Controls and Automation Engineer

ZipRecruiter; Hitchin; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative company is seeking a Controls & Automation Engineer to lead the design and implementation of cutting-edge PLC-based automation systems. This role offers the opportunity to work on exciting projects that directly impact the food industry. You'll be responsible for electrical control box design, programming, and testing, ensuring high performance and reliability in manufacturing processes. With a collaborative team culture and a focus on personal growth, this position is perfect for someone eager to make a real impact early in their career. Join a fast-growing brand that values creativity and ownership.

Benefits

Staff Discounts

Access to Industry Events

Personal Growth Opportunities

Collaborative Team Culture

Qualifications

• 1-2 years experience in industrial automation or controls engineering.
• Hands-on experience with PLC programming and control box design.

Responsibilities

• Design and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize processes.

Skills

PLC Programming

Electrical Control Box Design

Sensor Integration

Problem-Solving

Education

Degree in Electrical Engineering

Degree in Mechatronics

Tools

FPWIN Pro

Excel

Python

Job description

Job Description

At One Good Thing, we believe the best nutrition doesn’t need to be over-complicated. We have created the world’s first wrapper-free energy bars made with natural ingredients, no wrapper, and no nonsense. Our mission? Help people fuel better, live adventurously, and snack smarter — whilst being frontrunners of innovation to shake up the food industry for the better.

You don't win by fitting in.

Job Description:

We are seeking a Controls & Automation Engineer to lead the design, programming, and implementation of PLC-based automation systems involving actuators, temperature control units and other sensors. The ideal candidate will be capable of electrical control box design, PLC programming, and conducting experimentation and validation of manufacturing processes. This role involves not only the technical design and implementation of control systems but also structured testing and refinement of the overall process performance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, program, and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems (Control FPWIN Pro, Structured Text).
• Design electrical control panels, including component selection, wiring, and safety standards.
• Integrate and configure sensors, actuators, and associated hardware.
• Create electrical schematics and wiring diagrams.
• Design and run experiments to validate manufacturing processes.
• Analyse test data and refine hardware/software for improved functionality and reliability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., mechanical, software, production).

Qualifications:

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• Recent graduate or 1–2 years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, or related roles.
• Hands-on experience with PLC programming, control box design, and sensor integration.
• Experience running and analysing tests or experiments to validate and optimize manufacturing processes.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to iterate on system designs.

Nice-to-Have:

• Experience with food processing automation or similar production line systems.
• Knowledge of data acquisition and analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Python).
• Ability to write clear documentation and test reports.

Benefits

• A front-row seat in a fast-growing food brand doing things differently.
• Real ownership over projects — your ideas won't sit in a document; they’ll get made, tested, and celebrated.
• Freedom to bring your creativity and ideas to life.
• Personal growth opportunities as we scale - you will grow as we do.
• Collaborative, no-ego team culture.
• Staff discounts, access to industry events, and the chance to make a real impact early in your career.

Note to recruiters: Please do not contact us. We do not work with recruitment agencies.