Controls and Automation Engineer

Skin + Me is a mission driven start‑up with seriously big skin goals. We're looking for an exceptional Controls and Automation Engineer to join our Operations Team at Skin + Me. This is a full time role based at our state of the art factory in North Acton.

About the role

As a Controls and Automation Engineer at Skin + Me you will be part of the end‑to‑end project process – spanning from initial system specification, all of the way to commissioning and system handover to production teams. The ideal candidate will have a degree in either mechanical engineering, controls and automation, mechatronics, electrical, or similar, and be highly competent at problem solving challenges in a manufacturing environment.

What You'll Do

• Take ownership of controls and automation projects from start to finish – from understanding what's needed through to commissioning and handover into production
• Design, program and test PLC‑based control systems for new equipment, production lines and NPI projects, making sure everything is robust, well‑documented and ready to scale
• Support new product introductions by building and adapting automation solutions as our products and processes evolve
• Drive continuous improvement across our systems – enhancing safety, reliability, performance and long‑term maintainability
• Provide hands‑on expertise during upgrades, commissioning and when production needs critical support
• Collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams to create automation solutions that are practical, scalable and truly meet manufacturing needs
• Contribute to shaping our automation standards, best practices and system architecture as we continue to grow and scale our factory

Who You Are

• Have a minimum of a years experience programming (IEC 61131‑3) PLC systems
• Understanding of electrical schematics, wiring, and electrical safety
• Ability to spec and document complete control system solutions, deriving them from factory requirements and new product introduction projects
• Able to work well under pressure (for example during a stop in a production line for upgrade or fixes) in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment

Bonus Points

• Programming with Siemens TIA, specifically with S7‑1500 PLC's
• Deployment of complex, multi‑axis motion control systems
• Experience with closed loop motion control systems, more specifically linear and rotary servo motors
• Hands on experience wiring both DC control circuits, and AC (low voltage) power systems to accepted standards
• Understanding of electrical legislation, safety procedures, standards. Especially functional safety
• Knowledge and use of CAD packages to design mechanical parts, specifically SolidWorks

Benefits

• 25 Days Holiday (+ all the usual Bank Holidays)
• Free Breakfast & Lunch – It's important you are well fuelled for the day so we've got your breakfast and lunch covered. Plus drinks and snacks are available too!
• Equity – We offer a competitive salary and a generous share award package that means every employee has a stake in the business. We really are all in this together
• Health and wellbeing focus – We offer a healthcare cash plan, cycle to work schemes plus free healthy breakfast and lunch in the office. We'll be sure to always prioritise your physical and mental health
• Culture club – Our culture club team meets every week to make sure we celebrate our big wins and milestones too, with parties, surprises and more.
• You'll get highly discounted Skin + Me products for you, and 10 friends + family too.
• Generous employee referral scheme, if you know more fabulous people refer them to work with us too.