Senior Control & Instrumentation Engineer

UK Atomic Energy Authority; Clifton Hampden; Hybrid; GBP 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy research organization in Clifton Hampden is seeking a Senior Control & Instrumentation Engineer to lead projects and develop advanced control systems for fusion energy facilities. The role requires a degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering and strong PLC/SCADA knowledge. Flexible working options and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Benefits

Defined benefit pension scheme

Corporate bonus scheme

Flexible working options

Generous annual leave allowance

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Degree or HND in Electrical/Electronic plus relevant experience.
• Proven experience in design, installation, and testing of C&I systems.
• Experience with safety documentation and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Lead C&I projects from concept to design and execution.
• Take technical ownership and ensure compliance on installations.
• Develop and produce technical documentation and software.

Skills

Strong practical knowledge of PLC and SCADA systems

High level of experience in designing control systems

Excellent communication and influencing skills

Education

Degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Tools

Siemens TIA S7

LabVIEW

C++

ABB 800xA

Job description

The salary for this role is £56,596 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected, however, we can also discuss hybrid working where possible, depending on business needs.

We're looking for a Senior Control & Instrumentation (C&I) Engineer to join our team driving the future of fusion energy. In this exciting role, you'll lead the design, development, and delivery of advanced control and safety systems that power some of the UK's most innovative and high‑tech facilities.

From initial concepts to commissioning, you'll take full ownership of complex work packages, solving technical challenges, responding to plant faults, and ensuring robust, safe solutions. You'll also lead technical studies, produce key documentation, and oversee the work of staff and contractors on major installations and upgrades.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver C&I projects from concept to detailed design, including enhancement programmes and future fusion systems, ensuring timely, safe, and cost‑effective execution.
• Take technical ownership of multiple control and safety systems, covering installation, software development, testing, commissioning, and maintenance across UKAEA facilities.
• Develop technical documentation and software, including system architecture, control philosophies, and coding in platforms such as Siemens TIA S7, PCS7, LabVIEW, ABB 800xA, Python, and C++.
• Collaborate across disciplines to capture requirements, perform HAZOP assessments, chair design reviews, and guide solutions through the full lifecycle with end users and stakeholders.
• Supervise teams and ensure compliance, overseeing contractors, authorising electrical work, managing project milestones, and maintaining adherence to safety, quality, and technical standards.

In this role, you will use strong communication and influencing skills to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and stakeholders, effectively manage your time and workload to meet targets, and independently identify and solve complex technical problems.

Qualifications

• A degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or equivalent, and relevant professional experience in an engineering role. Or HND in Electrical/Electronic discipline, or equivalent qualification level, with a greater breadth and depth of experience/knowledge.
• Strong practical knowledge of PLC and SCADA systems, along with a solid understanding of EC&I documents such as SLDs, P&IDs, C&Es, and schematics.
• Experience in safe working practices and procedures, including preparing safety documentation like risk assessments, method statements, permits, and isolations.
• Must demonstrate a high level of experience in the design, installation and testing of Control and Instrumentation software and hardware systems.

Desirable

• Chartered Engineer status with a suitable professional institution.
• Functional Safety qualifications (e.g. TÜV Rheinland FSEng).
• Experience with Siemens, LabVIEW, ABB 800Xa or similar control system applications.
• Experience working in a scientific / engineering environment following strict safety processes.
• Supervisory experience.

Benefits

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options including family friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment.
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders.
• Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays.
• Wide range of career development opportunities.
• A vibrant culture committed to equality and being fully inclusive.

UKAEA welcomes talented people from all backgrounds who want to help us achieve our mission. We are under‑represented from some groups and so want to encourage applications in particular from women in STEM, people from Black British Caribbean and African backgrounds and from Pakistani and Bangladeshi British backgrounds. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) and Wellbeing and our EDI Networks actively promote Inclusion and takes steps to increase diversity within our organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

UK Atomic Energy Authority is committed to being accessible. Please email us if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.

By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in contributing and helping to shape the future of the world's energy? If so, read on.

Fusion, the process that powers the Sun and Stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon‑free energy that our world badly needs.

UKAEA leads the way in realising fusion energy, partnering with industry and research for groundbreaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid, supported by tomorrow's power stations. In pursuit of our mission, UKAEA embraces core values: Innovative, Committed, Trusted, and Collaborative.

For a full list of benefits and to apply, select the apply button to be taken through to the UKAEA careers pages.