Lead Instrumentation Engineer - Reading, UK

Contract: 12 months

Pay Rate: £56.91/ph - £75.31/ph

Our client is seeking an experienced Lead Instrumentation Engineer to join their integrated project team during a major pre‑FEED programme. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of a world‑scale mixed‑feed steam cracker and a series of significant refinery upgrades. The role will suit a senior technical specialist who enjoys shaping engineering definition, influencing design decisions and ensuring safe, reliable and efficient facility development.

Job Overview

As the Lead Instrumentation Engineer, you will be responsible for guiding engineering strategy, overseeing contractor performance and providing deep subject‑matter expertise across instrumentation and control systems. You will play a central part in optimising scope, managing technical risk and ensuring that project deliverables meet the required level of definition for pre‑FEED and FEED stages. This position demands broad experience, strong communication skills and the ability to drive technical excellence.

Core Activities as a Lead Instrumentation Engineer

Provide expert technical leadership to ensure designs align with project objectives, philosophies and engineering standards. Support value‑improvement initiatives, capital‑efficiency studies and design optimisation activities. Develop, own, and refine engineering standards, specifications, philosophies and procedures across instrumentation and related disciplines. Oversee contractor deliverables to ensure completeness, consistency, and compliance with project requirements. Contribute to scope development for FEED and EPC contracts and participate in technical evaluation of bidders. Provide guidance on instrumentation and control systems, including specialist tools, technology applications and modularised design considerations. Review Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS), Fire and Gas systems, SIL calculations, bypass strategies and testing philosophies. Support HAZOP, LOPA, SIL assignment and other safety‑related engineering activities. Give key input into turbomachinery control, anti‑surge systems, vibration monitoring and equipment protection strategies. Advise on custody transfer measurement, flow computers, analysers, metering configurations, sampling and calibration practices. Participate in design reviews, coordination meetings, and engineering surveillance activities.Requirements

(Essential)

Minimum of 15 years' experience in instrumentation engineering within downstream, refining, petrochemical or related heavy‑industrial projects. Hands‑on experience with specialist tools, systems and risk‑based decision‑making. Strong understanding of engineering standards, design basis development and technical documentation. Experience working in both operator and contractor environments. Experience with large modular design and execution strategies. Excellent leadership, communication and collaboration skills.(Desirable)

Experience with Middle Eastern projects or exposure to major global energy operators. Familiarity with downstream units such as hydroprocessing, ethylene cracking, sour gas treatment, or refinery utilities.Ready to take your next career step? Click Apply Now for a confidential chat!

This vacancy is being advertised by Belcan