Controls Engineer

Controls Engineer

We are seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to join our controls department. Our client provides specialist control system design, software development, electrical design and manufacturing services for industrial machinery. We deliver practical, high-quality control solutions across a wide range of sectors. This includes Automotive, Aerospace & Defence, Logistics & Material Handling, Food & Beverage and General Manufacturing. We are looking for an engineer who can work closely with customers from concept through to build, installation and commissioning.

The role

The role involves designing, developing, testing and commissioning PLC, HMI and safety software for industrial machinery and automation projects. You will work on projects from software design through to commissioning and customer handover.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop control software for Siemens TIA Portal/S7 and/or Rockwell Studio 5000-based systems.
• Support legacy systems where required, including Siemens S7 Classic and STL/IL code.
• Write PLC software from first principles for industrial machinery and automation projects.
• Develop and test safety software, and validate it against the safety matrix and project requirements.
• Configure and commission VFDs, servo drives, motion systems, fieldbus networks and remote I/O.
• Work with industrial communication networks such as ProfiNet, Profibus, EtherNet/IP or similar protocols.
• Read and interpret electrical drawings, I/O schedules and functional design specifications.
• Carry out electrical and control-system fault finding, including basic checks using a multimeter.
• Create and maintain project documentation such as FDS, test documentation, commissioning notes and O&M information.
• Work closely with project managers, electrical designers, panel build, installation and commissioning teams.
• Commission systems on customer sites, including occasional weekend work and overnight stays where required by the project.

Essential Requirements

• Approximately 5+ years' experience writing PLC software from first principles within an industrial automation or machinery environment.
• Strong experience with Siemens TIA Portal/S7 and/or Rockwell Studio 5000.
• Experience writing, testing and commissioning safety-related control software.
• Experience configuring and commissioning VFDs, fieldbus networks and industrial control hardware.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings and translate them into working control software.
• Competence in practical fault-finding during build, test and site commissioning.
• Experience producing clear technical documentation, including FDS and O&M information.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office for documentation and communication.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills in English, as the role involves regular communication with UK-based customers and project teams.
• Full valid driving licence for use in the UK, as customer-site travel will be required.
• Existing right to work in the UK.

Desirable Experience

• Experience with Siemens S7 Classic, STL and/or IL for legacy support work.
• Design and commissioning experience with robots, particularly KUKA, ABB or FANUC.
• Experience with motion control systems, including Siemens, Rockwell, Bosch Rexroth or similar platforms.
• CNC experience, particularly Siemens, Bosch or FANUC.
• Machine safety training or formal functional-safety experience.
• Familiarity with HMI, SCADA or vision systems.
• Experience with EPLAN Electric P8 from a controls or commissioning perspective
• A background in Automotive, Food & Beverage, Aerospace, Pharmaceutical, Printing, Logistics

Benefits

• Competitive salary, dependent on skills and experience
• 23 days holiday plus bank holidays
• 37.5-hour working week
• Workplace pension scheme
• Paid overtime for approved additional hours worked, or time off in lieu where agreed
• Training and development opportunities, including in-house and supplier-led training
• Exposure to a wide range of projects, industries and technologies
• Collaborative and supportive working environment
• Opportunity to work with a respected and established control systems engineering company
• Flexible or hybrid working may be available during suitable software design phase

Proactive Global is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.