UK Atomic Energy Authority
Principal Control & Instrumentation Engineer

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Company Description
By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in contributing and helping to shape the future of the world’s energy? If so, read on.
Fusion, the process that powers the Sun and Stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs.
UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research for ground breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid, supported by tomorrow's power stations. In pursuit of our mission, UKAEA embraces core values: Innovative, Committed, Trusted, and Collaborative.
As an employee of UKAEA you will benefit from:
- Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
- Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).
- Flexible working options including family friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment.
- Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders,
- Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays
- Wide range of career development opportunities
- A vibrant culture committed to equality and being fully inclusive
What to expect in our recruitment process:
For a step-by-step overview of how we hire from application to offer please see our Recruitment Process page: careers.ukaea.uk/join-us/recruitment-process
Job Description
This role is based at Culham, Oxfordshire. Onsite working is expected, however we can also discuss hybrid working where possible, depending on business needs.
This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions and possibly a search of open source data.
The Role
The Control and Instrumentation Group is responsible for leading, proposing, defining, building, commissioning, and maintaining electrical, control and instrumentation systems, both at a small and large scale for UKAEA projects and programmes. We are seeking a technically exceptional Principal Control & Instrumentation Engineer. The focus of this role is to lead and enable successful development, delivery, operation, maintenance, and enhancement of the H3AT (Hydrogen-3 Advanced Technology centre) Project’s advanced electrical, control and instrumentation systems, ensuring compliance with current legislation and codes of practice.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
As Principal Control & Instrumentation Engineer, you will provide high-level technical leadership and innovation in a complex, often unprecedented field. You will be responsible for delivering high-impact solutions on time and within budget.
If you have excellent communication and technical writing skills, along with a proven track record of successfully delivering complex Electrical, Control & Instrumentation projects on time and within budget, we’d like to hear from you.
Overview
The Principal Control & Instrumentation Engineer is responsible for leading the delivery of complex technical projects. A summary of key responsibilities is outlined below. Full details are provided in the Job Description.
- Lead complex EC&I projects from concept to delivery, including critical systems with site-wide or external impact.
- Setting direction and advising on design, installation, and operational strategies.
- Create and implement new technical standards, processes, and risk mitigation where no formal procedures exist.
- Represent UKAEA externally, contribute to technical development, and mentor junior engineers.
Qualifications
Essential:
- A Degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, or a related discipline, and relevant professional experience in an E,C&I engineering role. Or an HND in an Electrical/Electronic discipline, or equivalent qualification level, with a greater breadth and depth of experience/knowledge.
- A broad and deep understanding of design and related engineering processes, practices, current standards, and industry best-practice.
- A good understanding and willingness to work to modern standards in health, safety, environment, and quality assurance.
- Experience of working within high hazard Industrial environment.
- Good communication and influencing skills with the ability to work and communicate with an interdisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, technicians, and external stakeholders.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Desirable:
- Chartered Engineer status with a suitable professional institution.
- Functional Safety qualifications (e.g. TÜV Rheinland FSEng)
Additional Information
A full list of our benefits can be found here https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/
UKAEA's mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds who want to help us achieve our mission. We are under-represented from some groups and so want to encourage applications in particular from women in STEM, people from Black British Caribbean and African backgrounds and from Pakistani and Bangladeshi British backgrounds. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) and Wellbeing and our EDI Networks actively promote Inclusion and takes steps to increase diversity within our organization. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.
UK Atomic Energy Authority is committed to being accessible. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.
Salary: £71,815 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
Division: Integrated Engineering
Site Location: UKAEA Culham, Oxfordshire
Confirmed Grade: Grade I
Department: Electrical Engineering
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills