Senior EC&I Engineer
Posted 1 day ago by Scantec Recruitment
Negotiable
Outside
Hybrid
Reading, England, United Kingdom
Summary: The Senior Electrical, Control & Instrumentation (EC&I) Engineer role involves delivering technical expertise across multiple defence projects for a leading engineering solutions provider. The position requires a strong background in functional safety and compliance with defence standards, with responsibilities including design, technical delivery, and leadership in functional safety activities. The role is based in Reading with a hybrid working arrangement, requiring current SC clearance. This is a long-term contract position classified as outside IR35.
Key Responsibilities:
- 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.
- Lead functional safety activities on defence programmes.
- Conduct Functional Safety Assessments (FSAs) and Safety Integrity Level (SIL) determinations.
- Ensure compliance with functional safety standards (IEC 61508, IEC 61511).
- Maintain rigorous quality assurance and technical documentation.
- Specify electrical and control equipment for defence applications.
- Support commissioning activities on defence programmes.
- Provide technical support to construction and operations teams.
Key Skills:
- Current SC (Security Clearance).
- Functional Safety certification and proven experience.
- Degree in electrical, electronic, control or related engineering discipline.
- Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status or evidence of working towards professional registration.
- Minimum 10+ years' EC&I engineering experience on defence or similarly regulated infrastructure projects.
- Expert-level knowledge of control system design and implementation.
- Strong understanding of defence sector security requirements and procedures.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Quality and compliance focused.
- Highly motivated with ownership of technical delivery.
Salary (Rate): undetermined
City: Reading
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: hybrid
IR35 Status: outside IR35
Seniority Level: Senior
Industry: Engineering
Senior Electrical, Control & Instrumentation Engineer
Leading Engineering Solutions Provider | Defence Sector | Reading-based | Hybrid | Long-term Contract | Outside IR35 | Current SC Clearance Required
The Opportunity
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
MUST HAVE: Functional Safety certification and experience. 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.
What You'll Be Doing
EC&I Design & Technical Delivery
- 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
Functional Safety Leadership
- 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
Technical Compliance & Quality
- 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
Equipment & Procurement
- 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
Commissioning & Support
- Support commissioning activities on defence programmes
- Provide technical support to construction and operations teams
- Resolve technical issues during implementation and handover
About You
Essential Qualifications & Experience
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' 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
Desirable
- Extensive defence sector experience
- 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
Security Clearance
Current SC (Security Clearance) is essential. Only candidates holding valid, current clearance will be considered.
The Role in Practice
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.