At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop complex control systems for mission-critical projects.
- Company: Join Thermo Systems, a global leader in automation solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, and a casual team culture.
- Other info: Remote work options with travel and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact in innovative projects while growing your engineering skills.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in controls engineering and strong technical knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Location: Remote in Europe | Project Site Based or Remote w/Travel (as applicable)
Employment Status: Full Time | Direct Hire
Compensation: Competitive + Bonus
Travel: Up to 20% (as needed per project requirements)
On Call: No
Who We Are
Thermo Systems is a global, full-service control systems integration partner delivering premier class automation solutions across the Energy, Life Sciences, and Mission Critical markets. Guided by The Thermo Way, we are unified, dynamic, and committed to delivering excellence. Our culture is grounded in three core principles:
- Employee Success – investing in our people and their growth
- Customer Success – delivering reliable, high-quality solutions
- Financial Strength – operating with discipline and long-term focus
We believe strong teams, trusted partnerships, and technical excellence drive sustainable success.
The Opportunity
The Senior Controls Design Engineer (Preconstruction) is responsible for the design, development and delivery of complex control system solutions while supporting preconstruction and design assurance activities across mission-critical projects. Working across BMS, PMS, SCADA and OT systems, you will deliver key engineering scope while working with Technical Sales to review new bids, validate technical requirements, and identify scope gaps, risks and opportunities before projects transition into delivery. Across active projects, you will support design reviews and IFC page-turns, maintain high standards for engineering submittals, and work with Design Managers to support effective design governance and change management. You will remain actively involved in control system design, software development, integration and commissioning while contributing lessons learned and improvements to engineering standards and ways of working. This role is ideal for an experienced Controls Engineer looking to combine technical project delivery with increased involvement in preconstruction, design assurance and continuous improvement.
What You’ll Do
Core Responsibilities:
- Preconstruction & Design Assurance: Work with Sales and Estimating on new bids to review and validate BMS, PMS, SCADA and OT scope. Review specifications, Basis of Design, drawings, equipment counts, panel requirements and other bid documentation to identify scope gaps, risks and opportunities. Support technical scope development, assumptions and clarifications through bid and preconstruction phases. Support the transition of awarded projects from Sales into Design Engineering. Lead IFC Draft and IFC Final page-turns, ensuring actions and design comments are tracked through closure. Support identification and tracking of design changes that may impact project scope, cost or programme.
- Controls Engineering & Delivery: Develop and review control system architectures, software, control narratives, points lists, network architecture and technical documentation. Support control panel, instrumentation and equipment interface design. Perform technical reviews and provide engineering support through design, integration and construction. Troubleshoot complex controls, communications and system integration issues. Configure and develop PLC and associated controls platforms including Rockwell, Siemens and Schneider. Support FAT, SAT, commissioning and system integration activities.
- Collaboration & Communication: Coordinate with cross-functional teams to align scope, schedule, and deliverables. Communicate clearly and proactively with internal teams, customers, and partners. Act as a technical interface between Design Engineering to Sales, PMO and Integration teams. Support project leadership in identifying risks, resolving issues, and maintaining delivery alignment. Identify and escalate technical risks, constraints, or scope changes early.
- Quality, Safety & Process: Adhere to company policies, QMS requirements, and established safety standards. Support and enhance the company’s Quality Management System (QMS). Ensure engineering deliverables meet high standards of accuracy, completeness, and consistency. Promote structured engineering and documentation practices across all projects. Identify opportunities for process improvement and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
What We’re Looking For
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
- 5+ years’ experience in controls engineering, automation, control system integration, or design engineering.
- Experience working on complex industrial, life sciences, data centre, or mission-critical projects.
- Experience across multiple stages of the project lifecycle, including design, integration, commissioning and/or preconstruction.
- Experience reviewing technical specifications, design documentation and project scope.
Skills & Qualifications:
- Strong knowledge of PLC, SCADA, BMS and EPMS systems, including platforms such as Rockwell, Siemens, Schneider and Ignition.
- Experience in control system design, software development, system integration and commissioning.
- Strong understanding of control system architecture, instrumentation, control panels, equipment interfaces and OT networks.
- Experience reviewing Basis of Design, specifications, drawings, equipment schedules and other bid/design documentation.
