Lead EC&I Engineer

Lead EC&I Engineer
Location: UK (with occasional travel as required)
Sector: Highly regulated environment)
Type: Long-term contract

We're seeking an experienced Lead EC&I Engineer to support major projects.This role will suit a technically strong engineer who is comfortable leading work packages, overseeing design delivery, and acting as a key interface across multidisciplinary teams.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the delivery of EC&I design activities across the full project lifecycle.
Provide direction, oversight, and technical assurance to EC&I engineers, designers and supply chain partners.
Take a primary role in defining the Distributed Control System (DCS) architecture and ensuring the design aligns with project and regulatory requirements.
Collaborate directly with DCS vendors (including ABB or similar) to review, challenge, and refine system specifications and configurations.
Produce and review EC&I design documentation including panel designs, cable schedules, termination drawings, I/O lists, and system architecture diagrams.
Support hazard studies, design reviews, safety assessments and integration activities.
Ensure compliance with quality standards, engineering governance requirements, and industry regulations.

Main Requirements

Education & Experience

MSc in Electrical/Electronic Engineering (or equivalent).
10+ years' EC&I engineering experience in regulated environments.
Demonstrable experience leading technical teams and managing EC&I work packages.Core Technical Competencies

Strong background in defining and integrating Distributed Control Systems (DCS).
Ability to input into and challenge vendor documentation, particularly with ABB or similar systems.
Design of new control systems and integration into existing plant ecosystems (including PLEX/upgrade programmes).
Instrument selection, datasheet development, P&ID interpretation and in-line instrument sizing.
Design of DCS/PLC panels, cable schedules and field junction box terminations.
Proficiency with EC&I design tools (AutoCAD Electrical).
Understanding of safety functional requirements and environmental/seismic qualification.
Working knowledge of EU Directives: LV, EMC, Machinery, ATEX.

Additional (Desirable)

Experience with LV system architecture for applications, including IEC 61850 digital buses.

Soft Skills

Strong leadership, clear communication and excellent stakeholder engagement.
Ability to manage competing priorities across complex programmes.
High level of detail orientation and proactive problem-solving capability.

If you have a background in DCS systems and a passion for delivering robust engineering solutions within highly regulated industries, we'd like to hear from you.

Please click to find out more about our Key Information Documents. Please note that the documents provided contain generic information. If we are successful in finding you an assignment, you will receive a Key Information Document which will be specific to the vendor set-up you have chosen and your placement.

To find out more about Progressive please visit

Progressive Recruitment, a trading division of SThree Partnership LLP is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy | Registered office | 8 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4BQ, United Kingdom | Partnership Number | OC(phone number removed) England and Wales
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed