Summary:
We are seeking a dedicated Control Systems Engineer to join our engineering team in the UK. This permanent, full-time position is crucial for the development and optimisation of control systems that enhance our operational efficiency and product quality. The ideal candidate will play a key role in working on the design, programming and commissioning of automated food depositing and filling machinery.
The role is hands-on and varied. You will be involved from the early stages of a project through to machine build, testing and commissioning, working closely with the mechanical and electrical design teams.
Our machines are often bespoke, so the role will suit someone who enjoys solving problems and developing practical control solutions rather than working on the same equipment every day
Key Responsibilities
- Design and develop control systems for food depositing, dosing and filling machinery.
- Write and modify PLC programs and HMI screens.
- Develop machine sequences, recipes, interlocks and operator functions.
- Conduct system analysis and troubleshooting to ensure optimal performance.
- Set up and commission servo drives, motors, sensors, pneumatics and other control equipment.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams such as electrical design team to integrate control systems and panels and machine requirements with existing infrastructure.
- Read and understand electrical drawings and control schematics.
- Prepare technical documentation and reports for system specifications and performance evaluations.
- Develop and test machine safety systems.
- Test machinery in-house before customer delivery.
- Commission equipment at customer sites in the UK and occasionally overseas.
- Fault find electrical, PLC and control system issues.
- Work with mechanical designers and engineers to make sure the controls and machine design work together properly.
- Support the service team with technical issues when required.
- Make improvements to existing machines and control systems.
- Help develop standard software, control systems and machine functions across the product range.
- Produce and maintain software backups, I/O lists and other relevant documentation.
- Stay updated with the latest industry trends and technologies to enhance system capabilities.
Experience Required
- Previous experience in a controls, automation or control systems engineering role.
- Good PLC programming experience.
- Experience working with automated machinery.
- Experience with HMI systems.
- Good understanding of electrical control systems and the ability to read electrical drawings.
- Experience with servo drives, inverters and motion control would be beneficial.
- Experience of machine commissioning and fault finding.
- Good understanding of machine safety.
- A practical approach to engineering and problem solving.
- Good communication skills and the ability to work as part of a wider engineering team.
- Willingness to travel to customer sites when required.
Desirable Experience and Qualifications
- Siemens, Allen-Bradley/Rockwell or Mitsubishi PLCs.
- Servo and multi-axis motion systems.
- Profinet, Ethernet/IP or other industrial communications.
- Food processing, packaging or filling machinery.
- Recipe and batch control.
- Vision or weighing systems.
- Experience working with hygienic machinery.
- HNC/HND or equivalent qualification in Electrical, Electronic, Control or Automation Engineering.
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in engineering or a similar role.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
About You
You will be comfortable getting involved at all stages of a machine build and able to work through problems without needing everything handed to you.
We are looking for someone who can take ownership of their work, communicate well with the rest of the engineering team and deliver control systems that are reliable, straightforward to operate and easy to maintain.
The ability to work on your own initiative is important, but so is being prepared to get involved and help the wider team when needed.
What We Offer
This is a varied role working on bespoke food processing and depositing equipment, with the chance to work on new machine development as well as customer projects.
You will have the opportunity to be involved in the full process, from initial design and programming through to testing and commissioning, with plenty of scope to develop your skills and take ownership of projects.
