Role: Lead Instrumentation Engineer

Inside IR35 contract

Location: South East UK (office based)

Duration - one year renewable contract - (anticipated 2 year + duration)

Key experience - Client side / operator experience managing design scopes of engineering contractor

Start date: Immediate

Global Edge Group are working on behalf of an operator client in the UK and recruiting for an experienced Lead Instrumentation Engineer to join a client-side Project Management Team (PMT) supporting a major integrated refining and petrochemical development of over $15bn.

Working within the PMT, you will provide mechanical engineering leadership across pre-FEED / FEED phases, with a strong focus on contractor oversight and technical assurance.

Key responsibilities include:

As the Instrumentation Engineering Lead, you will be a key member of the Joint Venture Project Management Team (PMT), providing technical leadership and discipline expertise to guide the development of safe, operable, and cost-efficient facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and discipline expertise aligned with project objectives
• Drive value improvement and capital efficiency in design development
• Ensure robust assessment and qualification of new technologies
• Own and develop engineering standards, specifications, and philosophies
• Oversee contractor deliverables and ensure alignment with project requirements
• Support FEED/EPC scope development and technical bid evaluations
• Lead discipline input into key safety and design activities (HAZOP, LOPA, SIL)
• Review and guide instrumentation, control systems, and turbomachinery interfaces
• Establish and execute engineering surveillance and risk-based decision-making
• Collaborate across engineering teams to maintain alignment on project goals

Experience

• 15+ years of relevant experience in instrumentation engineering
• Strong technical expertise with hands-on experience in specialist tools and systems
• Proven ability to develop engineering standards and design philosophies
• Experience across both owner/operator and contractor environments
• Background in downstream refining or chemical processing (e.g., hydroprocessing, gas treatment, ethylene, utilities)
• Experience with large-scale modular project execution
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Familiarity with Middle East projects (e.g., KSA) is advantageous

Discipline Expertise

• Instrumentation & control systems design and application
• Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS), Fire & Gas systems
• SIL assessments and functional safety lifecycle activities
• Turbomachinery control and protection systems
• Custody transfer and measurement systems
• Instrumentation standards development and optimization