Electrical and Instrumentation Engineer

Electrical Instrumentation Engineer

Location:
St Helens (covering Runcorn, Trafford Park, Ravenhead)

Salary:
Circa £60,000 per annum + Call Out Allowance + Benefits

Hours:
8:00 – 16:00 (with bankable hours system)

Call Out:
1-in-4 rotation, with allowance and pool car provided

Role Overview

We are working with a leading industrial process organisation seeking a technically proficient
Electrical Instrumentation Engineer
. The role requires an individual with substantial hands-on electrical and instrumentation expertise, a strong understanding of industrial process systems, and the ability to supervise and coordinate contractors while ensuring compliance with all statutory and site-specific procedures.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in maintaining operational reliability, safety, and efficiency across multiple heavy industrial and chemical sites. This is a hands-on role that demands proactive thinking, problem-solving in real time, and strong technical leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise, control, and maintain
  industrial plants
  including ASU, SMR, or other chemical process units.
• Act as the
  site electrical champion
  , providing technical guidance and ensuring compliance with
  BS, IEC, and site-specific electrical standards
  .
• Issue, monitor, and close
  Permits to Work (PTW)
  for contractors and in-house personnel, ensuring strict adherence to site SHEQ procedures.
• Supervise BOC and contract personnel, providing technical oversight and ensuring safe execution of maintenance, modification, and installation work.
• Carry out
  hands-on electrical and instrumentation work
  , including fault diagnosis, repair, calibration, and preventative maintenance.
• Interpret and work from
  single line diagrams, loop diagrams, and control schematics
  .
• Provide expert input into plant reliability and performance improvement initiatives in collaboration with
  Remote Operating Centres
  .
• Respond to plant emergencies, acting as
  senior technical lead on-site
  , implementing emergency response plans, and providing technical guidance under pressure.
• Work with
  HV and LV electrical systems
  , Compex instrumentation networks, and ATEX-rated equipment where applicable.
• Support mechanical and electrical integration tasks, including troubleshooting combined
  electro-mechanical systems
  .
• Contribute to site compliance with
  health, safety, and environmental legislation
  , including NEBOSH-level awareness.

Candidate Requirements

• Qualification:
  NVQ Level 3 minimum in Electrical or Instrumentation Engineering; HNC preferred.
• Experience:
  Minimum 6 years' practical experience in a heavy industrial, chemical, or process environment.
• Strong
  electrical and instrumentation diagnostic skills
  , including HV/LV fault finding and Compex system knowledge.
• Proven ability to read, interpret, and act upon
  single line diagrams, loop diagrams, wiring schematics, and control logic diagrams
  .
• Experience with
  Permit to Work systems
  , contractor supervision, and emergency plan execution.
• Knowledge of
  ATEX-rated equipment
  and hazardous area compliance is highly desirable.
• Some
  mechanical experience
  preferred to support electro-mechanical troubleshooting.
• Ability to work independently, make decisions under pressure, and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Familiarity with
  industrial process operations
  , including chemical or gas processing.
• Full UK driving licence essential.

Technical Competencies

• High-level understanding of
  industrial electrical systems
  , including HV/LV distribution, MCCs, switchgear, and protective devices.
• Instrumentation and control systems: Compex networks, PLC-based control loops, sensors, transmitters, actuators, and control valves.
• Experience with
  loop testing, calibration, signal verification, and fault isolation
  .
• Understanding of
  process safety standards
  , control logic, and safety instrumented systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills, capable of rapid diagnosis and resolution of complex plant issues.
• Supervisory experience: ability to direct contractors and internal teams to complete technical tasks safely and efficiently.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary of around £60,000.
• Call out allowance with pool car provided during on-call weeks.
• Bankable hours for flexibility.
• Opportunity to work on complex, high-value industrial processes.
• Career development within a technically challenging, multi-disciplined environment.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be technically versatile, able to lead and mentor contractor teams, and comfortable making operational decisions in a high-pressure industrial environment. You will have a proven track record in
heavy industrial electrical and instrumentation work
, a strong grasp of
process plant operations
, and the ability to work hands-on when required.