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- Tasks: Lead and mentor a dynamic controls engineering team while driving innovative projects.
- Company: Established engineering business in Leicester with a forward-thinking approach.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £60K+, influence on business direction, and opportunity for team building.
- Other info: Join a stable, growing business with a strong future pipeline and excellent career prospects.
- Why this job: Shape a high-performing team and work on complex automation projects that make a difference.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in controls/automation, strong PLC programming skills, and excellent problem-solving abilities.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 £ per year.
Due to continued growth and a strong pipeline of projects, we are recruiting for an experienced Head of Controls Engineering to join a well-established and forward-thinking engineering business based in Leicester. This is a senior leadership role, ideal for someone looking to take full ownership of the controls function, leading from the front while driving technical excellence and team performance.
Roles & Responsibilities
- Leadership & Strategy
- Lead, mentor, and develop the controls engineering team
- Define and implement controls engineering strategy and best practices
- Drive continuous improvement across systems, processes, and delivery
- Project Delivery
- Oversee multiple automation and controls projects from concept through to commissioning
- Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to specification
- Support project managers and engineering teams with technical guidance
- Technical Oversight
- Maintain high standards across PLC programming, HMI/SCADA systems, and controls architecture
- Approve designs, specifications, and technical documentation
- Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations
- Customer & Stakeholder Management
- Act as a senior technical point of contact for customers
- Support with project bids, proposals, and technical solutions
- Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Resource & Performance Management
- Manage team workload and resource allocation
- Support recruitment and team growth
- Monitor performance, quality, and delivery metrics
Requirements
- Proven experience in a Controls / Automation leadership role
- Strong background in PLC programming (e.g. Siemens, Allen Bradley, etc.)
- Experience with HMI / SCADA systems and full controls architecture
- Previous experience leading or managing engineering teams
- Strong understanding of automation systems, special purpose machinery, or manufacturing environments
- Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Strong communication and stakeholder management ability
- Commercial awareness with the ability to balance technical and business needs
What's on Offer
- Salary of £60,000+ depending on experience
- Senior leadership role with real influence on business direction
- Opportunity to build and shape a high-performing controls team
- Work on complex, high-value engineering and automation projects
- Stable, growing business with strong future pipeline
Next Steps
Apply to this Head of Controls role through this advert. If you would like more information about this role, please contact Charlie in our Engineering team on 0116 262 3733. If successful, you will need to digitally register with our agency (if you haven't already done so). If you have not been contacted regarding your application within 7 days, please assume that you have not been successful. We will, however, retain your application for any future roles for which you may be suitable.
About Regional Recruitment
This position is being advertised by Regional Recruitment Services Ltd, an award-winning independent recruitment agency established in 2008. We specialise in permanent, temporary, and contract opportunities across the Commercial, Construction, Industrial, Technology, and Engineering sectors.
Head of Controls in Loughborough employer: Regional Recruitment Services
Contact Detail:
Regional Recruitment Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Controls in Loughborough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, especially those who might know about opportunities in controls and automation. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to job openings that aren't even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and leadership skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with PLC programming and how you've driven team performance in past roles. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving abilities during interviews. Share specific examples of challenges you've faced in controls engineering and how you overcame them. This will demonstrate your expertise and decision-making skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you to join our growing team in Leicester.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Controls in Loughborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Controls role. Highlight your experience in controls engineering, leadership, and project delivery. We want to see how your skills match 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 the perfect fit for this senior leadership role. Share specific examples of your achievements in controls engineering and team management.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to mention your expertise in PLC programming and HMI/SCADA systems. We’re keen on seeing how you’ve applied these skills in previous roles, so be specific about your technical accomplishments.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Regional Recruitment Services
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your PLC programming knowledge, especially with systems like Siemens and Allen Bradley. Be ready to discuss your experience with HMI/SCADA systems and how you've implemented controls architecture in past projects.
✨Show Leadership Skills
As a Head of Controls, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've mentored teams, driven performance improvements, and managed project delivery. Highlight your experience in leading engineering teams and how you've fostered a collaborative environment.
✨Understand the Business
It's crucial to balance technical expertise with commercial awareness. Be prepared to discuss how you've aligned engineering strategies with business goals in previous roles. Show that you understand the importance of stakeholder management and building strong relationships.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect in-depth technical questions related to automation systems and controls. Brush up on industry standards and regulations, and be ready to explain how you've ensured compliance in your previous projects. This will showcase your technical oversight capabilities.