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- Tasks: Lead a team of Control Engineers and oversee technical projects in a dynamic distillery environment.
- Company: Join Chivas Brothers, a leader in the spirits industry with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private medical insurance, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities and a supportive culture that values safety and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving continuous improvement and leading a talented engineering team.
- Qualifications: Degree in Electrical, Control, or Automation Engineering with strong PLC and SCADA experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Location: Miltonduff, Elgin - with travel to other sites in Moray, according to business needs.
Contract Type: Permanent
About the role
We are currently seeking a Senior Control Engineer to be responsible for managing and developing a team of Control Engineers, providing both technical direction and people leadership across the Northern Operations engineering function. This role is responsible for delivering a high-quality, in-house control and instrumentation service across Chivas Brothers’ distillery and production sites, ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of all control and instrumentation systems. The role maintains a hands-on technical contribution, acting as the senior escalation point for complex control engineering requirements while driving continuous improvement across the team.
People Management & Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Control Engineers, setting clear goals and conducting regular performance reviews.
- Provide day-to-day leadership, effectively allocating resources across sites and projects.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, and training to strengthen team capability.
- Foster a culture of safety, collaboration, continuous learning, and high performance.
Control & Instrumentation – Technical Expertise
- Oversee modifications to distillery HMI and SCADA systems, ensuring high standards of quality and documentation.
- Provide senior technical expertise across PLC systems, covering I/O, programming, fault diagnosis, data capture, and visualisation.
- Act as the senior technical authority for instrumentation, covering setup, fault finding, and calibration.
- Collaborate with Site Management on PLC, control, and instrumentation strategy and operations.
Project & Programme Delivery
- Take responsibility for control engineering input into capital and operational projects, ensuring delivery to time, cost, and quality targets.
- Develop and review technical specifications, Functional Design Specifications (FDS), and method statements for control projects.
- Manage and coordinate external contractors, consultants, and suppliers to ensure delivery to the highest standards.
Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure team activities comply with H&S legislation, electrical standards, safe systems of work, and company standards and procedures.
- Maintain and promote compliance with functional safety standards and practices, including SIF and SIL requirements.
- Maintain awareness of industrial communication protocols and cybersecurity requirements.
- Contribute to the development and application of engineering standards, procedures, and risk assessments, including HAZOP and LOPA.
Required Skills and Background
- Degree qualified in Electrical, Control, or Automation Engineering (or equivalent experience).
- Experience with PLC, SCADA, instrumentation, and functional safety (including Safety Instrumented Systems – SIS).
- Proven track record in people management & team development.
- Strong stakeholder & cross-functional management skills.
- Demonstrated experience in HAZOP, LOPA, and the application of SIF and SIL principles.
- Proven experience delivering automation solutions within capital projects.
- Strong awareness of industrial cybersecurity requirements and best practices.
Our mix of benefits
- Competitive salary, along with performance related bonus.
- Defined Contribution Pension.
- Private medical insurance, including income protection.
- Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.
- 25 days’ annual holiday (increasing with length of service up to 27) plus public holidays.
- Pernod Ricard share incentive plan and share ownership plan.
- Life insurance.
- An allowance each year to spend on our brands.
- Our reward & recognition scheme.
- Employee discounts from a range of high street retailers.
We will assess your application for this role based on your skills, experiences, and achievements, not your gender, age, ethnic or educational background or any other such factors. Our recruiting team are more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process, in order for you to participate fully in our recruitment experience.
Senior Control Engineer employer: Chivas Brothers
Contact Detail:
Chivas Brothers Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Control Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, especially those who work at Chivas Brothers or similar companies. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and people management skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with PLCs, SCADA systems, and how you've led teams in the past. We want to see your passion for control engineering!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills during interviews. Think of specific examples where you tackled complex control engineering challenges or improved processes. This will help us see how you can contribute to our team’s success.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Chivas Brothers.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Control Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Control Engineer role. Highlight your experience with PLC, SCADA, and instrumentation, as well as any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about control engineering and how you can contribute to our team. Don't forget to mention your people management experience and any relevant projects you've led.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise: In your application, be sure to showcase your technical expertise in control systems and functional safety. We love candidates who can demonstrate their hands-on experience and problem-solving skills, so share specific examples of your work!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Chivas Brothers
✨Know Your Technical Stuff
As a Senior Control Engineer, you'll need to showcase your expertise in PLC, SCADA, and instrumentation. Brush up on your technical knowledge and be ready to discuss specific projects where you've applied these skills. Prepare to explain complex concepts in simple terms, as this will demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor your team.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves managing a team, so be prepared to talk about your experience in people management. Think of examples where you've successfully led a team, set clear goals, or conducted performance reviews. Highlight how you foster a culture of safety and collaboration, as this aligns with the company's values.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills. Prepare scenarios related to HAZOP, LOPA, and compliance with safety standards. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, making it easier for the interviewers to follow your thought process.
✨Research the Company Culture
Understanding the company’s culture is key to showing you're a good fit. Familiarise yourself with Chivas Brothers’ values and their approach to continuous improvement and safety. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with theirs, and think of ways you can contribute to their culture of high performance and collaboration.