At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and develop bespoke control systems for scientific equipment, blending PLC and microcontroller tech.
- Company: Join a close-knit engineering team in a dynamic office environment in Cheshire.
- Benefits: Enjoy pension, life insurance, healthcare cashback, and flexible remote working options.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the next generation of innovative control systems.
- Qualifications: 4+ years in PLC programming; eager to learn about microcontrollers and embedded systems.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Pension, Life insurance, Healthcare cashback scheme.
Office-based, Cheshire, with occasional remote working once established.
Reporting to the Engineering Manager, working alongside R&D, Electronics, and Production Test.
Are you an experienced PLC engineer looking to broaden into microcontroller-based control systems? This is a chance to join a small, close-knit engineering team supporting and developing control systems for bespoke scientific/lab equipment, with real variety across production support, R&D, and new product development.
The Role
Every system is built to order, so no two control systems are quite the same. You'll split your time between supporting existing PLC-controlled production systems and helping shape the next generation, which combines an external software platform with in-house PLC and (eventually) microcontroller-based control.
- Maintain and support existing PLC control systems (Omron CX-Programmer, ladder logic/structured text) and HMI interfaces.
- Work with an electronics engineer to integrate motor/pump control (signal-level, not circuit design).
- Support Production/Test with fault diagnosis and acceptance testing.
- Read wiring schematics (produced by the electronics team).
- Start building familiarity with microcontroller-based control for future product development.
- Use Git for version control.
About You
- Engineering background (degree, apprenticeship, HNC or HND).
- At least 4 years in a similar role, ideally industrial/PLC background.
- Strong PLC programming experience (ladder logic/structured text); CX-Programmer experience a bonus.
- Comfortable reading electrical/wiring schematics.
- Curious and keen to learn: open to picking up microcontroller and embedded systems knowledge over time.
Control Systems & Automation Engineer in Manchester employer: H Squared Talent Ltd
H Squared Talent Ltd is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its finance professionals. With a dynamic work culture that encourages collaboration and innovation, employees are given the unique opportunity to influence senior decisions and enhance their skill sets in a supportive environment. Located in a thriving market, this role not only offers competitive benefits but also paves the way for meaningful career advancement in a fast-paced, international setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Control Systems & Automation Engineer in Manchester
✨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 H Squared Talent Ltd.
✨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 H Squared Talent Ltd.
✨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 Control Systems & Automation Engineer in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Technical Skills:When applying for the Control Systems & Automation 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 H Squared Talent Ltd. 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 H Squared Talent Ltd.
How to prepare for a job interview at H Squared Talent Ltd
✨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 H Squared Talent Ltd.
✨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 H Squared Talent Ltd.
