Senior AIS Controls Engineer in Southampton

A brighter future awaits you. CooperVision is one of the world's leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses with a presence in over 100 countries. Being part of CooperVision means helping improve the way people see each day. It's more than making contact lenses, it's about giving lens wearers freedom and confidence to move about their daily lives. We're all about bright futures, for our people and those who wear our contact lenses.

As the Senior Support Controls Engineer within our UK Manufacturing Engineering team, you will provide specialist controls and automation expertise across our lens manufacturing sites in Hampshire. You'll play a key role in maintaining and optimising highly automated manufacturing systems, supporting production teams, leading continuous improvement initiatives, and assisting the business in implementing new control technologies.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting and optimising machine control systems, SCADA applications and manufacturing automation systems.
• Troubleshooting and resolving controls-related breakdowns using root cause analysis techniques.
• Assisting with the design, implementation and validation of complex integrated control systems for new equipment and processes.
• Developing performance monitoring applications, dashboards and OEE reporting solutions.
• Integrating control systems with broader business and manufacturing execution systems.
• Leading engineering projects and managing external vendors while ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Coaching, mentoring and developing engineers and trainees within the department.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about controls engineering and thrives in a highly automated manufacturing environment. You will be a proactive problem-solver with excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships across engineering, maintenance, IT and production teams.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong technical expertise in industrial automation and control systems.
• Excellent planning, organisation and project management skills.
• A continuous improvement mindset with a focus on quality and innovation.
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively across multiple projects.
• Strong documentation and compliance discipline.
• A flexible approach to supporting operational needs, including out-of-hours support where required.
• A commitment to coaching and developing others.

Experience & Education Required:

• ONC or equivalent qualification in Electrical, Electronics or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in a controls, automation or manufacturing engineering environment.
• Proven experience with industrial control platforms such as RSLogix, ControlLogix, FactoryTalk View (RSView), DeviceNet, ControlNet and/or CoDeSys.
• Experience programming and supporting industrial software systems.

Preferred:

• Experience within medical device, pharmaceutical or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of SQL, VBA, VB6, VB.NET and C#.
• Understanding of Quality Assurance and Quality Control systems.
• Familiarity with FDA, GAMP, ISO and international regulatory requirements.

What we offer:

You'll receive competitive compensation and a fantastic benefits package including 25 days holiday, pension scheme, healthcare cover, life assurance, access to our Wellness Platform to support your mental health and wellbeing, a discounted contact lens scheme and much more. We are committed to our employees' personal and professional development and offer extensive training to support your career growth and help every individual reach their full potential. To help us achieve our goals, we'll give you everything you need to help you achieve yours.

As a CooperVision employee, you'll be welcomed into a diverse and progressive global business. We appreciate how important fostering an inclusive culture is and how different perspectives add value and contribute to our success. Through our employee groups, including CooperPride, BLACC, African Descent, Women's Impact Network, and Mind Body & Wellbeing, we provide opportunities for employees to learn, connect and grow within a supportive environment.

If you like what you see, take the first step towards your Brighter Future and apply today! All suitably qualified applicants will receive equal consideration and opportunities from CooperVision.