- Ability to identify technical scope gaps, risks, assumptions, exclusions and opportunities during preconstruction.
- Strong understanding of the relationship between technical scope, project cost, programme and commercial risk.
- Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, control narratives, points lists and system architecture drawings.
- Experience leading or supporting design reviews, IFC page-turns and technical submittal reviews.
- Understanding of FAT, SAT and commissioning activities and the ability to translate lessons learned into design improvements.
- Commitment to engineering quality, safety and accountability.
- Strong technical review, problem-solving and decision-making capability.
What You’ll Get
- Competitive salary and annual performance bonuses.
- Pension plan.
- Paid time off (PTO) and company holidays.
- Relocation or living stipend (based on assignment).
- In-house and factory training + tuition reimbursement.
- Casual, team-oriented culture with regular events, free lunches, and company swag.
Learn more at www.thermosystems.com
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Thermo Systems provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other protected status.
Disclaimer
This job description outlines the general nature and level of work expected. Responsibilities may evolve based on business needs.
Senior Control Systems Engineer (Preconstruction) employer: Thermo Systems
At Thermo Systems, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work culture that prioritises employee success and growth. Our commitment to professional development is complemented by competitive compensation, performance bonuses, and a range of benefits including paid time off and training opportunities. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, our remote-friendly environment allows you to thrive while contributing to mission-critical projects across Europe.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Control Systems Engineer (Preconstruction)
✨Get Involved in Control Systems Communities
Dive into control systems forums and relevant LinkedIn groups to showcase your expertise. Engage in discussions, answer questions, and share your knowledge—this can help us get noticed by potential employers looking for someone just like you!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Workshops
Join conferences or workshops specifically tailored to control systems engineering, like the IEEE conference. These events are goldmines for networking with industry leaders and might just lead us to that perfect role at Thermo Systems.
✨Get Practical Experience Through Projects
Start or contribute to projects that highlight your control systems skills. Whether it’s a simulated environment or real-world application, having tangible results will give us a huge edge when chatting with Thermo Systems.
✨Choose Job Boards Wisely
Focus on niche job boards that specialise in engineering roles. Channels like Engineers.co or similar can help ensure that we’re not only applying to random jobs but targeting positions that align perfectly with our control systems engineering skills!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Control Systems Engineer (Preconstruction)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Technical Skills:When applying for the Senior Control Systems Engineer (Preconstruction) role, make sure to showcase your technical expertise in control systems. Be specific about the software and programming languages you’ve worked with—mention anything from MATLAB to PLC programming. This will help us see your proficiency in the tools that are essential for the job.
Quantify Your Achievements:In the engineering world, numbers speak volumes! Use your CV to quantify your achievements—whether it’s a percentage improvement in system efficiency or successful project completions under budget. This will not only make your application stand out but also showcase your problem-solving capabilities to us.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Don’t hesitate to get personal in your cover letter! Talk about why you’re passionate about control systems engineering and how your previous experiences have prepared you for this role at Thermo Systems. We want to see your genuine interest and motivation to contribute to our projects.
Professional Documentation:For a full-time role, ensure that your application documents are professional and well-structured. Include a clear CV format and cover letter that highlights key projects or systems you've worked on. Don’t forget to mention any relevant certifications or training that would make you a valuable addition to us at Thermo Systems.
How to prepare for a job interview at Thermo Systems
✨Brush Up on Control Systems Concepts
Make sure we're up to speed with control systems theory—think stability analysis, PID tuning, and state-space representation. Revising these fundamentals will help us answer technical questions more confidently and demonstrate our expertise during the interview.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Simulation Tools
Get hands-on with popular simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink or LabVIEW. A lot of interviews might include technical assessments or practical tasks to gauge our understanding of system modelling and control design using these tools, so being proficient could really set us apart.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Scenarios
We should expect scenario-based questions where we'll have to solve real-world control system challenges. Practising how to approach problems logically and articulately will help us show our analytical thinking to the interviewer at Thermo Systems.
✨Show Your Passion for Engineering
As this role is full-time, it's crucial we convey our genuine enthusiasm for control systems engineering. Sharing personal projects or experiences where we tackled interesting engineering tasks can illustrate our commitment and eagerness to contribute to the team at Thermo Systems.
