Manufacturing Controls Lead – Core automation in London

What you'll do

• Build the baseline for Hypersonica’s manufacturing controls platform. Developing standards on a PLC and controls component level
• Establish partnerships with component suppliers and create preferred standards and preferred component lists
• Create controls specifications for manufacturing equipment vendors and line integrators
• Support integration of in-line hardware and controls into enterprise and manufacturing execution systems and ensure data continuity between systems
• Work closely with manufacturing engineering and operations to capture use cases and requirements towards the controls systems.
• Collaborate with Quality and Data Engineering to define methods and tools to capture critical process information and data in line and ensure traceability requirements.
• Develop code standards / templates to be used by line integrators and equipment manufacturers.
• Create buy-off and testing requirements with regards to functionality, performance and safety, to be achieved during FAT / SAT from a controls perspective.
• Lead and work with international vendors and integrators to secure state-of-the-art equipment for production, supervision and testing.
• Produce and maintain clear documentation, including code, specifications, and design justifications.
• Act as a technically credible problem‑solver in ambiguous environments, closing decisions and keeping programs moving at pace.

Who you are

• A senior automation / controls Engineer with extensive firsthand expertise and experience in automated, complex manufacturing with highest quality standards
• Experienced working on complex, integrated manufacturing systems.

Ideally in aerospace, defence, or other high‑performance, cross functional environments under intense time pressure.

• Able to work in green field, shaping policy and standards from ground off.
• Dealing well with ambiguity and uncertainty, willing to anticipate, test and reconsider if necessary.
• Strong automation engineering fundamentals and understanding. Covering various levels of integration from an MES level down to PLC code structure.
• Pragmatic and delivery‑focused, able to make sound engineering trade‑offs without over‑engineering
• Comfortable collaborating across disciplines and acting as a technical integrator, not just a specialist.
• Hands‑on by instinct, willing to support build, integration, and test when needed.
• Calm and effective in ambiguous, fast‑moving environments where priorities evolve.
• Motivated by building real, high‑consequence hardware where mechanical and system correctness truly matter.

What we offer

• A mission driven environment with the opportunity to work on one of Europe’s most consequential defence challenges, with direct impact on sovereign capability and security.
• Daily collaboration with top experts across engineering, operations, and defence, with real opportunity to learn from the best, contribute, and grow.
• High ownership and autonomy; no time tracking, no micromanagement, just clear objectives and accountability for outcomes.
• A fast paced environment where good ideas are implemented quickly, and feedback from test and flight drives real decisions.
• A culture that values clarity, integrity, and excellence, and supports people who take initiative and push boundaries responsibly.
• Competitive compensation and real share options aligned to responsibility and impact, not tenure or hierarchy.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information.

These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment.

Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans.

If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.