Offshore Electrical & Control Systems Engineer – Control & Instrumentation and Cyber Security (Band 3/SEO)

Job summary

A key operational arm of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Energy Division (ED) regulates Great Britain's Offshore Oil and Gas Industry, pipelines, mines, diving and renewables sector. We employ around 140 professional engineers and scientists to do this. Respected internationally for our independent status and integrity, we have a long-standing reputation for technical expertise which can be applied logically to deliver effective, proportionate solutions enabling hazardous activities to be managed safely.

As a specialist inspector of Electrical, Control & Instrumentation (EC&I), you will be an essential part of what Energy Division do. You will use your technical knowledge and expertise to regulate offshore oil and gas, and activities related to those operations, by addressing the suitability of Electrical, Control, Instrumentation and Cyber Security arrangements for all potential major accident hazards, and the hazards in relation to Electrical & Control operations. In this frontline role, you can influence not only individual organisations but the sector as a whole.

Working Pattern

Please note that due to the nature and volume of the work and travel, this role is only suitable for full time working.

Job description

Key Responsibilities

For this particular EC&I role, we are looking for a professional with a bias towards control & instrumentation systems and cyber security in the offshore oil and gas or petrochemical process industry, who has the knowledge and understanding of the design, installation, operation and maintenance of control & instrumentation systems to achieve and maintain safety in the offshore oil and gas environment.

As part of the overall responsibilities of the role, you will carry out the full range of duties of an HSE Specialist Inspector including:

• Assessment of safety cases drawing conclusions on the adequacy of the demonstration, raising issues, or considering future inspection work.
• Investigations of incidents or complaints as part of a multi-discipline team dealing with enforcement or supporting others as necessary on technical aspects.
• Inspections (on/offshore) as part of a multi-discipline team, completing reports and issuing different levels of enforcement depending on the risk present.
• Electrical, Control & Instrumentation based inspections covering topics such as; Functional Safety Management, EX Equipment, Fire & Gas systems, Process Control & ESD systems etc.
• Cyber Security Inspections for Major Hazard risks.
• Preparation of technical reports / expert evidence for various levels of legal proceedings.
• Provision of expert advice on health and safety matters associated with Electrical, Control & Cyber Security Engineering within Energy Division, HSE, industry and other relevant stakeholders.
• Represent HSE in standards committees to drive improvements in technical and operational standards, such as JPEL/18, Energy Institute, ATEX, IEC61511 and any stakeholder meetings, such as; OEUK Electrical or Control & Instrumentation Technical Groups.

Training

Whilst working for the HSE and in order to fully understand the legal and enforcement requirements of this role, you will be expected to develop your expertise by completing role specific training.

Location

This post can be based in any of the advertised HSE locations, however, Aberdeen is a central point for the purposes of travelling to an offshore installation and youwill be required to travel for offshore and onshore inspections, as well as meetings with duty holders. Please see here for details of HSE locations.

Travel

In role, you will spend on average 2-3 night stays offshore (subject to weather) approximately 6-8 times a year for proactive inspection or reactive investigation work, which may potentially be at short notice, all within a small multi-discipline team. As part of the overall proactive inspection approach, onshore inspections may also be required, the frequency, duration and location of which will be dependent upon those being inspected.

While onshore this role offers a hybrid working pattern where your working week can be split between your home and your local HSE office, details of which can be discussed prior to taking up the role. This role will also involve visits to other HSE sites including Aberdeen, with some potential overnight stays (including at short notice).

Medical & Offshore Requirements

You must be able to satisfy the OEUK approved offshore medical & OPITO approved survival training requirements. (BOSIET/MIST).

Person specification

Essential skills and criteria

• Technical Expertise

You will have a breadth of practical experience and knowledge (equivalent to a Senior or Technical Authority role) in safety-related Control & Instrumentation (C&I) engineering and Operational Technology (OT) cyber security within the UK offshore major hazard oil & gas industry, including the management of risks associated with safety-critical systems.

