Senior EC&I Engineer

Senior Electrical, Control & Instrumentation Engineer

Leading Engineering Solutions Provider | Defence Sector | Reading-based | Hybrid | Long-term Contract | Outside IR35 | Current SC Clearance Required

We're recruiting a Senior Electrical, Control & Instrumentation (EC&I) Engineer for a leading engineering solutions provider delivering services to a leading defence operator. You'll deliver EC&I technical expertise across multiple projects, working on strategically important defence programmes.

Contract Details: Outside IR35 | Competitive rate | Reading-based | 2 days per fortnight in office, remaining days remote/flexible | 9-day working fortnight | Long-term contract |
Current SC clearance essential

This is a senior technical role for an experienced EC&I engineer with proven functional safety expertise. You'll deliver complex EC&I design and technical solutions on defence programmes, supporting a leading operator's critical infrastructure and systems.

• Deliver electrical, control and instrumentation design across defence projects
• Produce electrical design documentation including SLDs, cable schedules, equipment specifications, schematics and control system designs
• Develop control system architectures and functional specifications
• Design safety-critical systems and instrumentation

• Essential: Lead functional safety activities on defence programmes
• Conduct Functional Safety Assessments (FSAs) and Safety Integrity Level (SIL) determinations
• Develop Safety Instrumented System (SIS) designs and specifications
• Ensure compliance with functional safety standards (IEC 61508, IEC 61511)
• Manage functional safety documentation and assurance

• Ensure all designs comply with defence standards and regulatory requirements
• Maintain rigorous quality assurance and technical documentation
• Conduct design reviews and technical approvals
• Support compliance with client specifications and security requirements

• Specify electrical and control equipment for defence applications
• Review supplier quotations and technical proposals
• Manage procurement of control systems and instrumentation
• Ensure compliance with defence standards and certification requirements
• Support commissioning activities on defence programmes
• Provide technical support to construction and operations teams
• Resolve technical issues during implementation and handover

• MUST HAVE:
  Current SC (Security Clearance) — you must hold valid, current clearance
• MUST HAVE:
  Functional Safety certification and proven experience — demonstrated background in functional safety on defence or similar regulated programmes
• Degree in electrical, electronic, control or related engineering discipline
• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status with a relevant professional body, or clear evidence of working towards professional registration
• Minimum 10+ years of EC&I engineering experience on defence or similarly regulated infrastructure projects
• Expert-level knowledge of:
• Control system design and implementation
• Functional Safety standards (IEC 61508, IEC 61511)
• Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS)
• Electrical power systems and distribution
• Instrumentation and measurement systems
• Defence standards and specifications
• Strong understanding of:
• Defence sector security requirements and procedures
• UK legislation and standards for defence applications
• Risk identification and management
• HSE requirements for electrical and control systems
• Excellent communication skills — confident engaging with clients and technical teams
• Quality and compliance focused — meticulous approach to design and documentation
• Highly motivated — takes ownership of technical delivery
• Track record on critical infrastructure or safety‑critical systems
• Experience with digital control systems and automation
• Familiarity with BIM and integrated design management
• Commissioning experience
• Mentoring or team leadership experience

Current SC (Security Clearance) is essential. Only candidates holding valid, current clearance will be considered.

You'll be based in Reading, with minimum 2 days per fortnight in office and flexible working for remaining time. You'll report to senior engineering leadership and work on defence programmes for a leading operator.

This is hands‑on technical work on strategically important defence projects. You'll be delivering EC&I design, leading functional safety activities, and ensuring compliance with defence standards. Your functional safety expertise and technical judgment directly impact how critical systems are designed and implemented.