Controls & Workshop Manager

Connect 4; Bedford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Pension

Car allowance

Flexible working

Professional development

Job summary

Connect 4 seeks a seasoned Controls & Workshop Manager in Bedford to lead the Controls Engineering, Electrical Build and Workshop teams. You will ensure robotic and automated systems are designed, built, tested, and commissioned safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.

The role demands 8–10+ years in automation, with 3–5+ years in leadership, plus proven delivery of robotic machinery projects and strong PLC/HMI/robotics knowledge across Siemens, Rockwell, Beckhoff, and EPLAN platforms.

Qualifications

• HNC/HND or Degree in Electrical, Controls, Automation, Mechatronics, or a related discipline.
• 8-10+ years in industrial automation, systems integration, or machine building.
• 3-5+ years in a leadership or management role.
• Proven experience delivering robotic and automated machinery projects.
• Strong PLC programming, troubleshooting, and commissioning experience.
• Knowledge of HMI/SCADA, industrial networks, servo/motion control, robotics, and machine safety.
• Experience with Siemens, Rockwell, Beckhoff, EPLAN, or AutoCAD Electrical.
• Strong leadership, communication, planning, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop Controls, Electrical, PLC, and Workshop teams.
• Provide technical leadership across PLC, HMI/SCADA, robotics, motion control, networking, and machine safety systems.
• Review controls architectures, electrical designs, software, and technical documentation.
• Manage workshop operations, including machine assembly, electrical wiring, integration, testing, and resource allocation.
• Coordinate engineering and workshop activities to meet project deadlines and budgets.
• Support project planning, FAT/SAT, commissioning, installation, and customer acceptance.
• Oversee electrical panel construction, machine wiring, testing, fault finding, and validation.
• Ensure compliance with UKCA/CE, machinery, electrical, and safety standards.
• Drive engineering standardisation, software reuse, workshop efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Manage technical risks, training, performance, and resource requirements.
• Work closely with Mechanical Engineering, Project Management, Procurement, and customers to ensure successful project delivery.

Skills

Leadership

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA

Industrial networks

Robot/automation projects

Planning

Problem-solving

Education

HNC/HND or Degree in Electrical/Controls/Automation/Mechatronics

Tools

Siemens

Rockwell

Beckhoff

EPLAN

AutoCAD Electrical

Job description

Controls & Workshop Manager

Location: Bedford

Employment: Full-Time

Role Overview

Responsible for leading the Controls Engineering, Electrical Build, and Workshop teams, ensuring robotic and automated systems are designed, built, tested, and commissioned safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop Controls, Electrical, PLC, and Workshop teams.
• Provide technical leadership across PLC, HMI/SCADA, robotics, motion control, networking, and machine safety systems.
• Review controls architectures, electrical designs, software, and technical documentation.
• Manage workshop operations, including machine assembly, electrical wiring, integration, testing, and resource allocation.
• Coordinate engineering and workshop activities to meet project deadlines and budgets.
• Support project planning, FAT/SAT, commissioning, installation, and customer acceptance.
• Oversee electrical panel construction, machine wiring, testing, fault finding, and validation.
• Ensure compliance with relevant UKCA/CE, machinery, electrical, and safety standards.
• Drive engineering standardisation, software reuse, workshop efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Manage technical risks, training, performance, and resource requirements.
• Work closely with Mechanical Engineering, Project Management, Procurement, and customers to ensure successful project delivery.

Requirements

• HNC/HND or Degree in Electrical, Controls, Automation, Mechatronics, or a related discipline.
• 8-10+ years' experience in industrial automation, systems integration, or machine building.
• 3-5+ years' experience in a leadership or management role.
• Proven experience delivering robotic and automated machinery projects.
• Strong PLC programming, troubleshooting, and commissioning experience.
• Knowledge of HMI/SCADA, industrial networks, servo/motion control, robotics, and machine safety.
• Experience with platforms such as Siemens, Rockwell, Beckhoff, EPLAN, or AutoCAD Electrical.
• Strong leadership, communication, planning, and problem-solving skills.

Salary: £60,000-£70,000 + potential bonus, pension, car allowance, flexible working, and professional development.

Industry Background: Robotics & Automation, Systems Integration, Special Purpose Machinery, Automotive, Logistics, Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Packaging, and Advanced Manufacturing