Principal Controls Engineer

We’re Hiring: Principal Controls Engineer (Rail & Infrastructure)

Contract: £450- £550 per day (Outside IR35)

London based

ASAP start

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Principal Controls Engineer to join our Rail & Infrastructure Engineering team. In this senior leadership role, you will hold technical authority over the design, development, and system integration of advanced control and automation solutions for the landmark HS2 programme .

Operating within a high-performing, multidisciplinary MEICA environment, you will bridge the gap between complex software/automation architectures and critical physical infrastructure—ensuring station, tunnel, and operational facilities are safe, resilient, and fully integrated.

Role Overview

• Position: Principal Controls Engineer
• Sector: Rail & Mega-Infrastructure
• Focus: PLC/SCADA architectures, Tunnel Ventilation Control Systems (TVCS), Station Control Systems, and industrial cyber security.
• Environment: Multidisciplinary, digital-first engineering environment requiring elite systems integration.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Authority & Design Leadership

• Act as the lead technical voice for controls, automation, SCADA, and telemetry systems across major HS2 packages.
• Lead the design of control philosophies, functional design specifications, cause-and-effect matrices, and complex network topologies.
• Establish engineering standards and mentor a growing team of Controls and Design Engineers.

Complex Systems Integration

• Mastermind interfaces between control systems and mechanical, electrical distribution, fire & life safety, and asset management platforms.
• Ensure seamless, secure integration of third-party systems and advanced networked industrial communications.

Assurance & Commissioning

• Drive rigorous design assurance, managing compliance with HS2 Technical Standards , functional safety (SIL), and IEC 62443 industrial cyber security.
• Lead testing strategies, witnessing Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and Site Acceptance Tests (SAT) through to dynamic commissioning and final handover.

Who We Are Looking For

Essential Criteria

• Education: Degree in Control Systems Engineering, Electrical/Automation Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience: Minimum 10+ years in industrial controls, SCADA, or systems engineering—ideally within rail, major utilities, or critical infrastructure.
• Technical Breadth: Deep knowledge of PLC/SCADA principles, control panel design, instrumentation, and functional safety concepts.
• Leadership Capability: Proven track record of managing multidisciplinary interfaces and navigating rigorous engineering governance.

Desirable Extras

• Direct experience on HS2, Network Rail, London Underground , or Crossrail.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or actively working toward it.
• Technical familiarity with enterprise platforms: Siemens (TIA Portal/WinCC), Schneider EcoStruxure, Rockwell , or AVEVA/Wonderware.
• Solid understanding of IEC 61508 / 61511 (Functional Safety).

Why Take This Step?

This is a career-defining position where you won't just follow industry standards—you will set them. You will lead cutting-edge, resilient engineering solutions on a multi-billion-pound programme that is redefining British transport, all while mentoring an ambitious engineering team and expanding your professional legacy.

Apply Today

If you are a visionary automation professional ready to lead world-class infrastructure delivery, we want to hear from you.

Apply directly via LinkedIn or reach out to our talent acquisition team for a confidential career discussion.

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