Senior Control Systems Engineer

Location: Warrington / Cumbria
Type: 12‑Month Contract
Rate: £60 p/h (Senior) | £65 p/h (Lead)
Clearance: BPSS required
Reports to: Lead Engineer / Project Manager

About the Organisation

A leading engineering company specialising in delivering complex, safety‑critical control and automation systems within the nuclear sector. You will join a collaborative team that values technical quality, innovation and reliable delivery.

Role Overview

Seeking an experienced Senior Control Systems Engineer to support the design, implementation, testing and commissioning of PLC/SCADA‑based control and automation systems. This role involves hands‑on technical ownership across the full project lifecycle within a regulated environment.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Delivery

• Deliver detailed design, software implementation, testing and commissioning of control systems.
• Develop PLC software, control philosophies, HMI/SCADA configurations and simulator applications.
• Ensure technical outputs meet quality, safety and regulatory standards.
• Support integration with electrical, mechanical and broader engineering disciplines.

Design & Documentation

• Produce documentation including FDS, DDS, test specifications, recovery documents, O&M manuals and training material.
• Review and check design documentation and software produced by others.
• Interpret engineering drawings and support site visits to assess design impacts and risks.

Testing & Commissioning

• Plan and deliver FAT, CAT, SAT and on‑site commissioning activities.
• Diagnose and resolve technical faults during testing and commissioning phases.
• Ensure systems meet performance, compliance and safety requirements.

Project & Team Support

• Support Lead Engineers and Project Managers with progress, estimates and schedule input.
• Participate in design reviews and technical workshops.
• Work effectively within an integrated project team.

Compliance

• Produce CDM‑compliant documentation.
• Ensure all design outputs follow relevant standards and regulatory expectations.

Essential Experience

• HND/Degree in Electrical, Control, Automation or similar discipline.
• Proven experience delivering PLC‑based control systems across the full lifecycle.
• Strong capability in IEC 61131 languages, PLC hardware, industrial communications and HMI/SCADA development.
• Experience with formal testing processes and use of simulation tools.
• Strong troubleshooting skills and technical documentation capability.
• Ability to work independently or within multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Clear, concise communication skills.

Desirable

• Experience in regulated sectors such as Nuclear, MOD or Pharmaceuticals.
• Rockwell or Schneider PLC/SCADA experience.
• Understanding of OT cyber security and functional safety systems.
• Awareness of Sellafield Engineering Standards.
• Professional registration (CEng/IEng) or vendor training.