Control Systems Engineer

AE Partners; Washington; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Professional development sponsorship

25 days annual leave

Job summary

AE Partners seeks a Control Systems Engineer with a strong electrical background to design, commission and support LV switchgear and power management systems.

You will develop PLC, HMI and SCADA software, configure meters and relays, and produce design documentation while collaborating with design, production and site teams. Occasional client site travel is expected.

Qualifications

• Experience in designing and delivering control systems.
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• Strong PLC/HMI/SCADA software development background.
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• Ability to read electrical schematics and panel wiring diagrams.
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• Knowledge of Modbus, Profinet, Profibus, Ethernet/IP, BACnet protocols.
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• Hands-on troubleshooting and practical problem solving.
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• Ability to work with cross-functional teams including design, production and site teams.
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Responsibilities

• Design, develop and commission control systems for LV switchgear and power management.
• Develop PLC, HMI and SCADA software for switchboard and generator controls.
• Configure meters, relays, PLCs, HMIs, gateways and communications devices.
• Produce I/O schedules, control philosophies and design documentation.
• Interpret electrical schematics and switchboard layouts.
• Integrate systems using Modbus, Profinet, Profibus, Ethernet/IP and BACnet.
• Perform FAT, SAT and commissioning support.
• Troubleshoot control system issues across lifecycle stages.
• Collaborate with electrical design and production teams for proper wiring.
• Maintain software records and project documentation.
• Provide client and site support as required.
• Occasionally travel to client sites for commissioning.

Skills

Controls engineering

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA development

Electrical schematics

Industrial protocols (Modbus/Profinet/

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional collaboration

Travel to client sites

Education

HNC/HND or degree in Electrical/Electronic/Control Systems or Automation Engineering

Tools

Siemens TIA Portal

Rockwell Studio 5000

Schneider EcoStruxure

Codesys

AutoCAD Electrical

Job description

About the Role

This role would suit a Control Systems Engineer with a strong electrical background who is comfortable working with PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, metering equipment and communications networks.

You'll be involved in the full project lifecycle, from reviewing specifications and developing control philosophies through to software development, FAT, commissioning support and client handover.

The role will focus heavily on the integration of power management systems, energy monitoring systems, generator controls, ATS schemes, metering, load shedding and switchboard control systems.

Working under the directive of the Engineering Manager you'll work closely with our electrical design, production, test and site teams to deliver practical, reliable and well-documented control solutions.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design, develop and commission control systems for LV switchgear and associated power management systems.
• Develop PLC, HMI and SCADA software for switchboard control, generator control, ATS systems, load shedding and energy monitoring applications.
• Configure and integrate multifunction meters, protection relays, PLCs, HMIs, gateways and communications devices.
• Produce and review I/O schedules, control philosophies, cause and effect documents, network layouts and functional design documentation.
• Interpret electrical schematics, control wiring diagrams and switchboard layouts.
• Support the integration of systems using protocols such as Modbus RTU/TCP, Profinet, Profibus, Ethernet/IP and BACnet.
• Carry out software testing, internal FAT, client FAT and support SAT/commissioning activities.
• Troubleshoot control system issues during design, manufacture, test and commissioning.
• Work with electrical design and production teams to ensure controls equipment is correctly specified, installed and wired.
• Maintain accurate software records, backups, revision control and project documentation.
• Provide technical support to clients, site teams and internal departments where required.
• Occasionally travel to client sites for commissioning, fault finding and project support.

Key Requirements

• HNC/HND or degree in Electrical, Electronic, Control Systems or Automation Engineering, or equivalent industry experience.
• Experience in a Controls Engineer, PLC Engineer, Automation Engineer or similar role.
• Strong electrical understanding, ideally within LV switchgear, power distribution, generators, industrial control panels or building services infrastructure.
• Experience with at least one major PLC platform, such as Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell Studio 5000, Schneider, Mitsubishi or Codesys-based systems.
• Experience developing HMI or SCADA systems.
• Ability to read and understand electrical schematics, control circuits and panel wiring diagrams.
• Familiarity with industrial communications protocols such as Modbus RTU/TCP, Profinet, Profibus, Ethernet/IP or BACnet.
• Good understanding of relays, contactors, CTs, meters, MCCBs, ACBs and general switchgear components.
• Practical troubleshooting skills and a hands-on approach.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work with design, production, test and site teams.

Desirable (but not essential)

• Experience with power management systems or energy monitoring systems.
• Experience with generator control systems, ATS schemes or load shedding.
• Experience with Deep Sea, ComAp, Socomec, Schneider, ABB or similar control/protection equipment.
• Experience with motor control, VSDs, and protection relays.
• Knowledge of LV switchgear standards such as BS EN IEC 61439.
• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN or similar electrical design packages.
• 18th Edition qualification.
• Experience commissioning systems on client sites.
• Valid CSCS or ECS card.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package including private healthcare and health cash plan policy
• 25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays
• Company pension scheme
• Sponsorship towards professional development and training opportunities
• A collaborative and supportive work culture