Control System Engineer

Automation Experts Ltd; England; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Automation Experts Ltd is recruiting a Controls Systems Engineer to design and implement PLC, HMI, motion control and safety software for bespoke packaging machinery. The role includes hands-on commissioning, fault-finding and adopting new technologies across the development life cycle.

You will work with customers and engineering teams, contributing to R&D and integrating new equipment. This is a UK-based role with opportunities to travel to client sites as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience in PLC, HMI, motion control and safety software development for bespoke machinery.
• Ability to own projects from concept to commissioning and training.
• Strong knowledge of industrial safety standards and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Develop PLC, HMI, motion control and safety software.
• Create control system software for bespoke packaging machinery projects.
• Take ownership from initial design through coding, testing, commissioning and customer training.
• Collaborate with customers, suppliers and engineering teams.
• Work closely with mechanical design, service and external partners to meet objectives.
• Investigate and develop new technologies and evaluate equipment.
• Contribute to R&D activities and assess new control technologies.
• Fault-finding and upgrading existing machinery.
• Support machine installations and commissioning activities in the UK.

Skills

PLC programming

Motion control

HMI development

Functional safety

Safety standards

Industrial protocols

IoT technologies

HTML & databases

Cyber security awareness

TCP/IP OPC UA

Packaging industry experience

Job description

Packaging Machinery

This is an exciting opportunity for a Control Systems Engineer to join an innovative engineering business focused on bespoke packaging automation. The role combines PLC, HMI, motion control and safety software development with hands‑on commissioning, fault‑finding and new technology development.

Offering excellent technical variety, customer interaction and involvement across the full machinery development life cycle.

Control Systems Engineer - The Role:

• Developing PLC, HMI, motion control and safety software
• Create control system software for bespoke packaging machinery projects.
• Take ownership from initial design specification through coding, testing, commissioning and customer training.
• Collaborating with customers, suppliers and engineering teams
• Work closely with mechanical design, service and external partners to achieve project objectives.
• Investigating and developing new technologies
• Contribute to R&D activities and evaluate new equipment and control technologies.
• Fault‑finding and upgrading existing machinery
• Support machine installations and commissioning activities in the UK and overseas.

We're keen to hear from Controls Engineers and Automation Engineers with strong software and machine control experience.

• Strong PLC software development skills for machine control applications.
• Multi‑axis servo motion control
• Experience configuring and developing servo and motion control systems.
• Design and implementation of operator interfaces for automated machinery.
• Functional safety and machine regulations
• Knowledge of safety systems, regulations and standards associated with industrial machinery.
• Project delivery and customer interaction
• Ability to work collaboratively and support projects from concept to commissioning.
• IoT technologies, HTML, databases and high‑level programming
• Cyber security awareness
• TCP/IP, Modbus and OPC UA communication protocols
• Knowledge of CE, UL, Machinery Directive and ISO/EN 13849-1
• Food or packaging industry experience

Why Join?

• One of the leading manufacturers of packaging machines in the UK.
• join a dedicated R&D team where you will have genuine influence over new product development.
• Work with cutting edge technologies including PLC, motion control, robotics, machine vision and advanced automation systems.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including mechanical, software, electrical and product development.
• Modern engineering environment with significant investment in research, development and continuous innovation.

This role is located in Cheshire with good rail connections. Travelling by car, areas can include Stockport, Cheadle, Holmes Chapel and Altrincham. For further information call Sharon Hill on: 01902212000 or 07764208419 or email: [e-mail]