Controls & Automation Engineer

Sierra 57 Consult Ltd; Brierley Hill; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle

Laptop & phone

Medical insurance

Employer matched pension scheme

Career development opportunities

Global travel opportunities

Job summary

Sierra 57 Consult Ltd. is seeking a seasoned Controls & Automation Engineer to join our UK Service Centre. You will lead day‑to‑day operations, provide senior electrical and controls expertise, and support commissioning across customer projects in plastics manufacturing.

The role involves hands‑on problem solving, PLC/HMI design, and remote and on‑site service, with travel in the UK and internationally as needed. A clear progression path to Service Centre Manager awaits.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in industrial electrical engineering and control systems.
• Experience in plastics manufacturing environments is preferred.
• Proficiency in Ladder Logic, IEC 61131 programming, and HMI/SCADA configuration.
• Familiarity with PLC platforms (Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Proface).
• Knowledge of networking protocols (Ethernet/IP, ProfiNet).
• Excellent problem-solving and proactive hands-on field delivery.
• Strong communication and customer service orientation.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day Service Centre operations, ensuring efficient and responsive customer service.
• Provide senior-level technical support for legacy and modern control systems, including Gloucester Engineering equipment and other heritage brands.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex control and electrical issues for customer projects.
• Lead in the specification and implementation of PLCs, HMIs, and automation technologies for system upgrades, retrofits, and overhauls.
• Support the transition from analogue to digital control platforms.
• Contribute to the design and development of new automation and control solutions for extrusion and plastic processing machinery.
• Modify standard control panels and electrical systems to meet customer-specific requirements.
• Deliver expert advice and processing support to customers, both remotely and on-site.
• Produce and maintain electrical CAD drawings for current and future projects.
• Coordinate with internal sales and production teams to ensure timely, high-quality service delivery.
• Promote aftermarket offerings, including spare parts, upgrades, and service agreements.
• Conduct customer visits for commissioning, diagnostics, and technical support.

Skills

Industrial electrical engineering

Control systems

Ladder Logic

IEC 61131

HMI/SCADA configuration

Siemens PLC

Allen-Bradley PLC

Customer service orientation

Travel for customer support

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

WinCC

Wonderware

Proface

Red Lion

Job description

Job Overview

Our client, a leading manufacturer of high-performance plastic and rubber extrusion lines are looking for a skilled Controls & Automation Engineer to join their team.

Benefits

• Company vehicle
• Laptop & phone
• Medical insurance
• Employer matched pension scheme
• Significant career development opportunities
• Opportunity for global travel

Remit

• As Controls & Automation Engineer you will play a key leadership role in the UK Service Centre operations. This is a senior-level position with a clear progression path to becoming Service Centre Manager.
• This opportunity is ideal for an experienced technician or engineer with controls experience, leadership ambition and a hands‑on bias towards solving complex technical challenges. The successful candidate will contribute to both operational performance and technical innovation across the customer base and product lines, with regular involvement in real‑world commissions, diagnostics and system upgrades.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day Service Centre operations, ensuring efficient and responsive customer service.
• Provide senior-level technical support for legacy and modern control systems, including Gloucester Engineering equipment and other heritage brands.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex control and electrical issues for customer projects.
• Lead in the specification and implementation of PLCs, HMIs, and automation technologies for system upgrades, retrofits, and overhauls.
• Support the transition from analogue to digital control platforms.
• Contribute to the design and development of new automation and control solutions for extrusion and plastic processing machinery.
• Modify standard control panels and electrical systems to meet customer‑specific requirements.
• Deliver expert advice and processing support to customers, both remotely and on‑site.
• Produce and maintain electrical CAD drawings for current and future projects.
• Coordinate with internal sales and production teams to ensure timely, high-quality service delivery.
• Promote aftermarket offerings, including spare parts, upgrades, and service agreements.
• Conduct customer visits for commissioning, diagnostics, and technical support.

Experience Requirements

• Strong experience in industrial electrical engineering and control systems.
• Background in plastics manufacturing environments such as Pipe & Profile, Blown Film, Cast Film, Extrusion Coating, or Foam.
• Proficiency in Ladder Logic, IEC 61131 programming, and HMI/SCADA configuration (e.g., WinCC, Wonderware, Proface, Red Lion).
• Familiarity with PLC platforms such as Siemens, Allen Bradley, and Proface.
• Knowledge of networking protocols, including Ethernet/IP and ProfiNet.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and a proactive, hands‑on bias toward practical fieldwork and technical delivery.
• Confident communicator with strong customer service orientation.
• Willingness to travel for customer support and commissioning (UK and International).
• Competence with electrical CAD tools (e.g., AutoCAD Electrical).

Key Words

“Service Technician”, “Controls & Automation Engineer”, “Controls Engineer”, “Automation Engineer”, “Service Engineer”, “Field Service Engineer”, “Installation Engineer”, “Maintenance Engineer”, “Electrical Engineer”,” “Multi-Skilled Maintenance”, “Robots” “Plastics”, Ancillaries, “Materials Handling”, Automation, Extrusion “PLC programming”

For all UK job positions work seekers must be eligible to work and live in the UK