Job Title: Principal EC&I Engineer

Location: Client Hub - Warrington or Cumbria (Hybrid, minimum 3 days per week onsite) Contract: Initial 6-month contract (strong likelihood of extension) Rate: £65-£70 per hour (outside IR35, subject to confirmation) Project: AWE Programme (details restricted due to security sensitivity)

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Electrical, Control & Instrumentation (EC&I) Engineer to join our client's delivery team within a major nuclear infrastructure programme. This role will act as a technical authority, providing leadership and high-level engineering expertise within a multidisciplinary environment. You will operate from one of the client hubs (Warrington or Cumbria), supporting design development, technical governance, and delivery of EC&I scope on an AWE-related project. Due to the secure nature of the work, project details cannot be disclosed at this stage.

Key Responsibilities

Lead EC&I engineering activities across project phases, ensuring compliance with nuclear regulations, client standards, and relevant industry codes.

Provide technical direction, design assurance, and solutions for complex EC&I challenges.

Manage and review engineering deliverables, calculations, schematics, SIL assessments, electrical distribution, and instrumentation designs.

Coordinate with internal engineering teams, safety authorities, and external stakeholders.

Conduct design reviews, ensure quality standards, and manage technical risks.

Support project planning, schedule inputs, estimates, and change management processes.

Mentor and provide guidance to EC&I engineering teams.

Essential Requirements

Degree-qualified in Electrical Engineering, Control & Instrumentation, or a related discipline.

Chartered Engineer (CEng) or actively working toward professional registration (IET or equivalent).

Minimum 3+ years at Principal or Lead Engineer grade, ideally within high-integrity or safety-critical sectors (nuclear, defence, highly regulated industries).

Proven experience delivering EC&I engineering packages across design stages (front-end to detailed design).

Strong working knowledge of relevant standards (IEC, BS, EN) and safety integrity requirements.

Demonstrable ability to lead teams, make technical decisions, and provide technical assurance.

Security Clearance

Existing SC or DV clearance highly advantageous.

Candidates must be eligible to obtain UK security clearance due to the nature of the project.

Work Environment

Hybrid working model with a minimum of 3 days per week onsite at either Warrington or Cumbria.

Collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, with regular engagement with project leadership and client stakeholders