Senior Control Systems Consultant

Jacobs; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Global network of expertise

Safety culture

Flexible working arrangements

Mentoring and development

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Senior Control Systems Consultant to lead the assessment, design and delivery of OT and control system solutions for Critical National Infrastructure and other regulated industries across the UK. You will work with multidisciplinary teams to translate client requirements into practical, resilient architectures and roadmaps that improve reliability, safety and performance.

Joining Jacobs means collaborating across engineering, operations, digital and cybersecurity disciplines,

Qualifications

• Proven experience in control systems engineering and industrial automation.
• Experience delivering control system projects through full lifecycle: concept to handover.
• Experience in Critical National Infrastructure or highly regulated environments (electricity, water, etc.).
• Strong knowledge of PLCs, SCADA, DCS and RTUs.

Responsibilities

• Lead assessment, design and delivery of control system solutions within CNI and regulated environments.
• Understand client requirements and translate into practical, effective solutions and architectures.
• Conduct architecture reviews, technical due diligence and identify improvement opportunities.
• Develop control system strategies, roadmaps and modernization programmes.
• Oversee specification, design, implementation, testing, FAT/SAT and commissioning of PLC/SCADA/DCS/RTU solutions.
• Review network architectures, advise on cybersecurity, resilience and maintainability.
• Produce high-quality technical documentation and client deliverables.
• Provide mentoring to junior consultants and engineers.
• Support business development and proposal activity.

Skills

Control systems engineering

Industrial automation

OT/SCADA/DCS/RTU

CNI experience

Cybersecurity basics

Stakeholder communication

Technical writing

Job description

Senior Control Systems Consultant About the Role

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow. We are looking for a Senior Control Systems Consultant to join our growing team, supporting clients across Critical National Infrastructure and other regulated industries. In this role, you'll combine deep technical expertise with strategic thinking to help clients understand, assess and transform their operational technology (OT) and control system environments, delivering resilient, sustainable and future-ready solutions.

Working as part of multidisciplinary teams across engineering, operations, digital and cybersecurity disciplines, you'll contribute to the assessment, design and delivery of innovative control system solutions that help our clients address some of their most complex challenges. You'll support critical infrastructure projects across sectors including electricity transmission, distribution, generation and water, making a tangible impact on the reliability, safety and performance of essential services.

As a trusted advisor, you'll build strong client relationships, foster collaboration and drive excellence in project delivery, while helping to develop the next generation of talent within Jacobs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the assessment, design and delivery of control system and operational technology solutions within Critical National Infrastructure and regulated environments.
• Partner with clients and project teams to understand operational requirements, control philosophies, system architectures and business objectives, translating these into practical and effective solutions.
• Undertake control system assessments, architecture reviews and technical due diligence activities, identifying opportunities for improvement, resilience and innovation.
• Contribute to the development of control system strategies, digital roadmaps and modernisation programmes that enable long-term operational success.
• Lead the specification, design, implementation, testing, FAT, SAT and commissioning of PLC, SCADA, DCS, RTU and associated control system solutions.
• Review industrial network architectures and provide expert advice on system performance, cybersecurity, resilience and maintainability.
• Produce high-quality technical documentation, specifications, reports and client deliverables that reflect Jacobs' commitment to excellence.
• Provide technical assurance, peer review and mentoring to junior consultants and engineers, supporting a culture of continuous learning and growth.
• Build and maintain trusted client relationships, contributing to business development, proposal development and winning work aligned with Jacobs' strategic priorities.
• Champion collaboration, innovation and best practice across projects, helping clients navigate the evolving challenges of industrial automation, digital transformation and infrastructure resilience.

The Jacobs Way

At Jacobs, we put people at the heart of everything we do. We value curiosity, diverse perspectives and bold thinking, creating an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute. As a Senior Control Systems Consultant, you'll play a key role in delivering solutions that not only meet today's operational needs but also help shape a smarter, more connected and sustainable future for our clients, communities and the world around us.

Benefits

• A global network of expertise and opportunity
• A culture founded on safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging
• Flexible working arrangements that support your well-being and potential
• Investment in your development through training, certifications and access to experienced mentors We welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate a combination of the following skills, experience and attributes. We recognise that no candidate will meet every requirement, and we encourage applications from individuals whose experience may not align perfectly with every criterion but who are passionate about solving complex challenges and delivering positive outcomes for clients and communities.

Essential Skills, Experience and Attributes

• Proven experience in control systems engineering, industrial automation, operational technology (OT) or a related discipline.
• Experience delivering control system projects throughout the full project lifecycle, from concept and design through to testing, commissioning and handover.
• Experience working within Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) or other highly regulated industrial environments, particularly within the electricity transmission, distribution, generation and water sectors.
• Strong knowledge of industrial control technologies, including PLCs, SCADA, DCS and RTUs.
• Strong understanding of industrial networking principles, architectures and protocols, including technologies such as Industrial Ethernet, PROFINET, Modbus TCP, IEC 61850 and IEC 60870-5-104.
• Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and engaging effectively with a broad range of technical, operational and business stakeholders.
• Good understanding of cybersecurity principles, industry standards and best practice for industrial control systems and operational technology environments, including IEC 62443.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to produce high-quality technical documentation, reports and client deliverables.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain UK Security Clearance (SC).
• Opportunities to contribute to communities of practice and internal cyber security initiatives
• Exposure to a variety of projects, sectors and technical challenges
• Competitive benefits package including pension, holiday allowance and additional perks
• An inclusive environment where diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences are valued and encouraged

Glasgow Lanarkshire United Kingdom Edinburgh East Lothian United Kingdom Newcastle Tyne and Wear United Kingdom Digital and Data Enterprise Functions

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we've gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You'll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you'll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals - all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs .

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we're more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about our Jacobs Employee Networks here .

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit to view and access our roles.

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

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we're keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support .