At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop PLC control software for exciting industrial automation projects.
- Company: Established engineering business with a strong growth trajectory.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, paid overtime, 23 days holiday, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and excellent career development potential.
- Why this job: Join a collaborative team and work on diverse projects across various industries.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in controls engineering with strong PLC software development skills.
The predicted salary is between 38250 - 46750 £ per year.
Job Description
- Controls Engineer
- Coventry | West Midlands
- Permanent | Full-Time
Rise10 Recruitment are currently supporting an established and growing engineering business in the recruitment of an experienced Controls Engineer.
Following a strong financial year and the recent award of two significant new projects, the business is continuing to expand its controls engineering team.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Controls Engineer / Automation Engineer to work on a diverse range of industrial automation and machinery projects, taking ownership of controls software from initial design and development through to testing, commissioning and customer handover.
The Opportunity
As a Controls Engineer, you will be responsible for the development, testing and commissioning of PLC, HMI and safety-related control systems across a variety of industrial applications.
The role will be primarily based around Coventry, with travel to customer sites required during installation and commissioning phases.
Depending on the project, there may be occasional overnight stays and weekend working, with approved additional hours paid.
You’ll work closely with project managers, electrical design, panel build, installation and commissioning teams, giving you genuine involvement across the full project lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop PLC control software from first principles for industrial machinery and automation systems.
- Design and develop software using Siemens TIA Portal / S7 and/or Rockwell Studio 5000.
- Develop, test and validate safety-related control software against project requirements and safety matrices.
- Configure and commission VFDs, servo drives, motion systems, remote I/O and fieldbus networks.
- Work with industrial communication protocols including Profinet, Profibus and Ether Net/IP.
- Read and interpret electrical drawings, I/O schedules and functional specifications and translate these into effective control solutions.
- Carry out practical electrical and controls fault-finding during build, testing and site commissioning.
- Produce and maintain technical documentation including FDS, testing documentation, commissioning records and O&M information.
- Support legacy control systems where required.
- Commission systems at customer sites and provide support through to successful customer handover.
- Work collaboratively with wider engineering and project teams to deliver projects safely, efficiently and to a high standard.
What We're Looking For
We're keen to speak with experienced Controls Engineers who have a strong background in industrial automation, machinery or control systems.
You should ideally have
- Around 5+ years' experience developing PLC software from first principles.
- Strong experience with Siemens TIA Portal / S7 and/or Rockwell Studio 5000.
- Experience developing and commissioning safety-related control software.
- Hands-on experience with VFDs, servo drives, motion systems, industrial networks and remote I/O.
- The ability to confidently read electrical drawings, I/O schedules and functional specifications.
- Practical experience of fault-finding and commissioning control systems.
- Experience producing clear technical documentation.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with customers and project teams.
- A full UK driving licence.
- Existing right to work in the UK.
The following would be advantageous but aren't essential
- Siemens S7 Classic, STL / IL and experience supporting legacy systems.
- Industrial robots, particularly KUKA, ABB or FANUC.
- Motion control platforms including Siemens, Rockwell or Bosch Rexroth.
- CNC systems, particularly Siemens, Bosch or FANUC.
- Functional safety or machine safety training.
- HMI, SCADA or vision systems.
- Experience with EPLAN Electric P8 from a controls or commissioning perspective.
What’s On Offer?
- £45,000 – £60,000 salary, depending on experience.
- Paid overtime for approved additional hours worked.
- 23 days' holiday plus bank holidays.
- 37.5-hour working week.
- Workplace pension.
- Training and development opportunities, including supplier-led training.
- Exposure to a wide variety of industries, technologies and automation projects.
- Flexible / hybrid working may be available during suitable software design phases.
- A collaborative engineering environment with opportunities to develop your technical expertise.
- The opportunity to work on interesting projects from initial software development through to live commissioning.
- Projects can span a range of sectors, including: Automotive | Food & Beverage | Aerospace | Pharmaceutical | Printing | Logistics
If you're an experienced Controls Engineer looking for a role where you can work across the full project lifecycle, develop your technical skills and get involved with varied industrial automation projects, we'd be keen to hear from you.
Apply today or contact Rise10 Recruitment for a confidential discussion about the opportunity!
Controls Engineer in Coventry employer: Rise10 Recruitment
Join a leading engineering business in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, where your expertise as a Senior Project Manager will be valued and rewarded. With a strong focus on employee development, a collaborative work culture, and opportunities for international travel, you'll be part of a team that delivers innovative food processing solutions globally. Enjoy competitive salaries, a supportive environment, and the chance to lead high-impact projects that make a difference in the industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Controls Engineer in Coventry
✨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 Rise10 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 Controls Engineer position at Rise10 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 Rise10 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 Controls Engineer role at Rise10 Recruitment!
We think you need these skills to ace Controls Engineer in Coventry
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 Rise10 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 Rise10 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 Rise10 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 Rise10 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.
