At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead automation projects and optimise control systems in a fast-paced snack manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join Proper Snacks, the UK's fastest-growing major snacks company with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on innovative snack production while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in industrial automation, PLC programming, and project management required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 ÂŁ per year.
The Person
At Proper Snacks, we’re passionate about creating innovative, healthy snacks with bold flavours and sustainable practices. Based in Nuneaton, our production site is home to a fast‑paced, high‑spec manufacturing environment where teamwork, innovation, and quality are at the heart of everything we do. An experienced and forward‑thinking Controls Systems & Project Engineer who thrives in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment. You will be a subject matter expert in automation and control systems, with the ability to diagnose complex issues, drive continuous improvement, and lead technical projects. You’re comfortable working across both hands‑on engineering support and strategic project delivery, influencing stakeholders and driving standards across site.
The Role
As a Controls Systems & Project Engineer, you will play a critical role in maintaining, improving, and future‑proofing our automation and control systems across site. You will lead on control system reliability, optimisation, and development, while also managing and delivering engineering projects that improve performance, safety, and efficiency. This role bridges operational support and capital delivery, ensuring our systems are robust, compliant, and scalable for future growth.
Responsibilities
- Act as the site subject matter expert for control systems and automation
- Provide advanced fault finding and technical support to minimise downtime and improve reliability
- Maintain, modify, and optimise PLC/HMI/SCADA systems (Siemens, Omron, Allen‑Bradley)
- Develop and implement preventative and predictive maintenance strategies for automation systems
- Lead control system upgrades, obsolescence management, and standardisation across site
- Own and maintain software backups, version control, and documentation
- Support and improve data capture, system diagnostics, and performance monitoring
- Ensure all systems comply with relevant safety standards and functional safety requirements
- Lead and deliver engineering projects from concept through to completion (scope, cost, timeline) – General Engineering improvement related projects also.
- Manage contractors and system integrators, ensuring safe and compliant delivery
- Collaborate with operations and engineering teams to drive continuous improvement initiatives
- Support development of site automation strategy and digitalisation roadmap
- Drive high standards of health & safety, compliance, and engineering governance
Requirements
Essential
- Strong experience in industrial automation within a manufacturing environment
- Proven expertise in PLC programming and fault finding (Siemens, Omron, Allen‑Bradley)
- Experience with SCADA systems and HMI development
- Proven experience delivering engineering projects from concept to completion
- Ability to manage project scope, budget, timelines, and risks effectively
- Knowledge of industrial communication protocols (Profinet, Ethernet/IP, Modbus)
- Experience delivering engineering or automation projects
- Strong problem‑solving, analytical, and structured approach
- Ability to influence, communicate, and work cross‑functionally
- Electrically competent with understanding of BS7671 / industrial electrical systems
Desirable
- Experience with functional safety standards (ISO 13849, IEC 61508, IEC 62061)
- Knowledge of robotics, motion control, or advanced automation
- Experience in food manufacturing or FMCG environment
- Familiarity with data systems, IIoT, or digital manufacturing tools
- IOSH / NEBOSH or equivalent Health & Safety qualification
About PS
PROPER SNACKS is the home of PROPER and Eat Real. The UK’s fastest‑growing major snacks company. We’re a diverse team of builders, thinkers, creators and makers‑based in London and Nuneaton and serving snackers across Europe. Our brilliant team are united by an insatiable curiosity and driven by an entrepreneurial spirit. At PROPER SNACKS, we don’t sit still. We scale fast, dream big and back our people to make stuff happen. Our values keep us grounded: Be builder. Dream bigger. Seriously fun. Whether you’re joining us in London – where the brands are built, and big ideas take flight. Or in Nuneaton where magic happens in our factory and every bag gets made – you’ll be part of a team shaking up the snacking world.
Our Approach
PROPER and Eat Real is an equal opportunities employer and we do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability, or age. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to accommodate you to participate fully in the recruitment or interview process.
Controls Systems & Project Engineer in Nuneaton employer: PROPER SNACKS
Contact Detail:
PROPER SNACKS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Controls Systems & Project Engineer in Nuneaton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Proper Snacks and understanding their values and products. Tailor your answers to show how your skills in automation and control systems align with their mission of innovation and quality.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your hands-on experience! Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've optimised PLC/HMI/SCADA systems. Use real examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and how you’ve driven continuous improvement.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Proper Snacks team.
We think you need these skills to ace Controls Systems & Project Engineer in Nuneaton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for innovative snacks and sustainable practices shine through. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited about what we do at Proper Snacks!
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your experience in industrial automation and project delivery. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t be shy about showcasing your expertise in PLC programming and fault finding.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your achievements and experiences are easy to read and understand. Bullet points can work wonders here!
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at PROPER SNACKS
✨Know Your Automation Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of PLC programming and fault finding, especially with Siemens, Omron, and Allen-Bradley systems. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've optimised or maintained these systems, as this will show your hands-on experience.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare to talk about engineering projects you've led from start to finish. Highlight how you managed scope, budget, and timelines, and be ready to share any challenges you faced and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your ability to deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Think of examples where you've driven continuous improvement initiatives. Whether it's through implementing predictive maintenance strategies or enhancing system diagnostics, showing your proactive approach to improving processes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions related to industrial communication protocols like Profinet and Modbus. Brush up on your knowledge of functional safety standards too, as this could come up. Being able to confidently answer these questions will showcase your expertise and readiness for the role.