Electrical Controls Engineer - Automotive Automation in Knowsley

Location: Halewood

Duration: Permanent

Start date: ASAP

Salary: £64,841.08 plus great benefits and pension

Overview

GPW Recruitment is partnering with Ford Halewood Transmissions Ltd (FHTL) to recruit an Electrical Controls Engineer for their existing site during a large transformation. Ford is investing £355m into the Halewood site to produce electric power units. Production of electric vehicle components will commence in 2024 with a capacity of 420,000 units.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of machinery controls, building infrastructure controls and energy supply facilities.
• Manage projects from minimal budget to over £1,000,000, delivering them safely, on time and aligned with engineering standards.
• Collaborate with engineers, management, production and maintenance teams to support an advanced automotive manufacturing environment.
• Promote safety and a zero accident culture and adopt a diversity, equity and inclusion ethos.
• Maintain, develop and optimise all plant electrical, controls and automation infrastructure.
• Develop and support the Factory of the Future strategy through innovative engineering solutions.
• Effectively manage contractors and suppliers, ensuring compliance with health and safety, project controls, quality standards and delivery requirements.
• Maintain plant control systems, industrial networks and automation infrastructure.
• Drive continuous improvement of business objectives.
• Communicate effectively inside and outside the organisation, including with Trade Union.

Qualifications and Experience

• Electrical engineering degree or equivalent experience.
• Highly effective project management skills covering specification, vendor selection, delivery and implementation.
• Experience in a manufacturing, automotive or similar industrial environment.
• Familiarity with developing engineering specifications considering corporate, external and legal standards.
• Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting capability (Siemens STEP 7, TIA Portal).
• Understanding of machine control systems, electrical hardware and industrial automation technologies.
• Knowledge of Manufacturing Production Networks (MPN), Controls Production Networks (CPN) and system integration.
• Experience in hardware discussions and agreements with OEMs during machine acceptance.
• Understanding of Industrial Control System (ICS) cybersecurity requirements and compliance standards.
• Ability to review, verify and approve Control Change Requests (CCRs) in accordance with change management procedures.
• Experience managing machine backup systems, software deployment, device management and licensing for shop‑floor PCs and field devices.
• Ability to create, review and approve electrical schematics and PLC software modifications using AutoCAD Electrical and EPLAN.
• Knowledge of utility monitoring, Building Management, and reporting systems.
• Experience with high voltage (HV) and low voltage (LV) electrical distribution systems.
• Machine sign‑off experience, including pre‑acceptance and final acceptance audits at equipment suppliers and on‑site installations.
• Understanding of machinery safety requirements, CE and UKCA marking, relevant British Standards (BS), European Standards (EN) and applicable industrial regulations.

Benefits

• Free on‑site gym facility with sauna & steam room.
• Employee assistance programmes: weekly appointments such as massages, circuit classes, nutrition advice, yoga, chiropody, reiki, head massages.
• On‑site physiotherapy and occupational health department.
• Competitive pension scheme with company contributions up to 12%.
• £750 annual attendance bonus (subject to company T&C’s).
• Access to Ford's Privilege scheme (vehicle purchase discount).
• Generous holiday allowance of 25 days (including shutdown dates).
• Cycle to Work Scheme.

Working Hours

Monday to Thursday 7:00‑15:30 and Friday 7:00‑12:30

Equal Opportunities Statement

The Company is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity for all and is opposed to any form of less favourable treatment or harassment on the grounds of race, religion or belief, sex, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability. This vacancy is advertised in line with the Ford equal opportunities policy.