Automation Controls Engineer

Samuel Frank; Morton; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Overtime

Job summary

Samuel Frank is recruiting an experienced Automation Controls Engineer for an established manufacturer of automated food processing and packaging machinery in Gainsborough. This hands-on, site-based role offers genuine ownership of the controls function.

Take responsibility for PLC/HMI software using Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, develop machine sequences and motion control, and work with mechanical and electrical teams from concept through commissioning at the Gainsborough facility.

Qualifications

• Proven controls engineering experience in machine builders or OEMs.
• Strong PLC programming with Rockwell/Allen-Bradley and motion control knowledge.
• Hands-on commissioning and fault-finding on automated machinery.
• Ability to operate as part of a cross-functional engineering team.
• Experience with HMI, electrical schematics and industrial networking is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own machinery controls, establish standards, and develop practices.
• Write, modify, test, and commission PLC/HMI software on automated machinery.
• Develop machine sequences, drives, and motion control; upgrade performance.
• Collaborate with mechanical and electrical teams from concept to commissioning.
• Provide technical support to field engineers and customers from Gainsborough.

Skills

Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLC programming

Motion control & drives

HMI development

Electrical schematics understanding

Troubleshooting & fault finding

Tools

Rockwell Automation PLCs

Allen-Bradley equipment

Job description

Automation Controls Engineer – Gainsborough, Lincolnshire – Rockwell PLCs / Motion Control – £55-65k + Overtime

Samuel Frank is recruiting an experienced Automation Controls Engineer for an established manufacturer of automated food processing and packaging machinery in Gainsborough. This is a hands-on, site-based opportunity for a machinery controls specialist who wants genuine ownership of the controls function and a say in how the next generation of machines is developed.

The business has a strong reputation for reliable equipment, approximately 2,000 machines installed and ambitious plans to grow turnover from around £2.5m to £5m over the next three years. They’re investing in product development and looking for someone who can improve existing machine controls, introduce structure and help move the technology forward.

The opportunity

• Take technical ownership of machinery controls and PLC software, establishing consistent standards, documentation and development practices.
• Write, modify, test and commission PLC/HMI software (Rockwell / Allen Bradley) on automated machinery, working directly with equipment on the shop floor.
• Develop and improve machine sequences, drives and motion control, alongside fault finding, troubleshooting and performance upgrades.
• Work closely with mechanical and electrical colleagues on new machinery and product improvements, from concept through build, testing and commissioning.
• Support the development of controls capability within the business and contribute ideas for future products and technologies.
• Provide technical support to field engineers and customers, primarily from the Gainsborough facility.

What we are looking for

• Proven controls engineering experience with machine builders, OEMs or manufacturers of special purpose machinery – ideally food processing or packaging equipment.
• Strong practical PLC programming experience, particularly Rockwell / Allen-Bradley, with a sound understanding of machinery motion control, drives and machine sequencing.
• Comfortable moving between PLC development, electrical controls fault finding and hands-on machine commissioning.
• Able to understand machinery operation as a complete system, rather than solely process plant controls or office-based systems integration.
• An improvement-focused approach, with the confidence to take responsibility, challenge existing methods and contribute to machinery development.
• Experience with HMI development, electrical schematics, machinery safety and relevant industrial networks would be useful.

Package and working arrangements

• £55-65k basic salary plus overtime.
• Predominantly based at the Gainsborough facility, five days per week, working closely with the machines and engineering team.
• Very limited customer travel – potentially around one day per month when on-site software support is required.
• 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays, with ongoing technical development.
• Opportunity to shape the controls function within a growing, approximately 20-person manufacturing business backed by a wider engineering and packaging group.

This position would suit a Senior Controls Engineer, Automation Engineer, PLC Software Engineer or Machinery Controls Engineer from a machine-building environment who wants more technical ownership and influence over future product development