Controls & Automation Engineer

Nicholas Associates Group Limited; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Nicholas Associates are recruiting an experienced Controls & Automation Engineer for a Sheffield site undergoing major investment and capital projects. You will help keep existing automation reliable while supporting new plant introduction and commissioning.

Working as part of the engineering team, you will diagnose faults across PLC, HMI and SCADA systems, develop software, test upgrades and coordinate with maintenance, production and contractors to improve reliability and safety.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience programming and fault finding Siemens and/or Allen-Bradley PLC systems.
• Experience with HMI and SCADA platforms, ideally Wonderware/Aveva.
• Good knowledge of industrial automation, control panels and industrial communication networks.
• Experience with instrumentation, sensors, transmitters, valves, motors, actuators and variable-speed drives.
• Ability to read electrical schematics, control drawings and P&IDs.
• Strong diagnostic and problem-solving abilities.
• Understanding of machinery safety and safe engineering practices.
• Ability to work with production, maintenance, engineering teams, contractors and external suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and resolve faults across PLC, HMI, SCADA and industrial control systems.
• Modify, develop and optimise PLC and control-system software.
• Support the installation, testing and commissioning of new machinery and automation equipment.
• Assist with upgrades and improvement projects across the manufacturing site.
• Provide technical support to maintenance and production teams when complex automation issues arise.
• Work with electrical control panels, drives, instrumentation and associated automation hardware.
• Maintain accurate software backups, control-system documentation, drawings and modification records.
• Assist with system testing and ensure new developments meet required engineering and safety standards.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives aimed at increasing plant reliability, availability and performance.
• Work safely and in accordance with company procedures, legislation and recognised engineering standards.

Skills

Siemens PLC

Allen-Bradley PLC

HMI/SCADA (Wonderware Aveva)

Industrial automation knowledge

Electrical schematics & P&IDs

Instrumentation & sensors

Machinery safety awareness

Team collaboration

Problem-solving

Education

HNC/HND or equivalent in Electrical/Controls/Automation

Tools

Wonderware Aveva

PLC programming tools

Job description

Controls & Automation Engineer

Salary: £50,000 - £65,000
Location: Sheffield
Permanent | Full-time

Nicholas Associates are working with a major industrial manufacturing business in Sheffield to recruit an experienced Controls & Automation Engineer.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a site undergoing significant investment and technological development, with major capital projects transforming its manufacturing and production facilities.

The successful candidate will play a key role in keeping existing automation systems performing reliably while also supporting the introduction, modification and commissioning of new plant and equipment.

The Role

Working as part of the engineering/projects function, you will provide specialist controls and automation support across the site. The position combines hands-on fault finding and technical support with programming, system improvements and involvement in major engineering projects.

You will work closely with engineering, maintenance, production, contractors and equipment suppliers to improve plant reliability, minimise downtime and deliver automation upgrades.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Diagnose and resolve faults across PLC, HMI, SCADA and industrial control systems.
• Modify, develop and optimise PLC and control-system software.
• Support the installation, testing and commissioning of new machinery and automation equipment.
• Assist with upgrades and improvement projects across the manufacturing site.
• Provide technical support to maintenance and production teams when complex automation issues arise.
• Work with electrical control panels, drives, instrumentation and associated automation hardware.
• Maintain accurate software backups, control-system documentation, drawings and modification records.
• Assist with system testing and ensure new developments meet required engineering and safety standards.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives aimed at increasing plant reliability, availability and performance.
• Work safely and in accordance with company procedures, legislation and recognised engineering standards.

What We're Looking For

We are interested in speaking with Controls, Automation, Electrical Controls or PLC Engineers who have strong practical experience within an industrial or manufacturing environment.

You should ideally have:

• Hands-on experience programming and fault finding Siemens and/or Allen-Bradley PLC systems.
• Experience with HMI and SCADA platforms, ideally including Wonderware/Aveva.
• Good knowledge of industrial automation, control panels and industrial communication networks.
• Experience working with instrumentation, sensors, transmitters, valves, motors, actuators and variable-speed drives.
• The ability to read and understand electrical schematics, control drawings and P&IDs.
• Strong diagnostic and problem-solving abilities.
• An understanding of machinery safety and safe engineering practices.
• The confidence to work with production, maintenance, engineering teams, contractors and external suppliers.
• A proactive approach with the ability to prioritise work around operational requirements.
• HNC/HND or equivalent qualification in Electrical, Electronic, Controls or Automation Engineering, or strong equivalent industrial experience.

About Us

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. In line with our Diversity and Inclusion policy, we welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. As a Disability Confident Employer, and part of the Nicholas Associates Group, we are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities, and we're happy to discuss flexible working options.

We are committed to protecting the privacy of all our candidates and clients. If you choose to apply, your information will be processed in accordance with the Nicholas Associates Group of companies Privacy Notice.