AIS Controls Engineer

CooperVision; Chandler's Ford; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

25 days holiday

Pension scheme

Healthcare cover

Life assurance

Wellbeing resources

Discounted lenses

Job summary

CooperVision UK is seeking a Senior Support Controls Engineer to provide specialist controls expertise across Hampshire manufacturing sites. You will maintain and optimise highly automated systems, support production, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

You will lead projects, mentor engineers, and collaborate with IT and maintenance teams to ensure robust, compliant operations. The ideal candidate has 5+ years in controls/automation, hands-on experience with

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a controls/automation/manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience with industrial control platforms such as RSLogix/ControlLogix/FactoryTalk View/RSView/DeviceNet/ControlNet/CoDeSys.
• Strong documentation and compliance discipline.
• Flexible to support out-of-hours operational needs.
• Knowledge of SQL, VBA, VB6, VB.NET and C#.
• Experience in medical device or regulated manufacturing environments is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Supporting and optimising machine control systems, SCADA applications and manufacturing automation systems.
• Troubleshooting controls-related breakdowns using root cause analysis techniques.
• Assisting with design, implementation and validation of complex integrated control systems for new equipment and processes.
• Developing performance monitoring applications, dashboards and OEE reporting solutions.
• Integrating control systems with MES and manufacturing execution systems.
• Leading engineering projects and managing external vendors while ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Coaching, mentoring and developing engineers and trainees within the department.

Skills

Controls engineering

Industrial automation

SCADA

Root cause analysis

Project management

Mentoring

Education

ONC or equivalent qualification in Electrical/Electronics

Tools

RSLogix

ControlLogix

FactoryTalk View

RSView

DeviceNet

ControlNet

CoDeSys

SQL

VBA

VB6

VB.NET

C#

Job description

As the Senior Support Controls Engineer within our UK Manufacturing Engineering team, you will provide specialist controls and automation expertise across our lens manufacturing sites in Hampshire. You'll play a key role in maintaining and optimising highly automated manufacturing systems, supporting production teams, leading continuous improvement initiatives, and assisting the business in implementing new control technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting and optimising machine control systems, SCADA applications and manufacturing automation systems.
• Troubleshooting and resolving controls-related breakdowns using root cause analysis techniques.
• Assisting with the design, implementation and validation of complex integrated control systems for new equipment and processes.
• Developing performance monitoring applications, dashboards and OEE reporting solutions.
• Integrating control systems with broader business and manufacturing execution systems.
• Leading engineering projects and managing external vendors while ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Coaching, mentoring and developing engineers and trainees within the department.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about controls engineering and thrives in a highly automated manufacturing environment. You will be a proactive problem-solver with excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong working relationships across engineering, maintenance, IT and production teams.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong technical expertise in industrial automation and control systems.
• Excellent planning, organisation and project management skills.
• A continuous improvement mindset with a focus on quality and innovation.
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively across multiple projects.
• Strong documentation and compliance discipline.
• A flexible approach to supporting operational needs, including out-of-hours support where required.
• A commitment to coaching and developing others., ONC or equivalent qualification in Electrical, Electronics or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience in a controls, automation or manufacturing engineering environment.
• Proven experience with industrial control platforms such as RSLogix, ControlLogix, FactoryTalk View (RSView), DeviceNet, ControlNet and/or CoDeSys.
• Experience programming and supporting industrial software systems.
• Preferred Experience within medical device, pharmaceutical or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of SQL, VBA, VB6, VB.NET and C#.
• Understanding of Quality Assurance and Quality Control systems.
• Familiarity with FDA, GAMP, ISO and international regulatory requirements.

CooperVision is one of the world's leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses with a presence in over 100 countries. Being part of CooperVision means helping improve the way people see each day. It's more than making contact lenses, it's about giving lens wearers freedom and confidence to move about their daily lives. We're all about bright futures, for our people and those who wear our contact lenses.

Benefits

• competitive compensation
• 25 days holiday
• pension scheme
• healthcare cover
• life assurance
• access to our Wellness Platform to support your mental health and wellbeing
• discounted contact lens scheme
• and much more

We are committed to our employees' personal and professional development and offer extensive training to support your career growth and help every individual reach their full potential. To help us achieve our goals, we'll give you everything you need to help you achieve yours. We also provide access to LinkedIn Learning to help you develop your career and grow with CooperVision.

What you can expect As a CooperVision employee, you'll be welcomed into a diverse and progressive global business. We appreciate how important fostering an inclusive culture is and how different perspectives add value and contribute to our success. Through our employee groups, including CooperPride, BLACC, African Descent, Women's Impact Network, and Mind Body & Wellbeing, we provide opportunities for employees to learn, connect and grow within a supportive environment.

All suitably qualified applicants will receive equal consideration and opportunities from CooperVision.