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- Tasks: Transform the Controls department with innovative PLC code and modular solutions.
- Company: Leading Agri-Tech company revolutionising sustainable food production.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, extensive package, and career-defining opportunities.
- Why this job: Be a key player in global food tech innovation and automation.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in Controls Engineering with deep PLC programming expertise.
- Other info: Join a modern engineering showcase with excellent growth potential.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 78000 £ per year.
Next Generation Agri-Tech in Birmingham, c. £65,000 pa + Extensive and Competitive Package.
The Company: This state-of-the-art Agri-Tech / Bio-Technology business is working with cutting-edge equipment, technologies, and processes to deliver the best-in-class and most sustainable food production equipment and processes to the global consumer market. They work with some of the leading distributors and suppliers across the UK and Europe, and their facility is purpose-built and a true modern engineering showcase for the next generation of food production processes.
This is a career-defining, highly technology role. You won’t just be writing PLC code - you’ll be the catalyst that transforms the entire Controls department and enables truly modular, "flat-pack" solutions that can be built in the UK and shipped anywhere in the world (including resource-constrained regions) with minimal on-site engineering skill required.
The Mission:
- Own the creation of a best-in-class software roadmap & standardised, modular PLC/HMI/Drive architecture.
- Drive digitalisation: full simulation modelling & digital twin validation before any code leaves the building.
- Design systems that slash OPEX for clients through extreme automation and reliability.
- Lead the shift to repeatable, deskilled global deployment of multi-megawatt Agri-Tech systems.
Day-to-day you’ll:
- Develop PLC/HMI/SCADA code (Siemens TIA Portal & Rockwell essential, others welcome) for highly automated systems.
- Create modular software blocks, node maps, and reusable libraries.
- Run simulation & HiL testing to prove code before FAT.
- Produce FDS, risk assessments, RAMS, and drive hardware standardisation.
- Manage subcontractors (panel build, site wiring, commissioning) for cost & timeline.
- Support FAT/SAT and occasional site commissioning/fault-finding.
- Build the "lessons learnt" culture so we never make the same mistake twice.
You’ll thrive here if you have:
- 5+ years as a Controls/Automation Engineer on complex M&E projects (manufacturing plants, food processing, data centres, pharma, or similar).
- Deep PLC programming expertise - Siemens TIA Portal and/or Allen-Bradley Studio 5000.
- Experience of modular/repeatable automation design and digital twins/simulation.
- Strong project management - able to run multiple streams and subcontractors.
- Degree in Electrical/Control Engineering or equivalent.
This is the role for the Controls Engineer who wants to look back in 10 years and say "I standardised the way the world now builds this technology".
Strictly confidential - your application comes direct to us as the retained search partner. Apply and please quote job reference number 10205.
Controls Engineer in Birmingham employer: Lord Search & Selection
Contact Detail:
Lord Search & Selection Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Controls Engineer in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best PLC programming projects and automation designs. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can do and set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common technical questions related to Controls Engineering. Be ready to discuss your experience with Siemens TIA Portal and Rockwell Studio 5000, as well as your approach to modular automation design.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets directly to us. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to engage with our process.
We think you need these skills to ace Controls Engineer in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Agri-Tech: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for Agri-Tech shine through! We want to see how your experience aligns with our mission of sustainable food production. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on that relate to this field.
Highlight Your Technical Skills: Make sure to emphasise your PLC programming expertise, especially with Siemens TIA Portal and Rockwell. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so don’t hold back on showcasing your technical prowess in your written application!
Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate a well-structured application. Keep your language clear and to the point, making it easy for us to see your qualifications. Use bullet points if necessary to highlight key achievements and skills relevant to the Controls Engineer role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application directly. Plus, make sure to quote the job reference number 10205 to help us track your application easily.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lord Search & Selection
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in PLC programming, especially with Siemens TIA Portal and Rockwell Studio 5000. Brush up on your knowledge of modular automation design and digital twins, as these are key to the role. Being able to discuss specific projects where you've applied these skills will really impress.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to manage multiple streams and subcontractors effectively. Think about times when you’ve led a project from start to finish, focusing on how you ensured timelines and costs were met. This will demonstrate your readiness for the fast-paced environment they operate in.
✨Emphasise Problem-Solving Experience
Be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in previous roles, particularly in fault-finding or during FAT/SAT processes. Sharing specific instances where you’ve implemented solutions that improved efficiency or reduced costs will show you’re proactive and results-driven.
✨Cultural Fit is Key
Research the company’s mission and values, especially their focus on sustainability and innovation in Agri-Tech. Be prepared to explain how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to building a 'lessons learnt' culture within the team.
