Electrical Instrumentation Engineer
Location: St Helens (covering Runcorn, Trafford Park, Ravenhead)
Salary: Circa £60,000 per annum + Call Out Allowance + Benefits
Hours: 8:00 – 16:00 (with bankable hours system)
Call Out: 1-in-4 rotation, with allowance and pool car provided
Role Overview
We are working with a leading industrial process organisation seeking a technically proficient Electrical Instrumentation Engineer. The role requires an individual with substantial hands-on electrical and instrumentation expertise, a strong understanding of industrial process systems, and the ability to supervise and coordinate contractors while ensuring compliance with all statutory and site-specific procedures.
The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in maintaining operational reliability, safety, and efficiency across multiple heavy industrial and chemical sites. This is a hands-on role that demands proactive thinking, problem-solving in real time, and strong technical leadership.
Key Responsibilities
* Supervise, control, and maintain industrial plants including ASU, SMR, or other chemical process units.
* Act as the site electrical champion, providing technical guidance and ensuring compliance with BS, IEC, and site-specific electrical standards.
* Issue, monitor, and close Permits to Work (PTW) for contractors and in-house personnel, ensuring strict adherence to site SHEQ procedures.
* Supervise BOC and contract personnel, providing technical oversight and ensuring safe execution of maintenance, modification, and installation work.
* Carry out hands-on electrical and instrumentation work, including fault diagnosis, repair, calibration, and preventative maintenance.
* Interpret and work from single line diagrams, loop diagrams, and control schematics.
* Provide expert input into plant reliability and performance improvement initiatives in collaboration with Remote Operating Centres.
* Respond to plant emergencies, acting as senior technical lead on-site, implementing emergency response plans, and providing technical guidance under pressure.
* Work with HV and LV electrical systems, Compex instrumentation networks, and ATEX-rated equipment where applicable.
* Support mechanical and electrical integration tasks, including troubleshooting combined electro-mechanical systems.
* Contribute to site compliance with health, safety, and environmental legislation, including NEBOSH-level awareness.
Candidate Requirements
* Qualification: NVQ Level 3 minimum in Electrical or Instrumentation Engineering; HNC preferred.
* Experience: Minimum 6 years’ practical experience in a heavy industrial, chemical, or process environment.
* Strong electrical and instrumentation diagnostic skills, including HV/LV fault finding and Compex system knowledge.
* Proven ability to read, interpret, and act upon single line diagrams, loop diagrams, wiring schematics, and control logic diagrams.
* Experience with Permit to Work systems, contractor supervision, and emergency plan execution.
* Knowledge of ATEX-rated equipment and hazardous area compliance is highly desirable.
* Some mechanical experience preferred to support electro-mechanical troubleshooting.
* Ability to work independently, make decisions under pressure, and prioritize tasks effectively.
* Familiarity with industrial process operations, including chemical or gas processing.
* Full UK driving licence essential.
Technical Competencies
* High-level understanding of industrial electrical systems, including HV/LV distribution, MCCs, switchgear, and protective devices.
* Instrumentation and control systems: Compex networks, PLC-based control loops, sensors, transmitters, actuators, and control valves.
* Experience with loop testing, calibration, signal verification, and fault isolation.
* Understanding of process safety standards, control logic, and safety instrumented systems.
* Strong problem-solving skills, capable of rapid diagnosis and resolution of complex plant issues.
* Supervisory experience: ability to direct contractors and internal teams to complete technical tasks safely and efficiently.
What’s on Offer
* Competitive salary of around £60,000.
* Call out allowance with pool car provided during on-call weeks.
* Bankable hours for flexibility.
* Opportunity to work on complex, high-value industrial processes.
* Career development within a technically challenging, multi-disciplined environment.
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will be technically versatile, able to lead and mentor contractor teams, and comfortable making operational decisions in a high-pressure industrial environment. You will have a proven track record in heavy industrial electrical and instrumentation work, a strong grasp of process plant operations, and the ability to work hands-on when required.