At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and implement PLC control systems for exciting industrial projects.
- Company: Join a growing engineering team in a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and long-term career development.
- Other info: Work on varied and technically challenging projects with ongoing training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact with innovative control solutions across diverse energy sectors.
- Qualifications: Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field; strong PLC programming skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: Kent (Hybrid – 2/3 days office-based, remainder working from home)
Salary: Competitive (DOE)
Hours: Full Time, Permanent
The Opportunity
We are currently recruiting for an experienced Electrical Controls Engineer to join a growing engineering team delivering bespoke electrical control systems across industrial projects. This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer with a strong background in PLC programming, control systems and electrical design who enjoys taking ownership of projects from concept through to commissioning.
Working within a collaborative engineering environment, you will be responsible for designing and delivering control systems, producing technical documentation, supporting commissioning activities and ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget and to customer specifications. This is a hybrid position, with approximately 2–3 days per week based in the Kent office and the remainder working remotely, alongside occasional travel to customer sites for commissioning and support activities. Candidates from industrial automation, manufacturing, process engineering, power generation, utilities, renewable energy or wider energy sectors are encouraged to apply.
The Role
As a PLC Controls Design Engineer, you will take technical ownership of multiple projects, working closely with customers, suppliers and internal engineering teams to deliver high-quality control solutions. You will be responsible for developing PLC software, reviewing electrical schematics, supporting commissioning activities and ensuring projects meet both technical and commercial objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, develop and implement PLC control systems for industrial and process applications.
- Produce project-specific engineering and technical documentation.
- Deliver projects on time, within budget and in line with customer specifications.
- Interpret LV and HV electrical schematics for system integration and fault diagnosis.
- Develop PLC software using platforms such as Allen-Bradley or Schneider Electric.
- Develop and modify HMI and SCADA interfaces for system monitoring and operator control.
- Develop and implement circuit breaker control logic, switching sequences and protection schemes.
- Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) and commissioning activities.
- Produce technical documentation including: Control philosophies, I/O schedules, Functional design documentation, Test procedures.
- Ensure designs comply with customer specifications and relevant industry standards.
- Maintain awareness of contractual requirements, project milestones and technical deliverables.
About You
We're looking for a proactive and technically capable Controls Engineer who enjoys solving complex engineering problems and delivering high-quality control system solutions.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Degree, HND or equivalent qualification in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems or a related discipline.
- Proven experience as a PLC Controls Engineer, Controls Design Engineer or Automation Engineer / Electrical Design Engineer.
- Background within industrial automation, manufacturing, process engineering, utilities, energy, renewable energy or power generation.
- Strong PLC programming experience using: Allen-Bradley / Schneider Electric.
- Experience developing HMI and SCADA systems.
- Strong understanding of LV electrical schematics.
- Working knowledge of HV control systems and switchgear.
- Experience interpreting electrical drawings and control schematics.
- Knowledge of circuit breaker control logic and electrical protection systems.
- Excellent fault-finding and problem-solving skills.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to work directly with customers and project teams.
Desirable Experience
- Experience with generator control systems, including ComAp controllers.
- Knowledge of generator synchronisation and load-sharing.
- Experience with G99 / G59 grid protection requirements.
- Familiarity with Modbus, TCP/IP and industrial communications protocols.
- Experience using AutoCAD Electrical or EPLAN.
- HV switching or electrical safety qualifications.
- Knowledge of renewable energy or hybrid energy systems.
What's on Offer
- Hybrid working (2–3 days office / remainder home-based).
- Competitive salary.
- Long-term career development.
- Varied and technically challenging projects.
- Supportive engineering team.
- Opportunity to work across industrial automation, control systems and energy projects.
- Ongoing training and professional development.
Electrical Control Engineer in Dartford employer: LTEK Recruitment
Ltek Recruitment is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant city of Southampton, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the marine industry. Employees benefit from competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and ample opportunities for professional growth, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in project management.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Electrical Control Engineer in Dartford
✨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 LTEK Recruitment.
✨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 LTEK Recruitment.
✨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 Electrical Control Engineer in Dartford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Technical Skills:When applying for the Electrical Control 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 LTEK Recruitment. 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 LTEK Recruitment.
How to prepare for a job interview at LTEK Recruitment
✨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 LTEK Recruitment.
✨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 LTEK Recruitment.
