Lead Controls Engineer in Watford

UK Networks Services (UKNS) is an engineering company at the forefront of the UKs transition to a smarter, more flexible electricity system. Our work spans two core areas:

• Technical grid consulting - advising on complex grid connections, regulatory strategy, and power system planning for some of the UKs most significant infrastructure projects.
• Smart grid control systems - designing and deploying advanced automation, monitoring, and control solutions that enable customers to connect, manage and optimise energy assets across large, distributed networks.

Within the smart grid side of the business, we design and integrate systems that combine PLC-based control, SCADA, metering, protection, and real-time data platforms. These systems are deployed on projects such as grid-scale load management, site-wide export limitation, substation automation and dynamic network control.

As our project complexity increases, we are seeking a Lead Controls Engineer to act as the senior technical authority within our smart grid systems team. This is a high-responsibility engineering leadership role focused on technical governance, design quality, and full lifecycle ownership of control system engineering.

The Lead Controls Engineer will provide technical leadership across all PLC-based control system and panel designs delivered by UKNS. You will define engineering standards, oversee hardware and software design quality, and ensure robust, compliant and fully documented control solutions are delivered across the project lifecycle. You will work closely with the CTO, automation engineers, and panel build team providing oversight, mentorship and structured engineering discipline to ensure designs are right-first-time and high quality.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys:

• Setting engineering standards
• Improving technical rigour
• Leading design reviews
• Owning technical sign-off
• Working across both software and hardware domains

What Youll Be Doing

• Technical Authority & Governance - Lead the detailed design of PLC-based control systems for smart grid applications. Establish and maintain internal Control System Design Standards. Conduct structured design reviews prior to issue for manufacture (IFC). Approve schematic drawings, panel layouts, and hardware specifications. Define best practice for panel segregation, EMC, earthing, protection and wiring standards.
• Hardware & Electrical Design Oversight - Oversee production of panel layouts, terminal plans, protection coordination, I/O schedules, and wiring schematics. Ensure compliance with relevant standards including BS EN 60204, BS EN 61439, and applicable grid/utility requirements. Specify and validate PLC hardware, network components, metering interfaces and field instrumentation.
• Software & System Architecture - Provide technical oversight of PLC programming (ladder logic, structured text, function block). Define structured control philosophies and system architectures. Ensure appropriate integration with SCADA, protection relays, meters and DNO/IDNO interfaces. Validate communication design (MODBUS RTU/TCP, DLMS/COSEM, IEC 61850, etc.).
• Project Lifecycle Leadership - Lead engineering through concept design, detailed design, build support, FAT, SAT and commissioning. Ensure delivery of complete, professional documentation packs including: Schematics, Bills of materials, O&M manuals, Test plans, As-built documentation. Support client technical discussions and resolve design queries.
• Mentorship & Team Development - Mentor and develop automation engineers and drafting engineers. Improve consistency and technical maturity across the engineering team. Help shape the future direction of UKNS control system capability.

Requirements

• Essential Qualifications & Experience - Degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems, Automation or related discipline (HNC/HND considered with significant experience). 8-15+ years experience in control systems engineering or automation design. Proven experience leading control system design on industrial or infrastructure projects. Strong background in LV control panel design and electrical schematics. Proficiency with major PLC platforms (Schneider, Siemens, Allen-Bradley). Strong understanding of networked control systems and industrial protocols. Experience conducting design reviews and technical sign-off.
• Desirable - Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status (CEng / IEng) or working towards registration. Experience in power networks, grid connections, renewables, or HV/LV infrastructure. Experience with G100 export limitation systems or utility compliance. Experience developing internal engineering standards. Prior experience mentoring junior engineers.

Benefits

• £70,000-£90,000 salary depending on experience
• Opportunity to lead engineering on some of the UKs most advanced smart grid control projects
• Strategic technical influence within a growing, innovation-focused company
• Company bonus scheme
• Enhanced employers contribution pension scheme
• Death in Service benefit policy
• Salary sacrifice schemes (Bike2work, Electric Vehicles)
• 25 Days of annual leave plus local bank holidays
• Days available to volunteer for local clubs/charities
• £300 available for sponsorship of local club or charity
• Professional registration fees paid annually
• On-site parking
• Training & Development

UKNS values diversity in the workplace and is a fair and equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an equal and inclusive working environment, with the aim that our employees will be truly representative of all sections of society and that each person feels respected and able to give their best.

Note: To be eligible for this job you must have the right to work in the UK; we currently do not sponsor applications for employment visa status.