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 projects with ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact with innovative control solutions across diverse 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
Locations
Facilities Electrical Engineer in Kent, Maidstone 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 Facilities Electrical Engineer in Kent, Maidstone
✨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 LTEK Recruitment!
✨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 Facilities Electrical Engineer position at LTEK Recruitment, 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 LTEK Recruitment 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 Facilities Electrical Engineer role at LTEK Recruitment!
We think you need these skills to ace Facilities Electrical Engineer in Kent, Maidstone
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 LTEK Recruitment 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 LTEK Recruitment
✨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 LTEK Recruitment.
✨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 LTEK Recruitment, 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.
