ORE Catapult is the UK’s leading technology innovation and research centre for offshore renewable energy. We work with industry, academia, and government to accelerate the development, deployment, and commercialisation of offshore wind, wave, and tidal technologies.
Based at our Blyth site, our world-class test and research facilities support cutting-edge engineering, commercial testing, and applied research programmes that help drive the growth of the offshore renewable energy sector and support the UK’s net-zero ambitions.
Senior Instrumentation Design Engineer
We are seeking a Senior Instrumentation Design Engineer to take technical ownership of the design, development, installation, and commissioning of instrumentation systems across our Blyth test facilities.
In this senior technical role, you will act as design authority for dedicated instrumentation hardware and software programmes, supporting commercial testing and research projects within the offshore renewable energy sector. You will provide specialist expertise across the full lifecycle of instrumentation systems, from concept and design through to operation, maintenance, and upgrade, while mentoring engineers and contributing to future asset and facility development.
Requirements
Key Responsibilities
- Act as design authority for instrumentation hardware and software systems, including installation, commissioning, operation, and maintenance.
- Deliver instrumentation and calibration requirements for blade and drivetrain test facility assets.
- Provide specialist instrumentation, data acquisition, and data analysis support to commercial testing and research projects.
- Manage multiple complex engineering projects, ensuring delivery to agreed time, quality, and cost targets.
- Ensure design documentation, calibration records, and project outputs comply with internal processes, customer requirements, and accreditation standards.
- Support tender preparation, technical evaluations, and budget development, working with customers and suppliers.
- Perform technical reviews and sign-off of reports, drawings, and procedures.
- Support the technical aspects of data acquisition and instrumentation software development.
- Mentor and support the development of instrumentation engineers.
- Contribute to innovation, continuous improvement, and future asset and facility enhancements.
- Ensure compliance with Safety, Health, Environment, and Quality standards including ISO 45001, ISO 14001, ISO 9001, and ISO 17025.
Skills and Experience
- Strong technical, problem-solving, and decision-making capability.
- Extensive experience with instrumentation systems, sensors, data acquisition hardware, software, and IT networking.
- Sound knowledge of calibration and certification requirements and processes.
- Design, installation, testing, and commissioning experience in an engineering or test facility environment.
- Experience of specialist engineering software such as LabVIEW, Perception, DIAdem, MATLAB, COMSOL, SIMULINK, OPAL-RT, and EPLAN.
- Knowledge of BS 7671 and ISO 17025 installation and testing standards.
- Experience working with electrical and mechanical power generation or renewable energy systems.
- Motivated team player with the ability to work collaboratively across multiple disciplines and sites.
- Clear and confident communicator, able to present technical information to engineers, management, and clients.
Qualifications
- Degree-qualified in a relevant engineering discipline.
- Chartered Engineer, or actively working towards chartership with a recognised professional engineering body.
- Typically 5+ years’ relevant experience in a senior instrumentation or design engineering role.
Benefits: Health insurance, Life insurance, Supplementary health cover, Flexible working hours, Paid parental leave, Career progression opportunities, Mental health support, Wellbeing programme, Pension scheme, Exclusive staff discounts / Partnerships, Gym membership discounts, Flexible work location, Mentorship programmes
Additional compensation: Share options / Equity plan, Profit-sharing scheme, Referral bonus, Competitive Salary
