HM Specialist Inspector – Electrical, Control & Cyber Security

Job description

HSE Specialist Inspectors work across all of GB and whilst we would consider all CEMHD office locations we would be particularly interested in applicants who would be based in HSE offices in: Scotland, North East, Wales and South West. For a list of HSE Office locations please see HSE Office Locations.

Your main responsibility is to address major accident hazards in relation to Electrical, Control and Cyber Security at onshore major hazard installations, which includes oil refineries, oil and gas storage, chemicals production, and some nuclear sites.

We will be holding a Virtual Q+A on the 28th September 2026 at 12:00 midday, if you would like to attend this session, please contact peter.evans@hse.gov.uk so that we can send you a virtual Microsoft Teams invite where you will get the chance to find out more about the role and ask any questions you feel are necessary.

Key Responsibilities

• Inspect a variety of major hazard installations, either on your own or as part of an expert team, to make sure risks associated with industrial control systems are suitably managed and that operators comply with the law.
• Carry out technical assessment of Safety Reports provided by major hazard sites (both new and existing).
• Investigate safety related accidents and incidents involving industrial control systems in the major hazards industries.
• The production of technical inspection reports that identify risk gaps and failure(s) to comply with the law.
• Taking suitable enforcement action to address significant risk gaps on operator’s sites e.g., prohibiting processes or activities.
• Forensic analysis of the electrical or control systems elements of accidents in major hazards industries in order to identify root causes and where necessary, leading the technical aspects of the investigation, calling in other expert support and supporting legal enforcement action to prevent a recurrence.
• Provide expert opinion on the management of industrial control systems and, when required, work as a specialist investigator or expert witness at tribunals, inquests and legal proceedings.
• Assessment of Safety Reports submitted by organisations to ensure effective management of risk and identify priority areas for inspection.
• Advise colleagues on technical matters out with their area of expertise e.g., standards for electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres, and how the conditions compare with minimum legal requirements and relevant good practice.
• Liaise with other Government departments, the public, industry, professional bodies and trade associations in order to secure intelligence, share information and contribute towards policy, research and guidance on functional safety, electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres and cyber security for Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS).
• Using your expertise and experience to drive improvements in technical and operational standards nationally and to promote better health and safety at UK forums, and at relevant conferences.

Training requirements

Whilst working for the HSE and in order to fully understand the legal and enforcement requirements of this role, you will be expected to develop your expertise by completing role specific training. For Cyber Security specifically, HSE will provide a full development package to equip the successful candidate to assess this topic in line with HSE Operational Guidance (OG86) and other relevant standards e.g. IEC 62443.

Given that HSE regulates sites across the whole of the United Kingdom you will be expected to spend short periods working away from home which will include overnight stays.

Inspectors are required to work as part of a national team, with travel around UK to land-based high hazard sites, typically spending a day or two at duty holder sites both in an office environment and also out on the process plant. This is typically followed by a period analysing the inspection findings and producing a technical report.

Person specification

The role of a Specialist Inspector is challenging yet rewarding and offers a breadth of work that is unique across a huge variety of industrial sites and processes. Inspectors can be involved in detailed technical analysis of safety reports on one day, inspecting complex control systems and talking with engineering staff on site the next or perhaps involved in the aftermath of a major accident, working to find out the root causes and prevent a re-occurrence.

It’s also an engineering role where you may be appearing in Court as an expert witness or perhaps working with committees on new Standards to drive improvements in industry.

You’ll often have to make difficult decisions and use your enforcement powers to ensure compliance with the law, but you’ll receive world class training to give you the skills to do this.

Essential Skills and criteria

• Previous experience in a Technical Engineering role.
• Experience in communication and influence across different levels, including senior management within an organization, effectively translating technical details for the intended audience.
• Experience of producing detailed and clear technical reports, and present complex technical information, including those for a non-technical audience.
• Ability to think strategically, identify underlying issues, and persuade and influence individuals at all levels.
• Have a breadth and depth of experience of working in Major Hazards / High Consequence / COMAH environment.

At HSE, we are proud to be able to offer our people the opportunity to work in a hybrid way which combines working from home and the office. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement, and your allocated office will be your contractual place of work.

There will be a requirement to travel to the office for various activities, e.g., collaborative working, supporting and training colleagues. If hybrid working is suitable for you and your role, you will be expected to attend the office, or other business-related site, for 60% of your working week. The arrangements will be determined primarily by business need, but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account.

Therefore, we would encourage candidates to consider if the commute from home to the office is a feasible distance to travel before making an application. Please note that if you are successful, hybrid working will be discussed prior to taking up the post.

Licences

A full driving license