Chief Instrumentation & Controls Engineer

Chief Instrumentation & Controls Engineer

Wood Group

Reading, United Kingdom

The Role

The Chief Instrument & Control Engineer provides strategic discipline leadership and technical authority across all phases of Concept, FEED, and EPC execution for oil, gas, and green energy projects. The role is accountable for ensuring safe, compliant, and cost‑effective I&C engineering solutions that meet project requirements, industry standards, and client expectations.

While assigned to an active project, the Chief I&C Engineer will also act as the primary technical focal point for Instrumentation & Control, driving engineering quality, supporting business growth, and strengthening the technical capability of the discipline. The position ensures teams are equipped to deliver multiple concurrent projects with consistency, technical excellence, and strong stakeholder confidence. The role can present opportunities for both project and people leadership working in a range of interesting and diverse sectors including:

• Upstream/Midstream/Downstream Oil & Gas
• Chemicals
• Renewable Energy
• Power
• Mining & Minerals
• Industrials & Manufacturing
• Life Sciences
• Transportation
• Water
• Government services

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the I&C Discipline Manager to define the vision, strategy, and long‑term development of the Control and Instrumentation discipline;
• Provide technical leadership, execution support, and governance across all assigned projects;
• Acts as the primary technical interface with clients, licensors, suppliers, and other departments, ensuring alignment of I&C scope, technical requirements, and critical engineering decisions throughout the project lifecycle;
• Provide technical direction of the Instrumentation and Control Engineering and Design activities, acting as the technical focal point for the Group, including project set-up, execution, close-out and punch lists;
• Manage the technical and execution aspects of Operational Alerts and Lessons Learnt. Ensuring effective communication to the I&C Engineers and Designers and integration of learnings into Procedures, Technical Work Practices and Standards;
• Focal point and contact for the remote India Operations centre and other affiliates offices in providing technical support and development of workshare with other offices;
• Support the development, monitoring, and maintenance of I&C engineering metrics, including standard quantities, man‑hour norms, and benchmarking based on project performance;
• Support the Instrumentation and Control Engineering systems and tools software including validation, keeping abreast of latest market developments, training and ensuring correct deployment on to Projects;
• Mentor and develop Instrument and Control Engineers, contributing to technical career progression and succession planning within the group;
• Deputise for the Discipline Manager as required;
• Support the training and mentoring of Instrument and Control graduates, including departmental rotation, competency development, and progression toward Chartered Engineer (CEng) status. Provide guidance for professional institute applications where appropriate;
• Keep up to date with latest industry practices, standards and product development, and disseminate to the group;
• Prepare I&C discipline proposal inputs, including man‑hour estimates, schedules, and execution narratives, under the direction of the Discipline Manager.

Qualifications

What makes you remarkable?

At Wood, we are committed to equal opportunities and welcome all talented individuals to consider joining our team. So even if you don't match every statement below but feel you have some of the experience, knowledge or skills needed for this role, we encourage you to apply. It will take all of us working together to deliver solutions to the world’s most critical challenges

Expected:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumentation & Control or related engineering discipline;
• Extensive Instrument & Control engineering experience in oil & gas or energy sectors;
• Proven discipline leadership across Concept, FEED, and EPC phases;
• Strong background in safety‑critical control systems and the functional safety lifecycle (IEC 61511);
• Experience approving key engineering deliverables, vendor documentation, and control system designs;
• Demonstrated capability in managing multi‑discipline interfaces;
• Experience in estimating, proposal development, and discipline execution planning;
• Established technical authority with the ability to align engineering decisions;
• Strong communication and management skills.

Desirable:

• Master’s degree in engineering or engineering management (advantageous);
• Chartered Engineer or equivalent professional registration (desirable);
• Certified Functional Safety Professional/Engineer, e.g., TÜV/CFSP / CFSE (desirable);
• Relevant training in control systems, automation platforms, or cybersecurity (advantageous).