Controls Systems Project Engineer

Discover Recruitment; Ilkeston; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Remote working

Flexible holiday arrangements

Birthday off with pay

Sick pay

Pension contribution

Job summary

Discover Recruitment is seeking a Project Engineer – Control Systems in Ilkeston to lead control-system design and delivery across multiple projects. You’ll design PLC/SCADA solutions, develop software, and prepare electrical schematics for site commissioning.

The role covers FAT, SAT, onsite commissioning and handover, with exposure to controls, electrical engineering and software integration. Excellent problem-solving and documentation skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in PLC programming, SCADA/HMI, and industrial automation.
• Strong ability to design electrical panels and fault-find on controls systems.
• Capable of producing technical documentation and delivering projects from concept to handover.

Responsibilities

• Designing and developing PLC, HMI and SCADA control systems
• Creating and modifying PLC, HMI and SCADA software
• Producing control system schematics, process diagrams and documentation
• Designing industrial networks (Fibre, Ethernet, Serial)
• Specifying sensors, instrumentation and hardware
• Collaborating with CAD for electrical panel layouts
• Performing Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)
• Supporting site installation, testing and commissioning
• Troubleshooting hardware and software issues
• Producing as-built drawings and handover documentation
• Ensuring compliance with standards, budgets and customer requirements

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA & HMI

Industrial automation

Electrical control panels

Instrumentation & sensors

Industrial communications

FAT & SAT

Site commissioning

Fault-finding

Technical documentation

Project delivery

Job description

Project Engineer – Control Systems

Location: Ilkeston, Derbyshire

Employment: Permanent

Sector: Controls, Automation & Engineering

Salary: £45,000 – £65,000 + benefits

The Opportunity

Discover are partnered with a specialist engineering business delivering complex control and automation solutions across critical UK infrastructure projects.

Following a recent acquisition and the award of several new projects, the business is looking to add a Control Systems Project Engineer to its growing engineering team.

This is a hands‑on role with exposure across the full project lifecycle, from concept and system design through PLC/SCADA development, Factory Acceptance Testing, site commissioning and final handover.

It would suit an engineer who enjoys combining controls, electrical engineering, software and project delivery, and who wants ownership of projects rather than being limited to one stage of the process.

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll take responsibility for the design, development and delivery of control systems across a range of engineering projects.

Your Responsibilities Will Include

• Designing and developing PLC, HMI and SCADA control systems
• Creating and modifying PLC, HMI and SCADA software
• Producing control system schematics, process diagrams and technical documentation
• Designing industrial communication networks using Fibre, Ethernet and Serial communications
• Specifying sensors, instrumentation, hardware and system interfaces
• Working alongside CAD Engineers on electrical panel layouts and designs
• Developing and completing Factory Acceptance Testing
• Supporting site installation, testing and commissioning
• Troubleshooting hardware and software issues
• Supporting SAT, commissioning and defect close‑out
• Producing as-built drawings, O&M manuals and handover documentation
• Ensuring projects meet relevant standards, legislation, budgets and customer requirements

What We’re Looking For

The team is open to engineers from Controls, Automation, Electrical Engineering or EC&I backgrounds.

You should have experience in several of the following areas:

• PLC programming
• SCADA and HMI systems
• Industrial automation and control systems
• Electrical control panels
• Instrumentation and sensors
• Industrial communications and networking
• FAT and SAT
• Site commissioning
• Electrical and controls fault-finding
• Technical documentation
• Engineering project delivery

You do not necessarily need experience across every area, but you should have a strong controls or automation foundation and an interest in developing broader project capability.

Why Consider It?

This role offers much broader exposure than a position focused purely on software, design or commissioning.

You’ll Have The Opportunity To Follow Projects From Initial Concept Through To Final Commissioning, Giving You Genuine Ownership Of The Solution And The Chance To Broaden Your Technical Experience Across

Controls, Electrical, Software, Testing, Commissioning, Project Delivery

With the business growing following recent project wins, there is also good scope to take on increasing responsibility as the team develops.

Benefits

• Flexible working hours
• Remote working
• Flexible holiday arrangements
• Birthday off with pay
• Sick pay
• Pension contribution