You will demonstrate deep knowledge of offshore engineering and industrial cyber security standards, providing authoritative advice on their application to industrial control systems and associated safety-critical equipment.

• Standards and Compliance

You will have experience of providing technical advice on compliance with relevant legislation, standards and recognised good practice relating to C&I engineering, functional safety, hazardous area equipment or OT cyber security, relevant to the UK Offshore Oil & Gas Sector. This should include:

You will have substantial Knowledge and practical application of functional safety principles and standards, such as IEC 61511. Candidates should hold a recognised Functional Safety certification (e.g. TÜV FS Engineer) or be able to demonstrate equivalent experience through significant involvement in the assessment, implementation, assurance or lifecycle management of Safety Instrumented Systems.

You will have substantial Knowledge and application of OT/IACS cyber security principles and standards, such as IEC 62443. Relevant professional cyber security certifications (e.g. CISSP, GICSP, ISO 27001 Lead Auditor or ISA/IEC 62443 Cyber Security Expert) demonstrating competence in OT/IACS cyber security.

• Analysis and Risk Management

You will have the ability to analyse complex technical information to identify underlying weaknesses in C&I engineering, functional safety, OT cyber security and risk management arrangements, and to communicate findings effectively to influence improvement.

• Professional Judgement

You will have the ability to make sound, evidence-based decisions and apply independent engineering judgement when assessing technical risks, compliance issues and safety-critical systems for both C&I and OT.

• Communication and Delivery

You will have the ability to organise and manage technical work, delivering outcomes to agreed timescales and standards, and to communicate complex C&I or OT technical issues clearly through high-quality reports, presentations and discussions with both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Working Relationships

You will have the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams, building constructive professional relationships with colleagues, duty holders, verification bodies and other stakeholders while managing personal workload and priorities.

Licences

A full driving licence that enables you to drive in the UK is essential. This should be held at the point of application.

Qualifications

A degree in electrical, electronic or control Engineering;

OR

An equivalent level qualification (e.g RQF Level 6 or SCQF Level 9/10) in a closely related subject together with competence and knowledge gained through extensive experience in the field of offshore electrical, control & instrumentation engineering.

Memberships

Chartered by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) or hold the necessary qualifications, skills and experience to become chartered by the IET (or other relevant chartered Professional Body).

If you hold the necessary qualifications, skills and experience to become chartered whilst in post, please answer YES to this question within your application form.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Government Science and Engineering Career Framework - Building and Applying Knowledge - Applying Knowledge - Leading skill level
• Government Science and Engineering Framework - Technical Oversight and Management - Overseeing technical work - Leading skill level

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £73,335, Health and Safety Executive contributes £21,245 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

We invest in our people with;

• Competitive rates of pay
• Access to the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme to which HSE contribute 28.97% far more than in the private sector.
• Family friendly policies and working hours to help balance your home life and career
• Carer friendly policies to help create a supportive working culture
• 185 hours annual holiday increasing to 222 hours after 5 years' service, plus bank holidays and 1-day Civil Service privilege leave (recorded as 7.4 hours) in addition to your annual leave balance).
• Parental leave benefits
• As a member of HSE you will gain access to a wide range of fantastic benefits that you can take advantage of such as the Cycle to Work Scheme, E-Gift Cards, and Vouchers via our partner EdenRed.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Application Information

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete an anonymised CV which should include your career history, skills relevant to the role, experience, qualifications, and professional memberships.

Please ensure you tailor your CV to match the Essential Skills and Criteria as listed within the advert.

You will also be asked to complete an anonymised Personal Statement, of no more than 1250 words which demonstrates how you meet the Essential Skills and Criteria of the job advert.

Application Guidance

Please access the following link for guidance on how to apply and how to complete a personal statement https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/how-to-apply/

Please access the following link regarding the Government Science and Engineering Framework: Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Career Framework, November 2021 (Version 2)

Sift Information

The sift will take place during week commencing 2nd November 2026 where you will be assessed on your CV and Personal Statement.

