Controls Engineer

Simpson Recruitment Services; England; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing maritime technology company is seeking a Controls Engineer to design and implement control systems for wind-assisted propulsion technologies. Candidates should have a degree in Control Engineering and 3-4 years of experience. The role allows for remote work initially, transitioning to a hybrid model in Hampshire. Generous salary benefits include 25 days’ holiday, private healthcare, and career progression opportunities.

Benefits

25 days' holiday + bank holidays

Private healthcare

Pension

Life insurance

Career progression

Qualifications

• 3-4 years of experience in control systems.
• Experience in marine, industrial automation, or autonomous systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain control systems for wind propulsion technology.
• Define and evolve control-system architecture.
• Develop and commission control algorithms.
• Create HMIs for demanding marine environments.
• Carry out on-board commissioning and troubleshooting.

Skills

Control-system architecture knowledge

Networking proficiency (IP, CAN bus, etc.)

Field experience diagnosing systems

Growth mindset

Education

Degree in Control Engineering or related field

Job description

Overview

Location: Remote (initially), moving to hybrid in Hampshire (monthly UK meet-ups & global travel)

Salary: £55,000 - £75,000 + excellent benefits

About the Company: Our client is a fast-growing maritime technology company pioneering wind-assisted propulsion systems to reduce fuel consumption and emissions in global shipping. This is a rare opportunity to join at an early stage and help shape how their control systems are designed, tested, and deployed at sea.

The Role

This is a blank-page opportunity for an ambitious Controls Engineer with 3-4 years' experience (or more). Your attitude, curiosity, and willingness to learn are just as important as technical skills. You'll own the full controls lifecycle - from architecture and algorithm design to on-board commissioning - and help establish a world-class controls capability as the company grows.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain control systems for compact wind propulsion technology.
• Define and evolve control-system architecture, linking sensors, effectors, and processors.
• Develop, test, and commission control algorithms for reliability, performance, and usability.
• Create intuitive HMIs for demanding marine environments.
• Carry out on-board commissioning, troubleshooting, and system optimisation.
• Capture requirements and ensure traceability through the full lifecycle.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams to integrate mechanical, electrical, and software systems.
• Play a role in building and leading a controls engineering team as the business scales.

What We're Looking For

Essential:

• Control-system architecture knowledge (sensor/effector integration, scalable design).
• Full controls lifecycle experience: requirements, architecture, algorithms, testing, commissioning.
• Networking proficiency with at least two of: IP, CAN bus, Modbus, NMEA, Serial.
• Field experience diagnosing deployed systems.
• Background in marine, industrial automation, or autonomous systems.
• Growth mindset, self-directed, willing to travel globally (expenses covered).

Desirable:

• Advanced control algorithms & AI (Matlab/Simulink, model-based design).
• AI/ML applications in control systems.
• Marine standards knowledge.
• HMI design experience.

Qualifications

• Degree in Control Engineering, Electrical / Electronic Engineering, Mechatronics or related field.

Salary & Benefits

• £55,000 - £75,000 DOE (higher for exceptional candidates).
• Initially remote, then hybrid in Hampshire.
• Monthly company meet-ups in the UK + regular global sea trials (expenses paid).
• 25 days' holiday + bank holidays, private healthcare, pension, life insurance.
• Career progression in a growing, mission-driven company.

Why Apply?

This is a chance to make a tangible impact on decarbonising global shipping while building your career in a supportive, forward-thinking environment. If you thrive on ownership and solving real-world problems, we'd love to hear from you.