At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop cutting-edge control systems for bespoke packaging machinery from concept to completion.
- Company: Join JBT Marel, a global leader in food technology with a supportive team culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, skill development, and the chance to travel internationally.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the sustainable food industry while growing your engineering skills.
- Qualifications: Strong PLC programming and multi-axis motion control experience required.
This is a hands-on, project-based engineering role working on bespoke packaging machinery. You’ll take ownership from concept to completion — delivering cutting-edge control systems and ensuring outstanding customer experiences.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop PLC, HMI, motion control & safety software
- Create electrical schematics and technical documentation
- Lead projects through full lifecycle: design ➝ coding ➝ testing ➝ commissioning ➝ training
- Collaborate with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams
- Perform fault-finding, upgrades, and on-site commissioning (UK & international travel)
- Provide remote and telephone support to customers and teams
- Explore and integrate new technologies and innovations
Required Qualifications & Experience
Essential
- Strong PLC programming experience
- Multi-axis servo motion control expertise
- HMI development experience
- Solid understanding of electrical & mechanical engineering principles
- Knowledge of functional safety regulations
- Degree / HNC / HND in a relevant field
Desirable (but not essential)
- Mitsubishi control systems experience
- IoT skills (HTML, databases, high-level coding, cybersecurity)
- Familiarity with TCP/IP, Modbus, OPC UA
- Project management experience
- Knowledge of CE, UL, Machinery Directive, ISO/EN 13849-1
- Experience within the food industry
Personal Attributes
- Positive, proactive mindset
- Strong problem-solver who thrives on technical challenges
- Comfortable working under pressure and to deadlines
- Excellent communicator with a customer-first approach
Why Join JBT Marel?
This isn’t just another engineering role — it’s your chance to:
- Work on innovative, real-world machinery
- Contribute to a more sustainable, efficient food industry
- Be part of a supportive, down-to-earth team
- See the impact of your work across the UK and beyond
- Grow your skills in a fast-paced, forward-thinking environment
Shape the Future of Food
At JBT Marel, we’re not just supporting the food industry — we’re helping to transform it. As a global leader in food technology, we design and deliver innovative solutions that enable food producers worldwide to operate more efficiently, maintain the highest quality standards, and move towards a more sustainable future.
Our Adlington site is a key part of that global impact. Here, you’ll be part of a collaborative, forward-thinking team where ideas are valued, ownership is encouraged, and contributions truly matter. We combine technical excellence with a practical, hands-on approach, creating an environment where people can thrive and make a real difference.
Everything we do is guided by our core values: Create with Collaboration. Serve with Integrity. Grow with Excellence. Advance with Innovation. These principles shape not only how we work — but how we succeed, together.
R&D Control System Engineer employer: JBT Marel
JBT Marel is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a commitment to employee growth, you will benefit from comprehensive training, a supportive team culture, and opportunities for career advancement within a global network. Located in a vibrant industry sector, we prioritise diversity and well-being, ensuring that our employees enjoy attractive benefits such as private healthcare and generous annual leave, making JBT Marel a rewarding place to build your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land R&D Control System 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 JBT Marel.
✨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 JBT Marel.
✨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 R&D Control System Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Technical Skills:When applying for the R&D Control System 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 JBT Marel. 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 JBT Marel.
How to prepare for a job interview at JBT Marel
✨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 JBT Marel.
✨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 JBT Marel.
