Job Description:

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Principal Controls Engineer to lead the design, development, integration, and delivery of control and automation systems across the HS2 programme.
The successful candidate will provide technical leadership for all aspects of industrial control systems, SCADA, PLCs, Building Management Systems (BMS), telemetry, and integrated station and tunnel control solutions. Working within a multidisciplinary MEICA environment, you will be responsible for ensuring that control systems are safe, reliable, compliant, and fully integrated with mechanical and electrical infrastructure.
This is a senior technical role requiring strong engineering leadership, stakeholder management, and experience delivering complex control systems within rail, transportation, infrastructure, or critical environment projects.

Key Responsibilities



Technical Leadership

• Act as the lead technical authority for controls, automation, and SCADA systems across allocated HS2 projects.
• Provide technical direction and mentoring to Controls Engineers and Design Engineers.
• Establish engineering standards, design methodologies, and best practices for control systems delivery.
• Support the Engineering Manager in developing engineering capability and technical excellence within the business.

Controls & Automation Design

• Lead the design and specification of:
  • PLC-based control systems
  • SCADA systems
  • Building Management Systems (BMS)
  • Tunnel Ventilation Control Systems (TVCS)
  • Station Control Systems
  • Integrated Operational Control Systems
  • Telemetry and remote monitoring systems
  • Networked industrial communications systems
  • Energy monitoring and management systems
• Develop control philosophies, functional design specifications, cause and effect matrices, and system architecture documents.
• Review and approve control panel designs, software architecture, I/O schedules, and network topologies.

System Integration

• Manage interfaces between controls systems and:
  • Mechanical systems
  • Electrical distribution systems
  • Fire and life safety systems
  • Communications systems
  • Security systems
  • Asset management platforms
• Ensure seamless integration of third-party systems and equipment.
• Lead multidisciplinary design coordination activities and technical workshops.

Design Assurance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with:
  • HS2 Technical Standards
  • Railway interoperability requirements
  • BS EN and IEC standards
  • Cyber security requirements
  • Functional safety standards
  • CDM Regulations 2015
  • Client specifications and contractual obligations
• Lead technical reviews, design assurance activities, and engineering approvals.
• Support hazard identification, risk assessments, and safety assurance processes.

Project Delivery

• Manage controls engineering activities throughout the project lifecycle from concept design through commissioning and handover.
• Monitor engineering progress, budgets, and resource requirements.
• Review subcontractor and supplier technical submissions.
• Support procurement activities and factory acceptance testing (FAT).

Testing & Commissioning

• Lead controls system testing and commissioning strategies.
• Witness Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), and integrated system testing.
• Support dynamic testing, operational readiness, and project handover activities.
• Resolve complex technical issues during commissioning and operation.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary controls engineering interface with clients, consultants, supply chain partners, and project stakeholders.
• Present technical solutions and engineering proposals to senior management and clients.
• Support bids, tenders, and technical submissions for future opportunities.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience



Essential

• Degree qualified in Control Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in industrial controls, automation, SCADA, or systems engineering.
• Proven experience delivering major infrastructure, rail, transportation, utilities, or critical facilities projects.
• Strong understanding of:
  • PLC programming principles
  • SCADA architectures
  • Industrial networking
  • Control panel design
  • Instrumentation systems
  • BMS and integrated control systems
  • Functional safety concepts
• Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering interfaces.
• Strong understanding of engineering assurance and governance processes.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

Desirable

• Previous experience on HS2, Network Rail, Crossrail, London Underground, or major infrastructure projects.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or working towards chartership.
• Membership of a relevant professional institution (IET, InstMC, Engineering Council, etc.).
• Experience with:
  • Siemens PCS7, WinCC, TIA Portal
  • Schneider EcoStruxure
  • Rockwell Automation platforms
  • Wonderware / AVEVA systems
  • Ignition SCADA
  • OPC and industrial communication protocols
  • IEC 61508 / IEC 61511 Functional Safety
  • IEC 62443 Industrial Cyber Security

Key Competencies

• Technical Leadership
• Controls & Automation Expertise
• Systems Integration
• Engineering Assurance
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Stakeholder Management
• Commercial Awareness
• Risk Management
• Team Development & Mentoring
• Project Delivery Focus

Health, Safety & Environmental Responsibilities

• Promote and lead a positive safety culture.
• Ensure all control systems are designed with safety and operational resilience at the forefront.
• Support safe-by-design principles and compliance with CDM Regulations.
• Contribute to environmental sustainability and energy-efficient engineering solutions.

Performance Measures

• Delivery of controls engineering packages to programme and budget.
• Successful completion of design assurance and approval milestones.
• Compliance with HS2 and industry standards.
• Quality and reliability of commissioned control systems.
• Effective management of technical risk and system integration challenges.
• Client and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Development and mentoring of engineering team members.