At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead automation projects from concept to production, ensuring scalable solutions.
- Company: Fast-growing manufacturing business focused on innovation and continuous improvement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, 25 days holiday, and health benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on production capability and product quality in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 3+ years of PLC programming experience and strong problem-solving skills.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team with excellent career growth opportunities and minimal bureaucracy.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are a fast-growing, mission-driven manufacturing business designing, building, and scaling complex products in-house. Our operations rely on modern automation, rapid new product introduction (NPI), and a strong culture of continuous improvement to support ongoing growth.
This is an environment for engineers who want real ownership, technical depth, and the opportunity to influence how manufacturing systems are designed, built, and evolved. We are seeking an experienced Controls & Automation Engineer to join our Operations Engineering team. This role is central to delivering automation capability across the factory and spans the full lifecycle of control systems — from early concept and system architecture through to commissioning, production handover, and ongoing optimisation.
You will work across NPI, capital projects, and continuous improvement, collaborating closely with mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and production teams to deliver scalable, robust solutions.
- Own and deliver controls and automation projects end-to-end, from requirements capture through to commissioning and production handover.
- Specify, design, program, test, and document PLC-based control systems for new equipment, production lines, and NPI activities.
- Support new product introduction by developing and adapting automation solutions to meet evolving product and process requirements.
- Lead and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, improving safety, reliability, performance, and maintainability of existing systems.
- Provide advanced hands-on support during planned upgrades, commissioning activities, and critical production issues.
- Work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure automation solutions are practical, scalable, and aligned with manufacturing needs.
- Help shape automation standards, best practices, and system architectures as the factory continues to scale.
Requirements:
- 3+ years of experience programming PLC systems (IEC 61131-3) in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
- Strong understanding of electrical schematics, panel design, wiring practices, and electrical safety.
- Proven ability to specify, design, and document complete control system solutions, often from high-level manufacturing or NPI requirements.
- Experience working in fast-paced production environments, including supporting live systems during upgrades or downtime.
- Confident problem-solver with a hands-on, pragmatic engineering approach.
Desirable / bonus experience:
- Programming with Siemens TIA Portal, particularly S7-1500 PLCs.
- Knowledge of electrical legislation, machinery safety standards, and functional safety principles.
- Experience using CAD tools for mechanical or electromechanical design (e.g. SolidWorks).
High ownership role with responsibility across NPI, project delivery, and continuous improvement. Visible impact — your work directly affects production capability, scalability, and product quality. Fast decision-making environment with minimal bureaucracy.
Benefits include:
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Competitive salary and equity participation.
- On-site food and refreshments.
- Health and wellbeing benefits, including healthcare support and cycle-to-work schemes.
- Regular team events and employee referral incentive.
Automation Controls Engineer - Projects in City of London employer: CT19
Contact Detail:
CT19 Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Automation Controls Engineer - Projects in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects and achievements in automation and controls. This will give potential employers a tangible sense of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common technical questions related to PLC programming and automation systems. Practice explaining your past projects and how you've contributed to continuous improvement.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission-driven team.
We think you need these skills to ace Automation Controls Engineer - Projects in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Automation Controls Engineer role. Highlight your experience with PLC systems and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for automation and continuous improvement, and explain why you’re excited about joining our team. Let us know how you can contribute to our mission-driven environment.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, don’t forget to mention specific examples of how you've tackled challenges in fast-paced production environments. We love confident problem-solvers who can think on their feet!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at CT19
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your PLC programming skills, especially with IEC 61131-3. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've designed and implemented control systems, as this will show your hands-on experience and technical depth.
✨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled challenges in fast-paced production environments. Think about times when you had to support live systems during upgrades or downtime, and be ready to explain your thought process and the outcomes.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Since this role involves working closely with cross-functional teams, be prepared to talk about your experience collaborating with mechanical, electrical, and production teams. Highlight any successful projects where teamwork led to improved automation solutions.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement by discussing initiatives you've led or contributed to. Share specific examples of how you've improved safety, reliability, or performance in existing systems, as this aligns perfectly with their mission-driven culture.