Principal Engineer C&I (Design Authority) in Capenhurst

Help us to make a world of difference

Urenco is a global leader in the production of low carbon energy. We work at the cutting edge of the transition to a sustainable, net zero world.

We are looking for a Principal Engineer - Control and Instrumentation (Design Authority) to join our team at the Capenhurst site. In this role, you will support the Group Design Authority Manager by overseeing part of the Design Authority function and providing leadership across the C&I discipline.

You will manage a team of Senior Engineers and Engineers within Control & Instrumentation and Automation, ensuring high technical standards, effective delivery and consistent ways of working. When required, you will also provide cross‑discipline leadership to senior engineers in your area of responsibility, offering guidance, support and technical direction.

At Urenco we’re committed to giving you opportunities to be your best. If you feel you meet some, but not all of what we're looking for, please still apply. We believe in embracing the passion and potential of our people, and to achieve this we offer market leading training and development experiences. Along with the opportunity to be mentored and coached by some of the smartest minds in the industry.

What you’ll do:

Provide line management and leadership to a Design Authority engineering team within your area of expertise, typically consisting of 6–10 direct reports.
Promote high team performance that reflects Urenco’s values, culture and behaviours, fostering a positive and collaborative working environment.
Ensure consistency and alignment in plant design by maintaining Urenco’s standards and specifications, ensuring they are accurate, relevant and up to date.
Champion a proactive safety culture, carrying out analysis and encouraging learning‑from‑experience behaviours across the team.
Allocate engineering resources in agreement with the Group Design Authority Manager and internal Urenco stakeholders such as Design Managers.
Work with Design Engineering to define and deliver training and development programmes that ensure all Engineering & Design Authority personnel are Suitable Qualified and Experienced Persons (SQEP).
Anticipate business, technological and Design Authority needs, ensuring the team is prepared for future demands and emerging challenges.
Support the Group Design Authority Manager in achieving Design Authority objectives and managing the associated budget.
Define and develop standardised plant and facility technologies, drawing on Urenco best practice and state‑of‑the‑art engineering solutions to ensure the organisation remains competitive.
What do you need to thrive in this role?

Bachelor’s degree in Control and Instrumentation Engineering or Electrical Engineering.
A recognised professional engineering registration, such as Chartered Engineer (CEng) or an equivalent international licence, is also acceptable.
Proven experience managing engineering teams responsible for delivering or assuring design for medium‑ to large‑scale plant systems.
Demonstrated leadership within complex design and engineering projects, providing direction, oversight and technical governance.
Experience leading a team of highly skilled experts, ensuring high standards of technical quality and performance.
Track record of delivering complex design packages and engineering projects, ensuring compliance with regulatory, safety and quality requirements.
Strong capability in managing standards and specifications for both new and existing systems and technologies.
Senior‑level experience in defining and justifying design solutions to support integrated safety analysis and safety‑in‑design requirements.
What can you expect from us?

More than just a job, we offer a future. More than just a place to work, we provide an opportunity to prosper. As an employee of Urenco you will receive:

Generous Annual Leave: Starting at 25 days, increasing by one day every two years (up to 30 days), plus 13 additional flexible days. Option to buy or sell up to 5 holiday days.
Family-Friendly Policies: A wide range of policies to support work-life balance and family needs.
Bonus Scheme: A competitive bonus scheme based on company and individual performance.
Pension Scheme: Defined contribution plan with up to 16% employer contribution.
Private Medical & Dental Cover: Single coverage with the option to purchase additional benefits.
Flexible Benefits: Life assurance, income protection, and other options tailored to your lifestyle, with tax and Insurance savings.
Training & Development: A focus on continuous learning, with personalised training packages to support your career growth, including mandatory health and safety courses.
Security vetting

Due to the nature of the industry that Urenco operates in, all personnel regardless of employment status working for Urenco are required to obtain security clearance at the level required for their role. Security clearances are assessed in accordance with regulations and official guidance issued by the relevant competent authorities for security vetting. In certain circumstances, additional enhanced security clearance considerations apply to roles within Urenco owing to the particular activities that the Urenco Group undertakes in relation to uranium enrichment. Successful candidates will need to satisfy security requirements, and all offers of appointment are made subject to the successful approval of all checks initiated.

Creating a diverse and inclusive workforce

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. As part of this commitment, we are implementing anonymized CV screening. Your CV will be presented without any personal information that could identify you (e.g., name, contact details, , , etc.). This helps us focus on your qualifications and potential, ensuring a fair and unbiased assessment process.

As a truly global company with a presence in the UK, USA, Germany, and the Netherlands, we know that our individual make us stronger. Putting people at the heart of our business, we strive to create an open and inclusive workplace that allows every voice to be heard and to thrive. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process, please let our talent acquisition team know.

Because together, we are one Urenco. We are enriching the world. And enriching your future