Prinicipal Design Controls Engineer

Principal Design Controls Engineer Due to continuing growth, we are recruiting a Principal Design Controls Engineer to strengthen the existing team in Scotland/ Glasgow. The Principal Controls & Instrumentation (C&I) Design Engineer is a technical leader responsible for overseeing the development, design, and implementation of complex control and instrumentation systems. This role involves providing high - level expertise, mentorship, and strategic direction on all C&I design activities.

The Principal Engineer will act as the subject matter expert, ensuring that all C&I projects meet technical, safety, and regulatory standards while promoting innovation, efficiency, and quality. The position requires an in - depth understanding of control, instrumentation, automation, and telemetry engineering principles, strong project management capability, and effective collaboration with multiple engineering disciplines. The role is central in ensuring consistency, accuracy, and excellence across all C&I designs.

Leadership & Strategy:
Provide technical leadership and guidance to the C&I engineering team, ensuring the successful delivery of projects. Define and drive the C&I design strategy for projects, aligning with company goals and industry best practices. Lead the development of control system architecture, instrumentation philosophies, and design methodologies. Serve as the primary escalation point for complex C&I technical issues, resolving system design challenges and guiding teams toward robust solutions.

Project Design & Development Produce disciplined C&I design deliverables (I/O lists, instrument schedules, control philosophies, cause & effect matrices) Develop specifications and datasheets for instrumentation (temperature, pressure, flow, level), final control elements (valves, actuators), control panels, telemetry systems, PLC/RTU hardware, SCADA/HMI, and communication networks. Ensure all C&I designs comply with UK/IE regulations, industry standards, and specific client requirements. Coordinate multi-discipline interfaces (process, electrical, mechanical, civils) and align C&I deliverables with SCADA, BMS, PLC/DCS, metering, and plant automation systems.

Review and approve technical documentation including design reports, specifications, and functional safety assessments. Mentorship & Team Development Mentor, support, and develop junior and senior C&I engineers, fostering a collaborative and high - performing environment. Conduct design and technical reviews, ensuring best practice, consistency, and compliance across all deliverables Technical Innovation Stay up to date with advancements in controls, automation, instrumentation, industrial networking, and emerging digital technologies.

Promote innovation in C&I design by adopting new tools, methodologies, and technologies that improve system performance and efficiency. Collaborate with R&D and automation teams to integrate new control technologies into existing or future system designs. Compliance & Standards Ensure all C&I designs comply with relevant standards (BS, IEC, ISO, SIL/functional safety, EMC) and applicable regulatory requirements. Lead and conduct risk assessments, ensuring designs incorporate required protective measures, redundancy, and fail - safe functionality.

Prepare documentation required for regulatory approvals, certification processes, and safety audits Project Management & Collaboration Work closely with multidisciplinary teams (process, mechanical, electrical, controls, manufacturing) to ensure seamless system integration. Lead planning, budgeting, and resource allocation for C&I design activities. Act as the technical liaison with clients, vendors, integrators, and stakeholders, ensuring clarity on technical requirements, project goals, and timelines.

Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and meet commercial expectations. Regular interaction with engineering teams, project managers, and external clients or suppliers. . The Company Vital Energi is a leading provider of renewable energy infrastructure and systems to the public and private sectors. We are supporting Hospitals, Universities, New…