At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop innovative control systems and electrical panels for diverse industries.
- Company: Join a growing engineering firm with a collaborative and friendly culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonus scheme, pension, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Exciting projects and strong career progression in a stable environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a supportive team while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in control panel design and PLC programming experience required.
Are you an enthusiastic, confident and hands-on Control & Automation Systems Design Engineer who enjoys working in a small, collaborative team? We are working with a well-established, growing engineering business designing and manufacturing bespoke automation and control systems for customers across FMCG, food & beverage, packaging, filling and wider process-based industries. Due to continued expansion, we are looking for an experienced Control & Automation Systems Design Engineer to join their friendly, highly technical team.
Excellent employee benefits including bonus scheme, Pension, Private healthcare (contributory), supportive and friendly team where your contribution genuinely matters, working on varied, interesting projects across multiple industries and real progression opportunities in a stable, growing business. This is a role where you will be genuinely valued, have real influence on projects, and enjoy a supportive environment with strong career progression opportunities.
About the Control & Automation Systems Design Engineer Role
You will take ownership of designing electrical control panels and automation systems, producing high-quality technical documentation, and supporting both internal teams and customers. Approximate split of responsibilities:
- 50% - Electrical Control & Automation Design
- Creating electrical schematics using CAD (AutoCAD Electrical, E Plan, SEE, SolidWorks Electrical or similar)
- Designing control systems including mains protection, 24VDC circuits, PLCs, digital/analogue I/O, sensors, motors, drives, safety circuits and light curtains
- Interpreting customer URS documents and asking the right technical questions
- Specifying and configuring motors/drives (Induction, VFD, Servo)
- Writing and testing basic PLC and HMI programmes
- Designing safety circuits and ensuring compliance
- 30% - Technical Documentation & Project Support
- Creating and checking BOMs
- Producing FDS, technical specifications, construction files and supporting documents
- Updating installation, operation and calibration manuals
- Researching and selecting components
- Liaising with suppliers
- Supporting development of new products
- 20% - Technical Support & Testing
- Supporting Sales and Purchasing teams
- Testing and commissioning systems
- Providing customer support via phone/email
- Occasional UK site visits for surveys, start-ups, troubleshooting, calibrations and training
Control & Automation Systems Design Engineer Skills and Experience
You will be an enthusiastic, confident and hands-on Control & Automation Systems Design Engineer who enjoys working in a small, collaborative team.
Essential Experience & Skills
- Strong electrical/control systems background
- Electrical or Controls qualification (Apprenticeship, BTEC, ONC, HNC, HND, Degree)
- Minimum 8 years industrial experience in control panel/system design
- Minimum 1 year PLC & HMI programming experience
- Highly proficient in electrical CAD software
- Able to design safety circuits
- Able to set up servo motors, drives and VFDs
- Good understanding of mechanical, electrical and pneumatic components
- Strong MS Word/Excel skills
- Excellent accuracy, detail orientation and professionalism
- Warm, helpful personality - essential for our friendly team culture
- Fluent English & right to work in the UK
Desirable Skills and Experience
- Siemens or Allen Bradley PLC editing
- Industrial camera or robotics experience
- Mechanical engineering understanding
- Machine building environment experience
- EX/CompEx/ATEX knowledge
£45,000-£50,000 + Bonus + Pension + Private Healthcare
Location: Just off M1 J36 (Between Sheffield & Leeds)
Full time | Office based | Monday-Friday
If you are an experienced Control & Automation Systems Design Engineer with an electrical bias we would love to hear from you so press APPLY now!
Kinetic plc is a Recruitment Consultancy with over 40 years of experience of delivering staffing solutions to the engineering, manufacturing and technical industries. Kinetic plc treats all applications with a high degree of care, we review all submissions and will attempt to contact applicants who match the job profile. Those that do not meet the specification may not be contacted but their CV retained to be considered against future opportunities.
Control & Automation Systems Design Engineer employer: Kinetic plc
Kinetic plc offers a dynamic work environment in Wrexham, where employees are valued and encouraged to grow. With a focus on teamwork and open communication, we provide excellent training opportunities and support for career advancement. Join us for a rewarding experience that combines competitive benefits with a commitment to employee well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Control & Automation Systems Design Engineer
✨Get Involved in Local Automation Meetups
We can’t stress this enough – getting your face out there in the automation and control systems community can really set you apart. Look for local meetups or workshops where you can chat with industry professionals, learn about what’s trending, and even discover hidden job gems. Who knows, you might meet someone from a company like Kinetic plc!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Make sure you have a portfolio of your work ready to roll. Whether it’s academic projects, internships or personal experiments, showcase how you’ve tackled automation challenges. When you apply for the Control & Automation Systems Design Engineer position at Kinetic plc, linking your portfolio gives your application that extra oomph and demonstrates your practical knowledge.
✨Leverage Your Uni Career Services
If you’re fresh out of uni, don’t forget about your career services! Many universities have established connections with companies in the automation field. They may know when Kinetic plc is looking for fresh talent or even have internships that lead to full-time positions. So, hit them up!
✨Keep an Eye on Industry Certifications
While hunting for roles, consider getting certified in relevant automation technologies. It shows dedication and gives you a leg up in the job market. Plus, many organisations offer job boards or networking events to certified professionals. This might just lead you to that coveted Control & Automation Systems Design Engineer role at Kinetic plc!
We think you need these skills to ace Control & Automation Systems Design Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for an automation-control-systems role, it’s crucial to highlight your technical skills. Whether it's your proficiency in programming languages like Python or understanding control systems, make sure your CV showcases these prominently. Don't forget to mention any specific software or tools you're experienced with – that’s music to the ears of hiring managers!
Tailor Your Projects to Automation:If you've worked on any relevant projects, especially those involving automation or control systems, make them stand out in your CV. Use a dedicated section to highlight these projects, explaining your role and the impact of your contributions. This could be the difference between getting noticed and getting overlooked!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tell us why you’re passionate about automation-control-systems! Discuss specific experiences that sparked your interest in this field. Maybe it's a university project or a previous job that truly got you hooked. We love seeing that spark! Make sure to reference how you can contribute to Kinetic plc and its goals.
Quantify Your Achievements:In the world of automation, results matter. When listing your experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you improve system efficiency by a percentage? Did you reduce downtime? Putting numbers to your successes not only demonstrates your impact but also lets us see the tangible outcomes of your efforts. It makes your application pop!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kinetic plc
✨Master Your Technical Knowledge
In the automation control systems field, you need to brush up on your technical know-how. Be prepared to talk about specific control systems you’ve worked with, such as PLCs or SCADA systems, and expect technical questions or even hands-on problem-solving scenarios during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Whether it's freelance projects or your academic work, come ready to showcase your portfolio of automation projects. Bring along any diagrams, code samples, or automation solutions you’ve implemented—these can really set you apart and demonstrate your applied skills to Kinetic plc.
✨Understand Industry Trends
Stay updated on the latest trends in automation technologies and methodologies, like Industry 4.0 or IIoT. We'll want to discuss how these concepts may affect the role and future projects at Kinetic plc, so showing that you're knowledgeable about current and emerging technologies can give you an edge.
✨Commit to Continuous Learning
As this is a full-time role, it's essential to express your eagerness for continuous improvement and learning. Share how you plan to enhance your skills and keep pace with the evolution of automation in the workforce – companies love candidates who are committed to growth and adaptability.
