At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex control system projects and mentor engineering teams in automation.
- Company: Join a top UK engineering contractor with a focus on critical infrastructure.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, private healthcare, and 25 days annual leave.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and long-term career growth.
- Why this job: Make an impact on major projects while advancing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in PLC, HMI, SCADA systems and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Warrington (Hybrid Working)
Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 + Overtime + Excellent Benefits
We’re supporting one of the UK's leading multidisciplinary engineering contractors in the search for a Lead Controls Systems Integration Engineer to join their expanding automation team. Working across major infrastructure projects within the nuclear, water, energy, pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors, you'll take ownership of complex control system projects, leading engineering teams from concept through to commissioning. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Controls Engineer looking to step into a technical leadership position within a business delivering some of the UK's most critical infrastructure projects.
The Role
As Lead Controls Systems Integration Engineer, you'll provide technical leadership across multiple automation projects, ensuring high-quality engineering solutions are delivered safely, on programme and within budget. Working closely with Project Managers, you'll coordinate engineering activities, mentor Controls Engineers and oversee the successful delivery of PLC, SCADA and HMI systems from design through to final commissioning. You’ll split your time between hybrid office working, software development, testing and client sites during commissioning phases.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the technical delivery of industrial control system projects.
- Manage and coordinate engineering workloads across project teams.
- Develop PLC, SCADA and HMI software solutions.
- Review user requirements and convert them into robust control system designs.
- Oversee software testing, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT).
- Lead commissioning activities and provide technical support during installation.
- Mentor and develop junior Controls Engineers.
- Work closely with Project Managers to ensure projects are delivered to programme and budget.
- Liaise directly with clients, subcontractors and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Ensure compliance with quality standards, functional safety requirements and industry best practice.
About You
You’ll be an experienced Controls Systems Engineer with a proven track record of delivering complex automation projects and leading engineering teams. You’ll ideally have:
- Extensive experience delivering PLC, HMI and SCADA systems.
- Strong programming experience across at least two of the following platforms: Siemens, Rockwell / Allen Bradley, Schneider Electric, Mitsubishi.
- Experience with industrial communication protocols including EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, PROFIBUS DP/PA and Modbus TCP/IP.
- Knowledge of Variable Speed Drives (VSDs).
- Experience leading software development, testing and commissioning activities.
- Strong understanding of electrical safety and safe systems of work.
- Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
- The ability to mentor engineers and drive technical excellence across project teams.
- Experience within highly regulated sectors such as nuclear, water, energy, pharmaceuticals or manufacturing would be highly advantageous.
What’s on Offer?
- £55,000-£65,000 salary
- Hybrid working
- Private healthcare
- Company pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Paid overtime
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Holiday purchase scheme
- Employee assistance programme
- High street and online retail discounts
- Structured career progression and professional development
- Long-term opportunities across major UK infrastructure programmes
If you're looking to lead technically challenging automation projects while developing your career with one of the UK's leading engineering businesses, we'd be delighted to speak with you.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Controls SI Engineer - Midlands in Birmingham
✨Get Involved in Local Automation Meetups
We can’t stress this enough – getting your face out there in the automation and control systems community can really set you apart. Look for local meetups or workshops where you can chat with industry professionals, learn about what’s trending, and even discover hidden job gems. Who knows, you might meet someone from a company like westlakesrecruit!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Make sure you have a portfolio of your work ready to roll. Whether it’s academic projects, internships or personal experiments, showcase how you’ve tackled automation challenges. When you apply for the Lead Controls SI Engineer - Midlands position at westlakesrecruit, linking your portfolio gives your application that extra oomph and demonstrates your practical knowledge.
✨Leverage Your Uni Career Services
If you’re fresh out of uni, don’t forget about your career services! Many universities have established connections with companies in the automation field. They may know when westlakesrecruit is looking for fresh talent or even have internships that lead to full-time positions. So, hit them up!
✨Keep an Eye on Industry Certifications
While hunting for roles, consider getting certified in relevant automation technologies. It shows dedication and gives you a leg up in the job market. Plus, many organisations offer job boards or networking events to certified professionals. This might just lead you to that coveted Lead Controls SI Engineer - Midlands role at westlakesrecruit!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Controls SI Engineer - Midlands in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for an automation-control-systems role, it’s crucial to highlight your technical skills. Whether it's your proficiency in programming languages like Python or understanding control systems, make sure your CV showcases these prominently. Don't forget to mention any specific software or tools you're experienced with – that’s music to the ears of hiring managers!
Tailor Your Projects to Automation:If you've worked on any relevant projects, especially those involving automation or control systems, make them stand out in your CV. Use a dedicated section to highlight these projects, explaining your role and the impact of your contributions. This could be the difference between getting noticed and getting overlooked!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tell us why you’re passionate about automation-control-systems! Discuss specific experiences that sparked your interest in this field. Maybe it's a university project or a previous job that truly got you hooked. We love seeing that spark! Make sure to reference how you can contribute to westlakesrecruit and its goals.
Quantify Your Achievements:In the world of automation, results matter. When listing your experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you improve system efficiency by a percentage? Did you reduce downtime? Putting numbers to your successes not only demonstrates your impact but also lets us see the tangible outcomes of your efforts. It makes your application pop!
How to prepare for a job interview at westlakesrecruit
✨Master Your Technical Knowledge
In the automation control systems field, you need to brush up on your technical know-how. Be prepared to talk about specific control systems you’ve worked with, such as PLCs or SCADA systems, and expect technical questions or even hands-on problem-solving scenarios during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Whether it's freelance projects or your academic work, come ready to showcase your portfolio of automation projects. Bring along any diagrams, code samples, or automation solutions you’ve implemented—these can really set you apart and demonstrate your applied skills to westlakesrecruit.
✨Understand Industry Trends
Stay updated on the latest trends in automation technologies and methodologies, like Industry 4.0 or IIoT. We'll want to discuss how these concepts may affect the role and future projects at westlakesrecruit, so showing that you're knowledgeable about current and emerging technologies can give you an edge.
✨Commit to Continuous Learning
As this is a full-time role, it's essential to express your eagerness for continuous improvement and learning. Share how you plan to enhance your skills and keep pace with the evolution of automation in the workforce – companies love candidates who are committed to growth and adaptability.
