At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and develop control systems, automation, and system integration projects.
- Company: Specialist engineering manufacturer in Ferndown with a focus on development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, structured support, and opportunities for career progression.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with training and growth opportunities in engineering.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge control systems and automation technology.
- Qualifications: HND-level knowledge in electronics, electrical engineering, or related fields.
Controls Engineer salary: £39,500 – £46,750
Please note: only applicants with the full-time, permanent right to work in the UK will be considered.
Overview:
- Development-focused Controls Engineer role working alongside a Senior Engineer.
- Support PLC, HMI, automation and system integration projects across a varied product range.
- Start with legacy troubleshooting and configuration before progressing into new design work.
- Suitable for someone with controls, automation, electrical, electronics or software knowledge.
- Join a specialist manufacturer where training and progression will be built into the role.
This role is designed for someone who wants to develop further in control systems, automation and product integration. The Controls Engineer will work alongside a Senior Engineer, initially supporting troubleshooting, configuration and legacy system work before gradually taking on more design and development activity. This is not a pure PLC programming role; it is more focused on system integration with a strong PLC/HMI and automation element.
Day-to-day responsibilities:
- Support troubleshooting and configuration of existing and legacy control systems.
- Investigate functional issues found during machine build, test or commissioning stages.
- Use engineering and configuration tools to identify control system problems and resolve them.
- Work with a Senior Engineer to understand PLC, HMI, I/O and automation requirements.
- Help adapt control systems so machines function correctly and consistently.
- Support the transition from older electronic systems toward more electrical and off-the-shelf control solutions.
- Contribute to smaller controls and automation projects before progressing into larger design work.
- Assist with PLC/HMI updates, system configuration and user interface improvements.
- Work with mechanical, electrical, software and manufacturing teams to support product integration.
- Help document control system information, software versions, configuration details and technical changes.
- Support suppliers and subcontractors where components, firmware or software need technical clarification.
- Contribute to design reviews, project updates and continuous improvement within Engineering.
What they’re looking for:
- Some practical exposure to PLCs, HMIs, control systems, automation or electrical/electronic systems.
- Understanding of how control systems behave within machinery, equipment or manufactured products.
- HND-level knowledge in electronics, electrical engineering, automation, controls, software engineering or similar, or equivalent experience.
- Able to interpret technical information and work through problems logically.
- Basic understanding of sensors, motors, drives, I/O, wiring diagrams or control hardware would be useful.
- Comfortable learning proprietary software, configuration tools and new engineering systems.
- Some manufacturing, engineering or product-based experience.
- Interest in developing further into PLC/HMI, automation and control system design.
- Methodical approach with good attention to detail.
- Good communication skills and willingness to learn from senior engineering support.
Desirable:
- Hands-on PLC or HMI experience, even at a junior or developing level.
- Exposure to Siemens, Schneider, Mitsubishi, Rockwell, Omron, CODESYS or similar platforms.
- Basic software knowledge such as Structured Text, Python, C, C#, HTML, JavaScript or CSS.
- Experience fault-finding machinery, test equipment or automated systems.
- Understanding of software revision control or controlled engineering documentation.
- Experience in a multi-disciplinary manufacturing or product development environment.
- Knowledge of motor controllers, interface hardware, microprocessors or embedded electronics.
What’s on offer:
- A development-focused Controls Engineer role with structured support from a Senior Engineer.
- The chance to build real experience across PLCs, HMIs, automation, system integration and control system troubleshooting.
- A varied engineering environment where the Controls Engineer can start on smaller projects, learn the product range and progress into more design-led automation work.
- A good opportunity for someone with the right technical grounding who wants to grow into a stronger, broader Controls Engineer role.
How to apply:
If you’re interested in this role, get in touch to talk through the technical scope and development route. Call or message Hayden at Holt Engineering.
Controls Engineer employer: Holt Engineering
Join a well-established and rapidly expanding manufacturing business that values its employees and fosters a supportive work culture. As an Area Sales Manager, you'll enjoy a competitive salary, excellent bonus structure, and comprehensive training, all while working in a dynamic environment that encourages personal and professional growth. With the opportunity to build long-term customer relationships across the South East, this role offers meaningful engagement and the chance to make a significant impact within the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 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 Holt Engineering.
✨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 Holt Engineering.
✨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 Controls Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Technical Skills:When applying for the 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 Holt Engineering. 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 Holt Engineering.
How to prepare for a job interview at Holt Engineering
✨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 Holt Engineering.
✨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 Holt Engineering.
