Senior Electrical, Control & Instrumentation Engineer
Leading Engineering Solutions Provider | Hybrid | Long-term Contract | Outside IR35 | Competitive Rate | Current SC Clearance Required | Electrical Infrastructure Experience Essential
The Opportunity
We're recruiting a Senior Electrical, Control & Instrumentation (EC&I) Engineer to join a leading defence engineering solutions provider. You'll deliver EC&I design across complex defence infrastructure projects, bringing substantial experience in electrical systems design from either critical infrastructure environments (datacentres, utilities, healthcare facilities) or defence and nuclear backgrounds.
Contract Details: Outside IR35 | Competitive rate | Hybrid working (2 days on-site every fortnight) | 9-day working fortnight | Current SC clearance essential
This role suits experienced EC&I professionals who understand how to design robust electrical systems in demanding, highly-regulated environments. You'll work on projects ranging from new-build facilities through to refurbishments and upgrades, with responsibility for the full spectrum of electrical design disciplines from low voltage through to high voltage, control systems, fire safety integration, and BIM coordination.
What You'll Be Doing
Electrical & Control Systems Design
1. Lead EC&I design across multiple disciplines: low voltage, high voltage, lighting, fire alarm and security systems
2. Design standby generation, UPS systems, and control instrumentation
3. Develop Building Management Systems (BMS) and integrated control solutions
4. Produce detailed electrical designs, drawings and specifications in accordance with British and European standards
5. Perform design reviews and sign-off on deliverables
6. Ensure integration with existing infrastructure and networks
Infrastructure & Technical Delivery
7. Lead design on new builds, refurbishments, upgrades and temporary installations
8. Manage structured cabling, data distribution and integration with existing networks
9. Conduct surveys and site assessments to inform design decisions
10. Attend Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) and support commissioning activities
11. Provide construction and commissioning support on-site as required
12. Manage technical handover and documentation
Compliance & Quality
13. Ensure all designs meet defence sector requirements and security standards
14. Maintain compliance with Health, Safety and Environmental regulations
15. Support quality assurance processes and project reviews
16. Ensure all work aligns with contract requirements and client expectations
About You
Essential Experience & Qualifications
17. Current SC (Security Clearance) -you must hold valid clearance to be considered
18. Minimum 8-10 years' EC&I design experience in complex infrastructure environments
19. Proven background in one or more of: datacentre design, critical infrastructure (utilities, healthcare, power systems), defence sector, or nuclear facility design
20. Expert-level knowledge of electrical systems design across multiple disciplines: Low and high voltage designControl systems and instrumentationLighting design and integrationFire safety and security system integrationStandby generation and UPS systemsBMS and building automationStructured cabling and data distribution
21. Technical competency in: British and European electrical standards (BS 7909, BS 7671, BS EN 50480, etc.)Design software (AutoCAD, Revit, or similar)BIM coordination and clash detectionSurvey and site assessment techniques
22. Project delivery experience including: Design reviews and technical sign-off authorityFactory Acceptance Testing (FAT)Construction and commissioning supportContract and supplier managementStakeholder management on complex projects
23. Professional qualifications: Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalentChartered Engineer status (CEng) or equivalent professional standing preferredIOSH or equivalent H&S qualification desirable
Desirable
24. Experience in defence or nuclear sector environments
25. Background in datacentre design transitioning to defence/infrastructure
26. Experience with critical infrastructure resilience and redundancy design
27. Knowledge of security and access control system integration
28. Experience with integrated design management and BIM protocols
29. Dispute resolution or claims management experience
30. Team leadership and resource management at senior level
Security Clearance
Current SC (Security Clearance) is essential. You must be able to demonstrate active, valid clearance at the point of application.
The Role in Practice
You'll work on a hybrid basis with 2 days on-site every fortnight, working a 9-day fortnight pattern. This is a senior technical role with genuine design authority and responsibility for complex electrical infrastructure. You'll lead design workstreams, and engage directly with clients and stakeholders on technical matters. The flexible on-site pattern allows you to maintain client relationships and on-site oversight whilst working remotely the majority of the time.
This role suits someone with strong electrical infrastructure design background - particularly from datacentre or utilities environments, or those with existing defence/nuclear sector experience. The key is understanding how to design resilient, compliant electrical systems in demanding, highly-regulated environments.
Why This Role
You'll be working for a leading defence engineering solutions provider on strategically important infrastructure programmes. This is serious technical work on projects with genuine complexity and stringent requirements. You'll have scope to develop deeper expertise in defence sector electrical design whilst working with a skilled technical team on high-profile programmes.
The role offers competitive rates for experienced EC&I professionals with current clearance, and the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements.