Lead/Principal Controls Engineer

Hernshead Recruitment Ltd
Telford, Shropshire, SY2 5TN, United Kingdom
Yesterday
£65,000 – £75,000 pa

Salary

£65,000 – £75,000 pa

Job Type
Permanent
Work Pattern
Full-time
Work Location
On-site
Seniority
Lead
Education
Degree
Posted
6 May 2026 (Yesterday)

About this position:

We are supporting a specialist systems integration company within the process industry who are seeking a Lead / Principal Engineer to take ownership of complex automation projects from concept through to completion. This is a senior technical and leadership role requiring strong full lifecycle experience across DCS-based control systems and the ability to guide multidisciplinary engineering teams through delivery.

Job Responsibilities:

* Lead the full lifecycle delivery of automation and control system projects within the process industry (concept, design, configuration, testing, commissioning, and handover)

* Act as technical authority for DCS-based control systems across multiple projects

* Manage and coordinate engineering teams, ensuring high-quality design and implementation standards

* Oversee system architecture design, control philosophy development, and functional specifications

* Interface directly with clients, stakeholders, and suppliers to define requirements and manage expectations

* Provide technical leadership during FAT/SAT, commissioning, and site acceptance phases

* Ensure projects are delivered in line with scope, schedule, budget, and safety standards

* Support continuous improvement of engineering processes, standards, and best practices

Experience Required:

* Proven full lifecycle experience in control systems engineering within the process industry

* Strong background working with Distributed Control Systems (DCS) from design through to commissioning

* Demonstrated experience leading complex automation or control system projects

* Experience in a Lead Engineer, Principal Engineer, or similar technical leadership role

* Strong understanding of process control principles and industrial automation systems

* Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and lead engineering teams effectively

* Experience in client-facing roles, including technical presentations and solution definition

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