PLC Control Systems Engineer in Erith

Location: Cambridgeshire / London / Belvedere

Hybrid Working Pattern: Office-based 2 days per week, with UK site travel as required

Salary: Competitive / DOE

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Reports to: Controls Lead

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced PLC Control Systems Engineer with approximately 5-10 years experience to join our growing controls team. This is an exciting opportunity for an engineer with strong industrial automation and power systems experience to take ownership of control system projects from initial design through to programming, testing, commissioning and handover. You will work across a range of power solutions projects, including diesel generator control systems, switchgear, ATS/AMF panels, synchronisation and load-sharing systems, together with associated HMI and SCADA applications. The role covers the full project lifecycle, including FDS/DDS development, PLC and HMI programming, FAT, SAT, site commissioning and customer handover. You will work closely with electrical design engineers, project managers, panel builders and clients to deliver safe, robust and maintainable control systems. UK and USA Government clearance is required for this position.

Key Responsibilities

• Control System Design & Development
  • Produce and take ownership of control system documentation, including: User Requirement Specifications (URS), Functional Design Specifications (FDS), Detailed/Software Design Specifications (DDS/SDS), I/O lists, Cause & Effect matrices, Alarm schedules, Test plans.
  • Develop PLC, HMI and SCADA applications in accordance with company coding standards and client specifications.
  • Write system code from conception and design through to final implementation.
  • Configure and integrate generator controllers, including DSE, ComAp and Woodward.
  • Develop and integrate generator synchronisation, load sharing, load management, ATS/AMF systems, black-start functionality, priority management, breaker control.
  • Interface PLC systems with protection relays, power meters, circuit breakers, UPS systems and BMS/EMS platforms.
  • Work closely with electrical design teams on control panel design, wiring schematics and cable schedules.
  • Liaise with panel builders during manufacture, testing and modification.
• Testing & Commissioning
  • Lead and support FAT, SAT, I/O checks, loop testing and system simulation.
  • Commission PLC, HMI, SCADA and generator control systems on customer sites.
  • Troubleshoot PLC hardware/software, HMI/SCADA applications and industrial communications networks.
  • Identify root causes of system issues and implement robust corrective actions.
  • Produce commissioning documentation and site reports.
  • Prepare handover documentation, as-built software and change logs.
  • Provide customer training and technical support for O&M teams.
• Documentation, Quality & Compliance
  • Maintain effective software version control, change management and reusable code libraries.
  • Contribute to Git-based development and version-control workflows.
  • Ensure systems are designed and implemented in accordance with applicable industry standards and good engineering practice.
  • Work with functional safety principles and relevant standards, including IEC 60204-1, IEC 61511 / SIL principles, PUWER Machinery Directive / UKCA, BS 7671 principles.
  • Contribute to RAMS for commissioning and site activities.
  • Work within ISO 9001 quality procedures and company engineering standards.
• OT Networking & Cybersecurity
  • Design, configure and commission industrial Ethernet networks.
  • Work with managed switches, VLANs, NAT and routing.
  • Configure and troubleshoot industrial communication protocols, including Modbus TCP/RTU, Profinet, Profibus, EtherNet/IP, OPC UA.
  • Knowledge of IEC 61850 and DNP3 would be advantageous.
  • Implement secure OT network architectures, segmentation and access controls.
  • Support the hardening of PLC, HMI and SCADA systems.
  • Apply appropriate password management, backup and access-control policies in line with industry best practice.
• Continuous Improvement & Technical Support
  • Mentor and support junior control systems engineers.
  • Contribute to company coding standards, reusable function blocks, templates and engineering tools.
  • Provide remote and on-site technical support.
  • Carry out root-cause analysis and recommend preventative maintenance measures.
  • Identify opportunities to improve system reliability, maintainability and lifecycle cost.
  • Support the development of standardised and reusable control solutions.

Technical Skills & Experience

• PLC / HMI / SCADA Essential: Strong experience developing industrial PLC control systems from initial design/concept through to commissioning. Experience with Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Studio 5000. Experience with Siemens TIA Portal, including SCL and/or Ladder. Experience with WinCC / WinCC Unified and/or FactoryTalk View. Ability to produce structured, maintainable and well-documented PLC software.
• Desirable: Schneider EcoStruxure, Mitsubishi GX Works, Beckhoff TwinCAT, AVEVA / Wonderware Ignition.
• Generator & Power Systems: Experience with generator and power control systems is highly desirable, particularly: Deep Sea Electronics (DSE), ComAp, Woodward, generator synchronisation, load sharing and load management, breaker control, ATS / AMF systems, protection relay interfaces, power meters, UPS systems, BMS / EMS interfaces.
• Industrial Networks & Communications: Good understanding of industrial networking, including Layer 2 / Layer 3 networking concepts, VLANs, NAT, routing, industrial Ethernet, industrial firewalls, Modbus TCP/RTU, Profinet, Profibus, EtherNet/IP, OPC UA.
• Electrical & Safety: Ability to read, interpret and mark up electrical schematics. Understanding of panel layouts, wiring diagrams and cable schedules. Awareness of relevant electrical and machinery safety standards. Understanding of functional safety and SIL concepts. Awareness of IEC 60204-1, BS 7671 and PUWER. Experience contributing to RAMS and safe systems of work.

Qualifications & Certifications

The ideal candidate will have: Degree or HND in Electrical, Electronic, Control/Automation or Mechatronics Engineering, or equivalent practical experience. Previous experience in industrial controls, automation or power systems. Full UK driving licence. Ability and willingness to travel to customer sites across the UK. ECS/CSCS or relevant safety passport would be advantageous. Functional Safety training or certification, such as TV, would be advantageous. CompEx / ATEX awareness would be advantageous where relevant.

Personal Attributes

We are looking for someone who is methodical, organised and safety-focused. Quality-driven with excellent attention to detail. A strong problem solver who can work effectively under pressure, particularly during commissioning. Confident communicating with customers, site teams, project managers and other engineers. Comfortable working independently while also being a strong team player. Willing to mentor and support junior engineers. Proactive in identifying improvements and resolving technical issues. Professional and customer-focused.

Working Pattern & Travel

This is a hybrid role requiring attendance at our London/Belvedere office approximately two days per week, with additional travel to customer sites, factories and FAT locations as required. The successful candidate must be willing to travel to sites across the UK and occasionally work away from home depending on project requirements.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Full-time, permanent employment.
• Company pension scheme.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Company laptop and mobile phone.
• Training and professional development support.
• Support towards relevant engineering and project management certifications, including Siemens, Allen-Bradley, 18th Edition, APM / PRINCE2.
• Professional membership support, including IET and APM.
• Flexible site travel expenses.
• Private healthcare following successful completion of probation.
• Opportunity to work on technically challenging power and control systems projects.
• Career development opportunities within a growing engineering business.

Eligibility & Security Clearance

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK and hold either a British passport or UK settlement status. Due to the nature of our projects, UK and USA Government security clearance is required for this position.

Equal Opportunities

Bells Power Control Systems is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified and experienced individuals and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment.