Control System Engineer

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Job title Software and Controls Engineer

Location: Royston, England

Type: Contract 6 months

Business Overview & Context

We are a global leader in science, driving a cleaner and healthier world through over 200 years of innovation. Our technological breakthroughs enhance the function, performance, and safety of customer products, impacting areas such as low-emission transport, pharmaceuticals, chemical processing, and efficient use of natural resources. With over 14,000 professionals worldwide, we collaborate with customers and partners to make a meaningful difference. The Efficient Natural Resources sector, one of four autonomous sectors, generates approximately £1 billion in revenue (or £7 billion including precious metals) with global operations. The Platinum Group Metal Services (PGMS) business manages, distributes, refines, and recycles precious metals, manufactures related products, and provides management services, with operations in the UK, US, and China, serving key markets in Europe, the US, and Asia.

Job Purpose

The Software and Controls Engineer (SCE), reporting to the Maintenance Manager within the Engineering Support Team, is responsible for designing, installing, managing, and maintaining equipment and software for PLC and SCADA systems used to monitor and control plant systems at the Royston site. The role primarily focuses on software-related tasks, including fault finding, testing logic coding, implementing changes to control infrastructure per Management of Change (MOC) requests, and representing software and controls in HAZOP studies and Process Hazard Analyses (PHA). The SCE will also provide software and controls expertise for site projects, including modifications to existing systems or new installations.

Principal Accountabilities

• Provide expert knowledge of PLC systems, with a preference for Omron and Allen-Bradley platforms.
• Demonstrate expertise in SCADA systems, particularly Wonderware (InTouch) and Inductive Automation’s Ignition packages.
• Lead resolution of software-related breakdowns and provide reactive plant support.
• Support the maintenance team, particularly E&I Technicians, in resolving control and instrumentation issues.
• Execute software-related planned maintenance tasks.
• Contribute software expertise to small projects, acting as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Management of Change reviews.
• Support project teams during initial design stages, advising on software and controls equipment selection to enhance plant reliability and maintainability.
• Implement and review controls strategies to meet current and future business needs.
• Ensure compliance with recognized standards for alarm management and safety-related control functions to deliver process safety.
• Interpret technical drawings to support planning, execution, and material specification for job duties.
• Provide software support for Instrumentation Loop testing to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards when required.
• Take ownership of personal training and development plans.
• Manage contractors brought on-site, ensuring adherence to company standards and escalating issues as needed.
• Monitor and maintain controls network infrastructure, including server health, data replication/backup verification, database administration for Industrial Automation and Control Systems (IACS), and malware/antivirus countermeasures.
• Participate in the call-out rota for out-of-hours support.

EHS, Quality & Security

• Contribute to investigations and reporting of software, controls, and security incidents, near misses, and breaches to prevent recurrence.
• Escalate concerns to the SME, Maintenance Manager, or relevant manager as needed.
• Ensure quality outputs and effective task closure to company standards.
• Adhere to permit-to-work systems.
• Drive lean initiatives within the department.
• Ensure completion of 5S checks and housekeeping tasks.
• Initiate and support continuous improvement projects.

Organizational Structure

The role involves independent and collaborative work with the Maintenance Manager, Reliability Engineer, Engineering Planner, Compliance Engineer, Maintenance Lead, Team Leaders, Deputy Team Leader, operating department members, and apprentices. Responsibilities include:

• Leading software-related breakdown resolutions and reactive plant support.
• Supporting E&I Technicians with control and instrumentation issues.
• Executing software planned maintenance.
• Acting as SME in Management of Change reviews for small projects.
• Supervising contractors within the scope of responsibility.
• Collaborating with project teams for successful software and controls integration in new plant and equipment.

Special Factors

• Travel: Primarily based at the Royston site, with occasional travel for collaborative work or training.
• Work Environment: Primarily office-based with occasional visits to operational areas (pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical).
• Physical Demands: Occasional lifting or moving of up to 25kg.

Person Specification

Qualifications, Knowledge, and Experience

• Formal electronic/controls qualification (e.g., Degree, HNC/HND, or equivalent recognized training).
• Skills in Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) (Omron, Allen-Bradley) and SCADA systems, preferably Wonderware.
• Experience in a software/controls function within large-scale manufacturing or chemical facilities.
• Knowledge of network infrastructure, architecture, and administration.
• Expertise in Windows Server (2008, 2012, 2016), Microsoft SQL Server (2000, 2008, 2012), Active Directory, Terminal Services, Thin Client architecture, and MS licensing.
• Ability to read and understand instrument and electrical drawings.
• Knowledge of hazardous areas (DSEAR/ATEX).

Personal Skills and Key Competencies

• Ability to lead by example.
• Deliver innovative and practical solutions.
• Communicate clearly and impartially.
• Build strategic working relationships.
• High energy and enthusiasm.
• Business and customer awareness.
• Operate with integrity and authenticity.
• Delegate responsibility effectively.
• Understand EHS management principles.
• Work independently, prioritizing and planning workload.
• Distil complex situations into clear, simple summaries for non-experts and senior leadership.
• Proven leadership and decision-making skills.

Company Values

• Protect people and the planet.
• Act with integrity.
• Work together.
• Innovate and improve.
• Own what we do.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Contract

Job function

• Job function

  Engineering, Information Technology, and Management

• Industries

  Chemical Manufacturing

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