Technical Authority - Control & Instrumentation Engineer

The Oil & Pipelines Agency; United States; Remote; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the oil and pipelines sector is seeking a Technical Authority - Control & Instrumentation Engineer. This role requires expertise in C&I engineering, ensuring compliance with safety standards and regulations, and involves mentoring engineers while promoting process safety leadership. Regular travel to UK sites is expected.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in C&I Engineering discipline.
• TUV certification in Functional Safety or working towards it.
• Experience in hazardous area process plant environments.

Responsibilities

• Promote process safety leadership as the core of OPA’s culture.
• Manage all C&I, Functional Safety, and fire alarm systems.
• Mentor and support EC&I Field Engineers.

Skills

Functional Safety Engineering

Process Control Programming

Cybersecurity

C&I Engineering Design

Knowledge of Regulations

Education

Chartered Engineer status or working towards it

Job description

The role:

An exciting opportunity has arisen at OPA as we seek to appoint a new Technical Authority - Control & Instrumentation (C&I) Engineer. This role functions as a Technical Authority (Subject Matter Expert) for Control & Instrumentation, Functional Safety, and Fire Alarm Systems Engineering tasks related to operations, maintenance, engineering works, and projects. The role involves close collaboration with managers, engineers, technicians, and operators across various sites (UK and international) and departments (Maintenance, Minor New Works, Major Projects, Engineering, and Assurance).

The Technical Authority is responsible for ensuring that all C&I documentation, assets, equipment, activities, and systems comply fully with company standards and applicable legislation.

Building and maintaining strong, credible relationships with all stakeholders, both internal and external—including O&M Contractors, Design Consultants, HSE, EA, SEPA, MOD Sponsors, Regulators, and Competent Authorities—is essential.

Travel to UK sites will be a regular part of this role, with some overnight stays. A full (preferably clean) driving license is essential, and occasional overseas travel may be required.

Responsibilities:

• Promote process safety leadership as the core of OPA’s culture.
• Contribute to the Asset Management Team to support meeting business and team objectives, including troubleshooting, documentation, training, and continuous improvement.
• Manage all C&I, Functional Safety, and fire alarm systems associated with the facilities, ensuring they are safe, reliable, fit for purpose, robust, and compliant with standards and regulations.
• Oversee cyber security on Operational Technology systems to ensure compliance, identify improvements, and liaise with the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA).
• Ensure C&I Engineering documentation, assets, activities, and systems are complete and compliant with policies, procedures, and legal requirements, especially safety standards.
• Mentor and support EC&I Field Engineers.
• Report activities and provide management insights.

The candidate:

You should be qualified with a minimum of 10 years’ experience in a C&I Engineering discipline, ideally at Chartered Engineer status or working towards it, preferably within a COMAH regulated industry/operation.

Knowledge / Skills:

• Functional Safety Engineer (TUV certified) or working towards certification (e.g., TUV FS Eng, FSP, CFSE).
• Knowledge of standards such as IEC 62443, IEC 61131, IEC13849 / BSEN62061.
• Experience in C&I engineering design and installation in hazardous area process plant environments.
• Strong knowledge of process control programming languages like PLC, SCADA, or DCS.
• Experience in developing policies, SOPs, and performance frameworks for Maintenance Management in Control, Instrumentation, and Safety applications.
• Knowledge of regulations including COMAH, MOC, CDM, DESAR, and ATEX.
• Familiarity with HAZOP, LOPA, SIL assessments, and Human Factors.
• Understanding of Operational Technology cybersecurity practices.
• Knowledge of LV distribution systems.
• Previous experience working within MAH environments.