AVENTA
Principal Engineer, Telecommunications & Security
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About the client
Our client is the UK engineering projects division of a major international energy company. From a landmark, modern integrated operations office in central Basingstoke - with ample parking and only a short walk from the mainline railway station - it develops projects and provides expert owner-engineering support to the group's businesses worldwide. The division is helping to lead the energy transition, combining traditional oil and gas activity with decarbonised and innovative solutions such as carbon capture and storage, hydrogen and renewables as the group moves towards a net-zero future.
Project scope
The role sits within an Instrumentation and Automation team supporting a global portfolio of energy projects across the full life cycle - feasibility, FEED, detailed engineering, EPC support and decommissioning - on both onshore and offshore facilities. The Telecommunications and Security discipline delivers robust communications and security systems across conventional energy and fast-growing energy-transition projects such as carbon capture and renewables, offering the opportunity to develop skills in new technologies on dynamic international projects.
Role overview
The Principal Engineer operates as the Telecommunications and Security technical engineer and Project Discipline Lead (PDL) across all project phases. Leading a team of engineers and designers, they drive project performance through the full life cycle, ensuring deliverables are met, budget and schedule are adhered to and the technical integrity of the design is maintained, taking full accountability for assigned tasks.
Reporting line: Reports to the Chief Engineer, Instrumentation and Automation and works closely with the Project Engineering Manager; liaises with the I&A discipline, the client's ICT telecommunications and corporate security functions, suppliers and other engineering disciplines.
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Key responsibilities
Technical design and deliverables
- Performs detailed calculations (optical link budgets, volt-drop, etc.) and owns their accuracy and quality.
- Prepares and checks T&S deliverables: philosophies, specifications, block diagrams and architectures, and cable specifications, lists and schedules.
- Performs CCTV and PA/GA coverage studies and prepares T&S bills of materials and material take-offs.
- Supports designers on architectures, cable routings, control and equipment room layouts, and field equipment location drawings.
Standards, safety and quality
- Ensures design methods, standards and technical data meet company, local and international requirements.
- Maintains a high standard of safety and follows environmental and quality assurance processes.
- Keeps abreast of new legislation and industry standards for plant design and performance.
Reviews, procurement and testing
- Carries out technical bid evaluations and liaises with telecoms and security system suppliers.
- Attends design reviews (plot plan, 3D model, coverage studies) and carries out FATs, inspections and SATs.
Leadership and coordination
- Leads a team of engineers and designers, acting as and supporting the I&A and/or T&S PDL.
- Liaises closely with the I&A discipline, ICT telecommunications, the client's security functions and other disciplines.
- Monitors project budgets with the Project Engineering Manager and Chief Engineer and supports manhour estimates and proposals.
Key deliverables
- T&S deliverables prepared and checked (philosophies, specifications, block diagrams, cable lists and schedules).
- Detailed calculations and coverage studies completed to quality (optical link budgets, CCTV, PA/GA).
- Technical bid evaluations completed and suppliers engaged.
- FATs, inspections and SATs attended and closed out.
- Design delivered to budget, schedule and technical integrity across the project life cycle.
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Requirements
Education
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline; professional accreditation preferred.
Experience
Must-have:
- Proven knowledge of T&S requirements in conventional oil and gas, carbon capture and renewable energy.
- Experience of onshore and offshore projects and of producing T&S documents.
- Experience performing FATs and leading teams on large and small projects.
- Detailed experience of core T&S systems: fibre optic cable networks (including subsea umbilicals), T&S cabling infrastructure, PA/GA, process CCTV, and navigation, marine and security systems.
Nice-to-have:
- SAT and commissioning experience; T&S engineering for large industrial facilities (operations, maintenance or design).
- Working knowledge of ICT systems: WANs (terrestrial, microwave and satellite), 5G mobile, LAN/WiFi, IP telephony, plant/marine/aeronautical radio and ICT cybersecurity.
Technical skills
- Telecommunications and security systems design and engineering across onshore and offshore facilities.
- Calculations and coverage studies (optical link budgets, CCTV, PA/GA).
Soft skills
- Strong communication, planning and organisation.
- Leadership and full accountability for assigned tasks.
- Effective time management to meet project goals.
- Collaboration across engineering disciplines.
- Fluent English.
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