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

A key operational arm of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Energy Division (ED) regulates Great Britains on and 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.
Our Offshore Electrical, Control & Instrumentation engineers help to ensure employers in the offshore oil & gas sector – and associated essential industries - work safely. In this role, you can utilise your considerable technical knowledge and practical experience to influence not only individual employers but whole industry sectors., 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. Additional responsibilities also include addressing the Network and Information Systems regulation in relation to assuring continuity of essential services for applicable Offshore Oil & Gas Installations.
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 both the NIS regulations and 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 & Support
From day one, you will be supported by your manager, team, and wider colleagues to understand and develop in your role in HSE. We support your continuing professional development directly through training and through stakeholder support and steering.
Whilst working for the HSE and in order to fully understand the legal and enforcement requirements of this role, you will develop your expertise by completing the Specialist Training Programme (STP). This includes a mixture of e-learning and face to face tutorials and requires you to complete a legal assessment. After this training, you’ll then have wider learning opportunities through your Civil Service access.
Location
This post can be based in any of the advertised HSE locations however, our preferred location is Aberdeen and, you will be required to travel for offshore and onshore inspections. 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. 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.
Medical Requirements
You must be able to satisfy the OEUK approved offshore medical & OPITO approved survival training requirements. (BOSIET/MIST)., Full driving license that permits driving within the UK. However, we are willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants without a licence that would allow them to do the job by other means. In that case, please select yes and provide details elsewhere., You will also be asked to complete a Personal Statement, of no more than 1250 words, that demonstrates how you meet the essential skills for the role detailed in the person specification.
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/
Sift Information
The sift will take place during week commencing either 10th, 17th or 24th February 2025 where you will be assessed on your CV and Personal Statement.
Interview Information
Interviews will take place during week commencing 24th February 2025. 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.
At interview, you will be assessed on your experience and the behaviours and technical skills detailed within the advert.
You will also be asked to deliver verbal feedback on a practical Electrical, Control & Cyber Security related scenario that will be shared with you at the interview panel.
AI Tools & Platforms
During the application process candidates are allowed to utilise AI (artificial intelligence) platforms and Tools to support them in writing their Behaviours, CVs and Personal Statements. However, all information submitted must be factually accurate. This includes presenting the ideas and experience of others, or those generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. All presented information will be assessed at the Interview Stage.
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.
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.
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.
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.
We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all disabled applicants who provide evidence of meeting the minimum requirements necessary for the post.
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 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., o UK nationals
o nationals of the Republic of Ireland
o nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
o 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)
o 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)
o individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
o 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 the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Control & Instrumentation
o Must have at least 5 years direct, relevant experience relating to safety-related control &instrumentation systems in the UK offshore oil and gas industry.
o Have sound practical & theoretical control & instrumentation engineering experience, installation maintenance and inspection of electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres, including knowledge and experience of relevant UKCS offshore engineering codes and standards.
o Have experience and in-depth understanding in the risk assessment, design, installation, maintenance and inspection of both process control and safety instrumented systems (SIS). Along with experience in the application of relevant British Standards in the offshore major hazard industry e.g. BS EN61511.
o As a minimum be certified as a Functional Safety Engineer (FS Engineer).
o Knowledge and experience in applying the offshore engineering codes and standards relevant to the UKCS. Be able to satisfy the UK offshore medical & survival training requirements.
o Have an awareness of other Electrical, Control & Instrumentation topics, relevant to the offshore oil &gas industry, such as the following; Fire & Gas Systems, Blowdown systems, PAGA, Emergency Power, UPS, emergency lighting and Process Control & ESD systems.
o Ideally, you will have worked in senior role in relation to the above requirements e.g. in a technical management and / or technical authority position.
Cyber Security
o Have experience and in-depth understanding of cyber risk assessments and methodologies in relation to Operational Technology (OT)/Industrial Automation Control Systems, in the UK offshore oil and gas industry, with an understanding of the application of Cyber Security to critical national infrastructure. You will also be familiar with applying appropriate controls across people, process and technology to mitigate cyber risk. Appropriate cyber security qualification, such as CISSP, ISO27001 Lead auditor, GICSP or SA/IEC 62443 Cyber Security Expert would be desirable.
In addition, you'll have made some impact in your career so far making intelligent, measured decisions in your area, with good analytical skills to spot underlying issues.
o You are able to work independently to contribute to a busy and supportive team, working flexibly, with frequent travel.
o You can plan and manage delivery of priorities against very challenging deadlines.
o You can network and communicate effectively as part of a team, building robust relationships with employers and other partners.
o You are articulate with well-developed written communication and interpersonal skills to establish professional credibility and authority.
o You have the ability to present to technical audiences on offshore Electrical Control & Cyber Security engineering topics.
o You will represent HSE as an expert within offshore Electrical Control & Cyber Security engineering related standards bodies and stakeholder groups., A degree in electrical, electronic or control Engineering; or an equivalent qualification in a closely related subject together with competence and knowledge gained through extensive experience in the field of offshore electrical, control & instrumentation engineering., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
o Making Effective Decisions
o Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
o Experience relating to Instrumentation, Control, protection and mitigation systems.
o Experience in the risk assessment, design, installation, operation, maintenance and inspection of process control, measurement, safety instrumented protection systems (SIF/SIS) and Emergency shutdown (ESD) systems.
o Knowledge and experience in the application of offshore engineering codes and standards, relevant to the UKCS Offshore Oil & Gas industry.
o Knowledge and experience in the application of Cyber Security standards to Industrial Control Systems (ICS), relevant to the UKCS Offshore Oil & Gas industry.
o Awareness of other Electrical, Control & instrumentation topics, relevant to the UKCS Offshore Oil &Gas industry, i.e. Explosive atmospheres and associated equipment, Fire and Gas systems, Blowdown systems, PAGA, Emergency power and UPS.

Alongside your salary of £71,171, Health and Safety Executive contributes £20,618 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
o Learning and development tailored to your role
o An environment with flexible working options
o A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
o Competitive rates of pay
o Access to the Civil Service pension scheme of which your employer contributes over 28.97%, far more than the private sector
o Family friendly policies and working hours to help balance your home life and career
o 25 days annual holiday, increasing to 30 after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays and 1-day Civil Service privilege leave
o Parental leave benefits
o 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 Eden Red.