Sr. Controls Engineer

Sr. Controls Engineer

Full-Time 40500 - 49500 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
FORTNA

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead design and testing of automated sortation systems while mentoring junior engineers.
  • Company: Join FORTNA, a leader in transforming distribution operations for top global brands.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
  • Other info: Expect a mix of office and site-based work with significant travel.
  • Why this job: Be part of a movement that redefines success and embraces innovation.
  • Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and 4-7 years in industrial controls.

The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.

FORTNA partners with the world’s leading brands to transform omnichannel and parcel distribution operations.

Known world-wide for enabling companies to keep pace with digital disruption and growth objectives, we design and deliver solutions, powered by intelligent software, to optimize fast, accurate and cost-effective order fulfillment and last mile delivery.

Our people, innovative approach and proprietary algorithms and tools ensure optimal operations design and material and information flow.

We deliver exceptional value every day to our customers with comprehensive services and products including network strategy, distribution center operational design and implementation, material handling automated equipment, robotics and a comprehensive suite of lifecycle services.

At FORTNA, we believe in fostering a workplace that isn't just a job but a movement – a collective effort to redefine success and transform challenges into opportunities. "Join the Movement" encapsulates our commitment to a workplace culture that thrives on collaboration, celebrates diversity, and empowers every individual to contribute to something greater than themselves.

Our Team.

Our Passion.

Our Approach.

JOB SUMMARY

The Sr.

Controls Engineer will be responsible for driving design, functionality and testing of upper-level automated sortation systems.

The candidate must lead and assist in the design and programming of new projects.

Additionally, the candidate must demonstrate skillsets for diagnosing and solving controls related issues involving I/O, hardware (Controller setup, VFDs, Comms devices) and software (PLC and HMI) feedback along with best practices electrical troubleshooting techniques.

This position requires providing leadership, guidance and mentoring to junior level engineers and contractors.

The Sr.

Controls Engineer is responsible for supporting other members of the FORTNA controls group to ensure accurate documentation, proper system functionality, adherence to approved design and customer specifications.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Write and implement modular and reuseable PLC code and assist in all on-site controls engineering tasks.
  • Design and develop “Human Machine Interface” (HMI) using commercially available products such as Ignition.
  • Implement PLC and HMI programs to satisfy current design and customer specifications.
  • Work with FORTNA employees, customer representatives and third-party vendors to ensure all aspects of a project are considered during both the design and execution phases
  • Review electrical designs and provide accurate as-built drawings for approval.
  • Individually or as a team, commission and troubleshoot complex automated systems, provide site engineering support, and complete system acceptance testing.
  • Provide support of system commissioning efforts as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or comparable.
  • 4-7 years of experience within an industrial controls environment which includes:
  • PLC programming (Siemens TIA Portal, Beckhoff Twin CAT, LD, ST, SCL)
  • HMI Programming (Ignition SCADA, Siemens Unified Comfort)
  • Input and output device design, implementation, and troubleshooting.
  • Industrial communication networks (Ether Net/IP, Profinet, Modbus, etc.)
  • Low voltage electrical design and drawing understanding and creation.
  • Equivalent work experience will also be considered as a substitute for education.
  • Experience with VFDs preferred (networked a plus).
  • Experience with Microsoft 365 - Office Apps.

SKILLS/ABILITIES

  • Must be self-motivated, self-aware, detail-oriented, and results-focused.
  • Understanding of VFDs, induction motors, programmable logic controllers and industrial networks.
  • Demonstrates understanding of project management, service management, or relationship management principles.
  • Abilities and knowledge in practices and techniques gained through experience and exposure to complex and diverse techniques, theories, and principles.
  • Ability to troubleshoot and isolate controls I/O problems
  • Schedule, manage, and execute basic system implementations, enhancements, and retrofits.
  • Collaborate and communicate with FORTNA team members, project managers and customers in a professional written and spoken manner.
  • Provide direction and leadership to Jr. level controls engineers and contractors.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This job operates in a professional office environment.

This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, etc.

When traveling the job environment shifts to a site-based, typically industrial.

When traveling this role routinely uses appropriate PPE, electrical diagnostic tools, electrical implementation tools, laptops, and networking equipment.

