The ICSS Principal Engineer leads the design, implementation, and lifecycle management of Integrated Control and Safety Systems (ICSS) for process industries. This role ensures compliance with IEC 61508/61511 functional safety standards, ABB engineering practices, and TÜV-certified methodologies. Acting as a technical authority, the Principal Engineer drives system architecture, safety integrity, and project execution while mentoring teams and advising clients on best practices for safe, reliable, and cyber-secure operations.

Our Team Dynamics

Our teams support each other, collaborate, and never stop learning. Everyone brings something unique, and together we push ideas forward to solve real problems. Being part of our team means your work matters—because the progress we make here creates real impact out there.

What’s in it for you?

We want you to bring your full self to work—your ideas, your energy, your ambition. You’ll have the tools and freedom to grow your skills, shape your path, and take on challenges that matter. Here, your work creates impact you can see and feel, every day.

Your Role and Responsibilities

In this role, you’ll help run what runs the world, by taking on meaningful work that drives real impact.

• Work model: Hybrid from our St Neots or Warrington locations #LI-Hybrid

• Design and integrate ICSS architectures including Basic Process Control Systems (BPCS) and Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) for complex process industry applications.
• Lead functional safety activities across the entire lifecycle, ensuring compliance with IEC 61508/61511 and SIL requirements.
• Develop and review key engineering deliverables such as control logic, safety logic, cause & effect diagrams, and Safety Requirement Specifications (SRS).
• Manage project execution from concept through commissioning, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, clients, and vendors to meet technical and schedule requirements.
• Ensure quality and compliance with ABB standards, TÜV-certified safety practices, and cybersecurity guidelines for industrial control systems.
• Drive change control and alarm management strategies, ensuring robust system performance and operational integrity.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship, guiding engineers on ICSS technologies, functional safety principles, and best practices.
• Act as a subject matter expert, offering consultancy to clients on integrated safety systems and advanced ABB solutions.
• Support factory acceptance tests (FAT), site acceptance tests (SAT), and commissioning, ensuring systems meet design and safety specifications.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities for innovation in ICSS design, configuration, and lifecycle management.
• Collaborate with global ABB teams, sharing knowledge and leveraging best practices across projects worldwide.

Qualifications for the Role

• Degree in Electrical, Control, or Instrumentation Engineering (or equivalent experience)
• Significant experience in ICSS design and implementation for oil & gas, chemical, or power sectors
• Strong knowledge of IEC 61508/61511 standards and SIL determination
• Proficiency in ABB systems (e.g., System 800xA High Integrity) and familiarity with industrial cybersecurity
• Chartered Engineer status preferred; TÜV Functional Safety Engineer certification desirable
• Excellent leadership, decision-making, and project management skills

Benefits

ABB offers a full range of benefits to help you thrive at work and beyond.

• Competitive salary
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Competitive contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Flexible benefits scheme (Includes options to buy/sell holidays, health checks, dental, eye care, gym memberships, cycle to work, gadget discounts and more)
• Internal mobility opportunities, mentorships & access to projects globally
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Generous employee referral scheme
• Hybrid/Flexible working
• Private medical cover for yourself
• Generous bonus scheme

For the 5th consecutive year ABB UK has been recognised as a Top Employer in UK. Being certified as a Top Employer showcases an organisation’s dedication to a better world of work and exhibits this through excellent HR policies and people practices.

More about us

The Energy Industries Division serves a wide range of industrial sectors, including hydrocarbons, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, power generation and water. With its integrated solutions that automate, digitalize and electrify operations, the Division is committed to supporting traditional industries in their efforts to decarbonize. The Division also supports the development, integration and scaling up of new and renewable energy models. The Division’s goal is to help customers adapt and succeed in the rapidly changing global energy transition. Harnessing data, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), the Division brings over 50 years of domain expertise delivering solutions designed to improve energy, process and production efficiency, as well as reduce risk, operational cost and capital cost, while minimizing waste for customers, from project start-up and throughout the entire plant lifecycle.

Join us. Be part of the team where progress happens, industries transform, and your work shapes the world.

Run What Runs the World.

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