Controls Engineer - Wilnecote

Forterra; Tamworth; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Forterra in Wilnecote is seeking a Controls Engineer to join our site team. You will ensure reliable operation, optimisation and maintenance of automated systems including PLCs, SCADA and HMIs, with a focus on safety and continuous improvement.

You will troubleshoot, program and upgrade control systems, support commissioning, and train site personnel while working with production, maintenance and quality teams to reduce downtime and boost efficiency.

Qualifications

• ONC/HNC/HND or Degree in Engineering.
• Siemens PLC TIA-PRO1 or equivalent.
• Experience in PLC diagnosis and programming.
• Electrical panel building.
• Experience in fast-moving consumer goods.

Responsibilities

• Recurring issues – Identify, analyse, prioritise and remove root causes.
• Modification documents – Manage software modifications with version control.
• Projects – Support project implementation with maintenance staff and subcontractors.
• Subcontractors – Book and accompany subcontractors; ensure safety and access.
• Plant reliability – Develop reliability of plant with defined tasks, methods and checks.
• Maintenance planning – Support schedule and ensure kits and standard work instructions are available.
• Maintenance systems – Assist in implementing a computerised maintenance system.
• Emergency response – Support operations during major breakdowns and manage HS&E risk assessments.

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA

HMI

Education

ONC/HNC/HND/Degree in Engineering

Tools

Siemens PLC TIA-PRO1

Job description

We are currently looking for an enthusiastic individual to join our Wilnecote team in the position of Controls Engineer.

The site-based Controls engineer ensures the reliable operation, optimisation, and maintenance of automated systems, including PLCs, SCADA, and HMIs, within a site-specific industrial environment. The role involves troubleshooting, programming, and upgrading control systems while collaborating with production, maintenance, and quality teams to minimise downtime and improve efficiency.

Key responsibilities include ensuring compliance with safety standards, supporting commissioning, and providing technical training to site personnel. The engineer also drives continuous improvement initiatives and integrates new technologies, contributing to the site’s production goals and business objectives by maintaining high standards of automation and operational excellence.

Your duties would include but not limited to the following:

• Recurring issues – Work to identify recurring issues, analyse, prioritise and work to remove root causes
• Modification documents – Be the responsible person on site to manage all software modifications, completing relevant forms and maintaining version control
• Projects – Support project implementation, liaising with maintenance staff and subcontractors to ensure that scheduled work is carried out in line with plan and that all safety related expectations are fulfilled
• Subcontractors – Ensure that subcontractors are booked in using the prescribed methods and accompany them where required. Liaise with subcontractors and operations to ensure that plant and facilities are made available as agreed and that any risk or impact is identified and mitigated
• Plant reliability – Ensure a structured approach is used to develop the reliability of the plant and equipment on site ensuring best practice is applied to maintenance regimes with clear and well-defined tasks, methods, tools analysis, and checks applied throughout and implemented in planned activities
• Maintenance planning – support the coordinator to ensure that any scheduled maintenance activities are well structured, and that kits of parts and standard work instructions are available in advance
• Maintenance systems – Support the implementation of a computerised maintenance system, interacting with the system as required and ensuring that the key tasks required by the site are structured and added to the system
• Emergency response – support operations and maintenance when major breakdown occurs with hands on repair activities Sustainability - Ensure that the HS&E elements of the maintenance operation are followed, and appropriate risk assessments are in place (in-house and subcontract)

About You:

Qualification:

• ONC/HNC/HND/Degree in Engineering
• Siemens PLC TIA-PRO1 or equivalent

Experience:

• PLC Diagnosis and programming
• Electrical panel building
• Fast-moving consumer goods