Reporting to the Engineering Manager, the Senior Controls & Automation Engineer will lead the development, standardisation, and future roadmap of machine control systems across our range of fibre handling machinery. Will act as the technical authority for software, controls, motion, automation, and machine connectivity, supporting the business transition from Allen Bradley to Siemens platforms whilst ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and industry standards.

The role combines hands-on engineering, technical leadership, project support, and strategic input, helping drive innovation across increasingly sophisticated machinery and automated handling systems.

Controls Strategy & Technical Leadership

• Define and maintain the controls and software architecture roadmap.
• Lead the transition from Allen Bradley platforms to Siemens technologies.
• Establish software standards, coding structures, and engineering best practices.
• Support the Engineering Manager with technology strategy and investment decisions.
• Mentor and develop junior controls and electrical engineers.
• Drive continuous improvement in machine performance, reliability, and maintainability.

Machine Control Development

• Design and develop PLC software using Siemens.
• Develop motion control applications including servo systems, multi-axis interpolation, and synchronisation.
• Configure and commission Siemens drives, motion controllers, and safety systems.
• Develop HMI and SCADA solutions.
• Implement machine diagnostics and predictive maintenance features.

Automation & Handling Systems

• Lead development of automated handling equipment and integrated production cells.
• Design safe and efficient automation systems involving conveyors, robotics, gantries, and material handling equipment.
• Integrate third-party automation equipment and systems.

Compliance & Functional Safety

• Support machinery compliance activities.
• Ensure software designs comply with: international standards and Cyber Security
• Participate in risk assessments and machine validation.
• Support technical documentation and customer acceptance testing.

Customer & Project Support

• Support project teams during machine commissioning.
• Provide technical guidance during FAT and SAT activities.
• Assist service teams with complex troubleshooting and upgrades.
• Engage directly with customers where required.

Controls & Software

• Significant experience programming PLC control systems.
• Strong Siemens TIA Portal experience.
• Experience with:
  • S7-1500 PLCs
  • SINAMICS drives
  • Siemens safety systems
  • WinCC HMIs
• Experience with motion control and servo systems.

Industrial Automation

• Proven experience delivering complex machinery projects.
• Experience of automated handling systems.
• Multi-axis motion control experience.
• Knowledge of industrial communications:
  • Profinet
  • Ethernet/IP
  • OPC UA
  • Modbus

Compliance

• Practical understanding of machine safety legislation.
• Experience supporting CE or UKCA compliance.
• Understanding of functional safety principles and standards.

Leadership

• Experience mentoring engineers.
• Ability to influence technical direction.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Comfortable presenting technical proposals to senior management.

For a 35 hour working week, working Monday to Friday, you will receive a generous entry level salary, dependant on experience, alongside 25 days holidays, bank holidays and an extra day for your birthday. You will also receive a pension contribution scheme, company sick pay scheme, 3 x life assurance plus other benefits.

You will be part of a family run business who have a great working environment, new equipment and a friendly, close-knit team. This is a great opportunity to work in a great environment with some flexibility with working hours to suit.

If this seems like the ideal opportunity for you, please don’t hesitate to apply!