At a Glance
- Tasks: Diagnose faults, optimise systems, and drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join Magnet, a leading kitchen provider with over 100 years of innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, flexible holidays, and health support.
- Other info: Collaborative culture where your ideas are valued and career growth is encouraged.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by enhancing reliability and supporting team development.
- Qualifications: Experience in electrical fault finding and knowledge of PLC and HMI systems required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 € per year.
Salary: £45-55,000, 10% company bonus + private medical insurance
Location: Darlington
Reporting to: Head of Engineering
We’re looking for a practical, solutions-focused Controls Engineer to help keep our manufacturing operations running smoothly and efficiently. You’ll be hands‑on with fault finding, automation, and continuous improvement, working with modern control and CNC technologies in a fast‑paced production environment. This is a role where you can make a real impact by improving reliability, reducing downtime, and supporting the development of others—while working alongside skilled engineering and production teams.
What’s in it for you?
- Generous discounts: Up to 80% off our kitchen products
- Flexible holidays: Buy up to five additional days through our holiday purchase scheme
- Health & wellbeing support: 24/7 access to a virtual GP and employee assistance programme
- Lifestyle perks: Cycle to work scheme and discounts with 200+ high‑street brands
- Refer a Friend scheme
- A supportive, collaborative environment where your ideas are welcomed and encouraged
What You’ll Be Doing
- Diagnose and resolve electrical and electronic faults to minimise downtime
- Maintain, modify, and optimise PLC and HMI systems
- Programme and commission inverters (VSDs) and associated control systems
- Support and improve automation systems, including robotics and CNC woodworking machinery
- Interpret electrical schematics and technical drawings to support fault finding and improvements
- Support the installation, commissioning, and validation of new equipment
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, reliability, and performance
- Work closely with engineering and production teams to deliver robust, sustainable solutions
- Ensure all work meets health, safety, and regulatory standards
- Mentor engineers and apprentices, supporting the development of skills and knowledge across the team
Who We’re Looking For
We’re looking for someone who combines strong technical capability with a proactive, collaborative mindset. You’ll ideally have:
- Proven experience in electrical and electronic fault finding within a manufacturing environment
- Strong working knowledge of PLC and HMI systems, including programming and diagnostics
- Experience with inverter (VSD) programming and commissioning
- Exposure to industrial automation and robotics
- Experience with CNC woodworking machinery (e.g. HOMAG, BIESSE, IMA, or SCM) is advantageous but not essential
- Ability to read and interpret electrical diagrams and technical documentation
- Experience with Siemens or Allen‑Bradley PLC platforms
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
- Clear communication skills and the confidence to work independently or as part of a team
You’ll be successful in this role by living our values:
- Care – building strong relationships, working collaboratively, and supporting others to succeed
- Inspire – communicating clearly, taking ownership, and contributing ideas that move us forward
- Deliver – staying focused on results and continuously improving reliability, performance, and ways of working
About Magnet
At Magnet, we’ve been shaping the heart of the home for over 100 years. From award‑winning kitchen designs to UK‑based manufacturing, we’re proud to be one of the UK’s leading specialist kitchen providers. Our real strength is our people—their passion and commitment help us deliver exceptional products every day.
Ready to make an impact? If you’re a Controls Engineer looking for a role where your skills really make a difference, we’d love to hear from you. We’re committed to an inclusive recruitment process. If you need any reasonable adjustments during your application or interview, please let us know—we’re happy to help.
Controls Engineer employer: Nobia
At Magnet, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment where your ideas are valued. Located in Darlington, our team enjoys generous benefits such as flexible holidays, health and wellbeing support, and significant discounts on our kitchen products, all while working with cutting-edge technology in a fast-paced manufacturing setting. We are dedicated to employee growth, providing opportunities for mentorship and continuous improvement, ensuring that you can make a meaningful impact in your role as a Controls Engineer.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Controls Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, especially those who work in manufacturing. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Get hands-on! If you can, try to gain some practical experience with PLC and HMI systems or CNC machinery before applying. This will not only boost your confidence but also give you real examples to discuss during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your problem-solving skills. Be ready to tackle hypothetical scenarios related to fault finding and automation. Show them how you think on your feet!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Controls Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Controls Engineer role. Highlight your experience with PLC and HMI systems, as well as any relevant automation or CNC machinery skills. We want to see how your background aligns with what we’re looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our team. Don’t forget to mention specific projects or experiences that showcase your problem-solving skills.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In your application, be sure to highlight your technical capabilities, especially in fault finding and programming. We love candidates who can demonstrate their hands-on experience with modern control technologies and automation systems.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Magnet!
How to prepare for a job interview at Nobia
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of PLC and HMI systems, as well as inverter programming. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've diagnosed faults or optimised systems. This will show that you're not just familiar with the technology, but that you can apply it effectively in a manufacturing environment.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. Think about times when you improved reliability or reduced downtime. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, making it easy for the interviewer to see your impact.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Since this role involves working closely with engineering and production teams, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Be prepared to explain complex technical concepts in simple terms. This will demonstrate your ability to collaborate and mentor others effectively.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Highlight your commitment to continuous improvement initiatives. Discuss any past experiences where you've driven changes that enhanced safety, reliability, or performance. This aligns perfectly with the company's values and shows that you're proactive about making a positive impact.
