Overview

As a Control Systems Engineer, you will play a critical role in ensuring the long-term integrity, reliability, and performance of high-risk operational assets and new-build projects. Your technical expertise will directly impact the safety, environmental compliance, and commercial success of thermal generation infrastructure. You will support projects through all phases—from concept and design to commissioning—while also contributing to the continuous improvement of engineering standards and practices across the business.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support control systems engineering activities across all project phases—involving concept design, construction, and commissioning—for major capital projects in the thermal generation portfolio.
• Ensure the medium- to long-term integrity and performance of high-risk operational assets by applying advanced control systems knowledge and risk-based strategies.
• Develop and maintain engineering and design standards to ensure compliance with industry regulations, internal governance, and functional safety requirements (e.g., IEC 61508).
• Provide specialist control systems expertise to project teams and operational staff, including guidance on DCS technologies, cybersecurity (OT), digitisation, fiscal metering, and environmental monitoring systems.
• Ensure successful project execution by managing technical deliverables, reviewing design changes, and identifying and mitigating potential deviations during project delivery.

Qualifications and Experience

• Higher level education or relevant industrial experience, including understanding plant operation and appropriate risk controls. Affiliation with the IET and actively working toward Chartered Engineer status is desirable.
• Proven ability to apply engineering principles to control systems, with progressing experience in areas such as system design, verification, functional safety, and commissioning of new installations or technologies.
• Demonstrated understanding and application of safety, health, and environmental practices within control systems engineering, ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational standards.
• Experience applying engineering design and project standards, with the ability to lead defined work scopes and deliver high-quality outcomes on time and to specification.
• Strong stakeholder communication skills, with the ability to lead technical discussions, develop engineering conclusions, and influence project direction across multidisciplinary teams.

About SSE

SSE has a bold ambition - to be a leading energy company in a net zero world. We’re investing around £10 million a day in homegrown energy to help power a cleaner, more secure future. SSE Thermal keeps the lights on for millions of people while pioneering low-carbon technologies. From ground-breaking carbon capture and storage projects to plans for what might be the world's first hydrogen-fired power station, we're transforming how we generate energy.

Salary

Salary: £50,100k - £75,100 + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern

Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available. Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships. Wellbeing benefits include a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service. Interest-free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme. Generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.