Principal Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Engineer

We Served; England; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Principal Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Engineer to lead the design and delivery of complex systems in the nuclear sector. The role offers a flexible, hybrid working arrangement with base locations in the UK. Candidates should have proven experience in regulated industries and relevant qualifications. The company provides an extensive benefits package including generous holidays, pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Generous holiday allowance

Matched contribution pension scheme

Access to Digital GP services

Employee share scheme

Payment of Professional Fees

'Be Kind Day' for volunteering

Holiday Trading options

Qualifications

• Proven experience in regulated industries like nuclear or energy.
• Ability to manage multidisciplinary engineering projects.
• Strong technical governance skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and delivery of electrical systems.
• Provide guidance to engineering teams.
• Ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.
• Collaborate with teams to resolve technical challenges.
• Oversee project progress and strategic planning.

Skills

Leading design and delivery of complex systems

Understanding of safety standards

Managing and mentoring engineering teams

Experience with PLCs and SCADA systems

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree in Electrical Engineering

Chartered Engineer or working towards it

Job description

Job Title: Principal Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Engineer

Location: Flexible — UK + Hybrid Working Arrangement

Compensation: Competitive Salary + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Shape the Future of Nuclear Engineering

At Cavendish Nuclear we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together, if you join us, you can play your part as a Principal Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Engineer, based at one of our key locations – Moor Row (Cumbria), Warrington (Cheshire), Leicester (Leicestershire) or Bristol.

The role

As a Principal Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Engineer, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary. You lead the design and delivery of complex EC&I systems that support safe and efficient nuclear operations. This is a high-impact role where your technical leadership will shape the future of clean energy and national defence.

Day-to-day, you’ll be

• Leading the design and delivery of electrical, control and instrumentation systems for major nuclear projects
• Providing technical guidance and mentoring to engineers within the team
• Ensuring engineering solutions meet safety, quality and regulatory standards
• Collaborating with internal teams and external stakeholders to solve complex technical challenges
• Overseeing project progress, supporting decision-making and contributing to strategic planning

This is a permanent, full-time opportunity working 37 hours per week, based at one of our key Cavendish Nuclear locations. You’ll benefit from hybrid working arrangements, with three days a week on site at either Moor Row (Cumbria), Warrington (Cheshire), Leicester (Leicestershire) or Bristol.

Essential experience

• Proven experience leading the design and delivery of complex EC&I systems in regulated industries (e.g., nuclear, energy, defence)
• Strong understanding of safety standards, compliance and technical governance
• Ability to manage and mentor engineering teams across multidisciplinary projects
• Experience working with control systems, PLCs, SCADA and instrumentation technologies
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement, including clients, regulators and suppliers

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Electrical Engineering, Control Engineering or a related discipline
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards it

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role. Further details: United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What we offer

• Generous holiday allowance
• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
• Employee share scheme
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
• Holiday Trading allows UK Cavendish employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement.
• ‘Be Kind Day’ enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
• Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

Cavendish Nuclear

As a leader within the UK nuclear industry, Cavendish Nuclear, part of Babcock International Group, provides a comprehensive range of critical nuclear solutions in clean energy, defence and civil new build and decommissioning projects. Together, we’re innovating to make nuclear safer, faster and cost-effective across the nuclear energy life cycle. Your career with us could take you anywhere within Babcock International Group – from Canada, the USA to Japan. Work with us to create a safe and secure world, together.

We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email [e-mail] with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.

Closing date: 06/01/2026