solutions meet safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
• Collaborating with internal teams and external stakeholders to solve complex technical challenges.
• Overseeing project progress, supporting decision‑making, and contributing to strategic planning.

This is a full‑time role, 37 hours per week. Hybrid working patterns are available, with three days on site. You will be based at any of our main UK locations, including Warrington (Cheshire), Bristol, Leicester, Humberside, Cumbria (Westlakes), Preston or Newbury.

Essential experience of the Principal Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Engineer

• Proven experience leading the design and delivery of complex EC&I systems in regulated industries (e.g., nuclear, energy, defence).
• Strong understanding of safety standards, compliance, and technical governance.
• Ability to manage and mentor engineering teams across multi‑disciplinary projects.
• Experience working with control systems, PLCs, SCADA, and instrumentation technologies.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement, including clients, regulators, and suppliers.

Qualifications for the Principal Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Engineer

• Degree in Electrical, Control, or Instrumentation Engineering (or equivalent).
• Chartered Engineer status (or working towards) is highly desirable.

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What we offer

• Generous holiday allowance
• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
• Employee share scheme
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10‑days special paid leave
• Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Cavendish employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement. This Window opens February through to March annually.
• 'Be Kind Day' enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
• Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

Cavendish Nuclear As a leader within the UK nuclear industry, Cavendish Nuclear, part of Babcock International Group, provides a comprehensive range of critical nuclear solutions in clean energy, defence and civil new build and decommissioning projects. Together, we're innovating to make nuclear safer, faster and cost‑effective across the nuclear energy life cycle. Your career with us could take you anywhere within Babcock International Group - from Canada, the USA to Japan. Work with us to create a safe and secure world, together.