Interview Information

Interviews will take place during week commencing 9th November 2026 when you will be assessed on the Behaviours and Technical skills detailed within the advert, as well as your Strengths and Experience.

As part of your interview, you will also be required to deliver a short presentation which will be used to assess the Behaviour 'Communicating and Influencing' and the Technical Skill - 'Building and Applying Knowledge'. Further details of this will be sent to candidates invited to interview. In addition, you will be asked to provide verbal feedback on practical Electrical, Control, and Cyber Security scenarios presented during the interview which will be used to assess your Behaviour Making Effective Decisions, and the Technical Skill 'Technical Oversight and Management'.The technical skill 'Technical Oversight and Management - Overseeing technical work (Leading)' will be used in the event of a tie-break.

The interviews will be held in-person at our Aberdeen office AB21 0BR however, online interviews via Microsoft Teams can be arranged in exceptional circumstances.

Both sift and interview dates may be subject to change due to panel availability.

Sponsorship

This role is not open to application from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system. Should you apply for this role and require sponsorship your application will be rejected, and any provisional offers of employment will be withdrawn.

Further Information

Due to the nature of security checks undertaken, applicants must have 3 years continuous residency in the UK up to the date of the application and, Home Office approval for indefinite leave to remain within the UK.

Please note that a Reserve List will be held for the period of up to 12 months. There is no guarantee you will be offered a role from our reserve lists, so if you see a vacancy on Civil Service Jobs that you are interested in, we recommend you apply.

HSE reserve the right to conduct additional checks, including Google and social media checks, when recruiting candidates into a role within HSE. These checks will be carried out in line with the Civil Service Commission Principles and, if used all candidates will be subject to these additional checks.

From 23rd June 2025, if you are successful at interview, as part of your pre-employment checks, HSE’s Recruitment Team are required to check your details against the Internal Fraud Hub (IFH), using your personal details – name, NINO, and date of birth. If you are included on the database, you will be refused employment. If you believe that there has been an error in the inclusion of your data and wish to make an appeal, please contact the CO email box internal.fraud@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

Details of the types of internal fraud/dishonesty covered by this process are defined by the Cabinet Office and can be found here Internal Fraud Register privacy notice - GOV.UK

It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful in their application. For a summary of HSE terms and conditions as part of Civil Service Reform, please see the attached HSE Terms and Conditions document.

Progression through pay ranges is subject to annual pay awards as permitted within annual Civil Service pay remit guidance and negotiations with Trade Unions.

HSE is proud to be a part of the Disability Confidence Scheme (DCS). As a Disability Confident employer, we positively welcome applications from disabled people. We are committed to making workplace adjustments to ensure anyone can participate in the recruitment and selection process.

If, during the application or interview process, you require any assistance due to a disability or a medical condition, please contact us at the email address below to discuss how we can support you. For example, if you have a disability, and you need an application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please contact: HR.Resourcing-Team@hse.gov.uk

If successful in securing your role, HSE can provide suitable workplace adjustments to support you throughout your career with HSE.

Any move to HSE from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here.

Please note, if you are a current civil servant and you are currently undergoing any of the following formal actions your application will not be progressed any further; Formal discipline action, any formal action regarding attendance, poor performance or any restriction of duties as a result of disciplinary action.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : John Pirie
• Email : John.Pirie@hse.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : hr.resourcing-team@hse.gov.uk

Further information

If you believe that Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition have not been met, you can raise a complaint by emailing: HR.Resourcing-Team@hse.gov.uk or by writing to HSE at the following address:

HR Resourcing Team, 2.3 Redgrave Court, Merton Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L20 7HS. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact Civil Service commissioners:

https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/code/civilservicecode…

Attachments

HSE Terms and Conditions - CSJ Advert Annex Opens in new window (pdf, 116kB)