Senior EC&I Engineer - Electrical Infrastructure

We're recruiting a Senior Electrical, Control & Instrumentation (EC&I) Engineer to join a leading defence engineering solutions provider. You'll deliver EC&I design across complex defence infrastructure projects, bringing substantial experience in electrical systems design from either critical infrastructure environments (datacentres, utilities, healthcare facilities) or defence and nuclear backgrounds.

Contract Details: Outside IR35 Competitive rate Hybrid working (2 days on-site every fortnight) 9-day working fortnight Current SC clearance essential

This role suits experienced EC&I professionals who understand how to design robust electrical systems in demanding, highly-regulated environments. You'll work on projects ranging from new-build facilities through to refurbishments and upgrades, with responsibility for the full spectrum of electrical design disciplines from low voltage through to high voltage, control systems, fire safety integration, and BIM coordination.

Electrical & Control Systems Design

• Lead EC&I design across multiple disciplines: low voltage, high voltage, lighting, fire alarm and security systems
• Design standby generation, UPS systems, and control instrumentation
• Develop Building Management Systems (BMS) and integrated control solutions
• Produce detailed electrical designs, drawings and specifications in accordance with British and European standards
• Perform design reviews and sign-off on deliverables
• Ensure integration with existing infrastructure and networks

Infrastructure & Technical Delivery

• Lead design on new builds, refurbishments, upgrades and temporary installations
• Manage structured cabling, data distribution and integration with existing networks
• Conduct surveys and site assessments to inform design decisions
• Attend Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) and support commissioning activities
• Provide construction and commissioning support on-site as required
• Manage technical handover and documentation

Compliance & Quality

• Ensure all designs meet defence sector requirements and security standards
• Maintain compliance with Health, Safety and Environmental regulations
• Support quality assurance processes and project reviews
• Ensure all work aligns with contract requirements and client expectations

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Current SC (Security Clearance) -you must hold valid clearance to be considered
• Minimum 8-10 years' EC&I design experience in complex infrastructure environments
• Proven background in one or more of: datacentre design, critical infrastructure (utilities, healthcare, power systems), defence sector, or nuclear facility design

• Expert-level knowledge of electrical systems design across multiple disciplines:
  • Low and high voltage design
  • Control systems and instrumentation
  • Lighting design and integration
  • Fire safety and security system integration
  • Standby generation and UPS systems
  • BMS and building automation
  • Structured cabling and data distribution
• Technical competency in:
  • British and European electrical standards (BS 7909, BS 7671, BS EN 50480, etc.)
  • Design software (AutoCAD, Revit, or similar)
  • BIM coordination and clash detection
  • Survey and site assessment techniques
• Project delivery experience including:
  • Design reviews and technical sign-off authority
  • Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)
  • Construction and commissioning support
  • Contract and supplier management
  • Stakeholder management on complex projects
• Professional qualifications:
  • Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent
  • Chartered Engineer status (CEng) or equivalent professional standing preferred
  • IOSH or equivalent H&S qualification desirable

Desirable

• Experience in defence or nuclear sector environments
• Background in datacentre design transitioning to defence/infrastructure
• Experience with critical infrastructure resilience and redundancy design
• Knowledge of security and access control system integration
• Experience with integrated design management and BIM protocols
• Dispute resolution or claims management experience
• Team leadership and resource management at senior level

Security Clearance

Current SC (Security Clearance) is essential. You must be able to demonstrate active, valid clearance at the point of application.

You'll work on a hybrid basis with 2 days on-site every fortnight, working a 9-day fortnight pattern. This is a senior technical role with genuine design authority and responsibility for complex electrical infrastructure. You'll lead design workstreams, and engage directly with clients and stakeholders on technical matters. The flexible on-site pattern allows you to maintain client relationships and on-site oversight whilst working remotely the majority of the time.

This role suits someone with strong electrical infrastructure design background - particularly from datacentre or utilities environments, or those with existing defence/nuclear sector experience. The key is understanding how to design resilient, compliant electrical systems in demanding, highly-regulated environments.

You'll be working for a leading defence engineering solutions provider on strategically important infrastructure programmes. This is serious technical work on projects with genuine complexity and stringent requirements. You'll have scope to develop deeper expertise in defence sector electrical design whilst working with a skilled technical team on high-profile programmes.

The role offers competitive rates for experienced EC&I professionals with current clearance, and the flexibility of hybrid working arrangements.