TRAVEL: This position requires up to 70-80% travel to various sites.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

  • Ability to lift 50 pounds
  • Ability to climb ladders
  • Ability to navigate safely over and around warehouse automation equipment
  • Physical stamina may be required for prolonged standing, bending, stooping, and/or working in cramped quarters.
  • Exposure to potentially dangerous tools and equipment amidst a variety of building materials is probable, as is occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts.
  • The noise level in the work environment can vary from being relatively quiet, to moderate, to excessive.

Employees may be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor.

Sr. Controls Engineer employer: FORTNA

FORTNA is an exceptional employer that values innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for Electrical Engineers looking to make a significant impact in the field of automation and controls. Located in Milton Keynes, the company offers a dynamic work culture that encourages professional growth through continuous learning opportunities and hands-on project involvement. Employees benefit from a supportive environment that prioritises teamwork and quality, ensuring that every team member can thrive while contributing to cutting-edge automation solutions.

FORTNA

Contact Details:

FORTNA Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Sr. Controls Engineer

Get Involved in Control Systems Communities

Dive into control systems forums and relevant LinkedIn groups to showcase your expertise. Engage in discussions, answer questions, and share your knowledge—this can help us get noticed by potential employers looking for someone just like you!

Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops

Join conferences or workshops specifically tailored to control systems engineering, like the IEEE conference. These events are goldmines for networking with industry leaders and might just lead us to that perfect role at FORTNA.

Get Practical Experience Through Projects

Start or contribute to projects that highlight your control systems skills. Whether it’s a simulated environment or real-world application, having tangible results will give us a huge edge when chatting with FORTNA.

Choose Job Boards Wisely

Focus on niche job boards that specialise in engineering roles. Channels like Engineers.co or similar can help ensure that we’re not only applying to random jobs but targeting positions that align perfectly with our control systems engineering skills!

We think you need these skills to ace Sr. Controls Engineer

PLC Programming (Siemens TIA Portal, Beckhoff TwinCAT, LD, ST, SCL)
HMI Programming (Ignition SCADA, Siemens Unified Comfort)
Input and Output Device Design and Troubleshooting
Industrial Communication Networks (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus)
Low Voltage Electrical Design and Drawing Understanding
VFD Knowledge and Experience
Project Management Principles

Some tips for your application 🫡

Highlight Your Technical Skills:When applying for the Sr. Controls Engineer role, make sure to showcase your technical expertise in control systems. Be specific about the software and programming languages you’ve worked with—mention anything from MATLAB to PLC programming. This will help us see your proficiency in the tools that are essential for the job.

Quantify Your Achievements:In the engineering world, numbers speak volumes! Use your CV to quantify your achievements—whether it’s a percentage improvement in system efficiency or successful project completions under budget. This will not only make your application stand out but also showcase your problem-solving capabilities to us.

Tailor Your Cover Letter:Don’t hesitate to get personal in your cover letter! Talk about why you’re passionate about control systems engineering and how your previous experiences have prepared you for this role at FORTNA. We want to see your genuine interest and motivation to contribute to our projects.

Professional Documentation:For a full-time role, ensure that your application documents are professional and well-structured. Include a clear CV format and cover letter that highlights key projects or systems you've worked on. Don’t forget to mention any relevant certifications or training that would make you a valuable addition to us at FORTNA.

How to prepare for a job interview at FORTNA

Brush Up on Control Systems Concepts

Make sure we're up to speed with control systems theory—think stability analysis, PID tuning, and state-space representation. Revising these fundamentals will help us answer technical questions more confidently and demonstrate our expertise during the interview.

Familiarise Yourself with Simulation Tools

Get hands-on with popular simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink or LabVIEW. A lot of interviews might include technical assessments or practical tasks to gauge our understanding of system modelling and control design using these tools, so being proficient could really set us apart.

Be Ready for Problem-Solving Scenarios

We should expect scenario-based questions where we'll have to solve real-world control system challenges. Practising how to approach problems logically and articulately will help us show our analytical thinking to the interviewer at FORTNA.

Show Your Passion for Engineering

As this role is full-time, it's crucial we convey our genuine enthusiasm for control systems engineering. Sharing personal projects or experiences where we tackled interesting engineering tasks can illustrate our commitment and eagerness to contribute to the team at FORTNA.