At a Glance
- Tasks: Take ownership of projects from concept to commissioning in automation and machinery.
- Company: Growing engineering business in East Lancashire with a close-knit team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, paid overtime, private healthcare, profit share, and generous holiday.
- Other info: Enjoy a mix of office and site work with opportunities for international travel.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on innovative automation solutions across various industries.
- Qualifications: Experience in PLC software development and commissioning automated machinery.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Samuel Frank is recruiting for an experienced Controls Engineer to join a growing engineering business based in East Lancashire. This role will suit someone who enjoys taking ownership of projects from concept through to commissioning and wants to be involved in every stage of the project lifecycle.
The successful Controls Engineer will join a close-knit engineering team working on bespoke automation and machinery projects for customers across a range of industrial sectors (this is not a role for someone who only wants to write code!). The Controls Engineer will be involved in design reviews, software development, fault finding, build support, commissioning and customer interaction.
Key aspects of the Controls Engineer role include:
- Writing PLC and HMI software from scratch rather than modifying existing applications
- Taking projects through the full lifecycle from initial concept to final commissioning
- Supporting electrical design activities and reviewing system architectures
- Supervising machine builds and supporting FAT activities
- Carrying out commissioning work both in the UK and internationally (expect trip durations of around 2 weeks when working abroad)
- Diagnosing and resolving electrical and software faults on automated machinery
- Producing technical documentation, manuals and project records
- Liaising directly with customers throughout project delivery
- Supporting continuous improvement and helping to develop new solutions and technologies
The successful Controls Engineer should have experience of:
- PLC software development from scratch
- Commissioning automated machinery or process systems
- Electrical fault finding and diagnostics
- Working within manufacturing, machinery, automation or systems integration environments
- Factory Acceptance Testing and site commissioning activities
This position is approximately 60% office based and 40% site based, depending on the project load, offering a good balance between project development and hands-on engineering activities. The role will suit a Controls Engineer who enjoys variety, thrives in a fast-paced environment and wants genuine responsibility for delivering projects from start to finish.
In return the successful Controls Engineer will receive:
- ~£55-65k basic salary depending on experience
- ~ Paid overtime
- ~ Private healthcare (after 12 months service)
- ~ Profit share scheme
- ~22.5 days holiday plus Bank Holidays
The company is looking for a Controls Engineer who can make an immediate impact and become a key part of a growing engineering team delivering sophisticated automation solutions worldwide.
Engineer - Controls Engineering in Preston employer: Samuel Frank
Join a dynamic engineering team in East Lancashire where you will take ownership of innovative projects from concept to commissioning. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company offers competitive salaries, paid overtime, private healthcare, and a profit share scheme, all within a supportive work culture that values collaboration and continuous improvement. This role provides a unique opportunity to engage in diverse engineering activities while making a meaningful impact in the automation industry.
