Principal Controls and Instrumentation Engineer (C&I)

Jacobs; Reading; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking an experienced ICA Engineer to lead complex design and build packages. Key responsibilities include ensuring quality and safety in engineering processes and mentoring colleagues in a collaborative environment.

The ideal candidate will have a chartered engineering status or be working towards it, with a strong background in the water sector's instrumentation and control. Join us in transforming critical infrastructures from our offices in London, Reading, or Birmingham.

Qualifications

• Chartered Engineer status or progressing towards it.
• Established experience in Instrumentation, Control, and Automation.
• Proficient in delivering ICA solutions through design phases.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex ICA design and build packages.
• Embed quality, safety, and sustainability throughout engineering.
• Mentor colleagues to foster a supportive culture.

Skills

Leadership in engineering

Collaboration

Technical judgment

Regulatory compliance

Innovation in design

Education

Chartered Engineer or working towards CEng

Knowledge of water sector regulations

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world’s most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Responsibilities

• Lead and shape complex ICA design and build packages.
• Embed quality, safety, constructability, sustainability and reliability throughout design, engineering construction, and commissioning phases.
• Be technical authority and reference point for ICA engineering issues, ensuring delivery of innovative and robust ICA solutions covering field instrumentation and measurement; PLC, SCADA, telemetry, and process control systems; control philosophies, FDS, and I/O strategies; ICA systems integration with mechanical, electrical, and process designs.
• Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary project teams, including civil, mechanical, electrical, process, commissioning, and operations.
• Apply engineering governance, ensuring ICA deliverables and milestones meet required standards, specifications, and regulatory expectations.
• Mentor and support personal and professional development of colleagues and peers, fostering a supportive, collaborative, and inclusive culture focused on delivering technical excellence.
• Promote innovation and agility that adds value and exceeds expectations.
• Actively develop and maintain a culture of safety, well‑being, inclusion, and psychological safety.

Qualifications

• Chartered Engineer or working towards (CEng) status (e.g. IET or equivalent).
• A sound knowledge of the water sector regulations and safety protocols.
• Established career in Instrumentation, Control and Automation within the Water industry.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering ICA solutions throughout the detailed design and Design & Build phases.
• Comfortable making sound technical judgements.
• Proficient in applying robust ICA engineering knowledge to deliver innovative, compliant solutions from concept through commissioning.
• Ability to balance innovation with regulatory compliance.
• Have a supportive, collaborative, inclusive leadership style.
• Possess an established awareness of commercial and change management.
• Established experience of resilience and adaptability in complex ICA delivery environments.

Location: London, Reading, or Birmingham offices.

As a disability‑confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.