Controls Engineer

Workforce Staffing Ltd; England; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in special-purpose machinery seeks a Controls Engineer for a permanent role in Gloucestershire. This position involves designing and developing control systems, collaborating with engineers, and occasional international travel. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in PLC programming and industrial networking, along with a full UK driving licence. The role offers a competitive salary, private healthcare, and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Private healthcare

21 days holiday + bank holidays

Contributory pension scheme

Spot bonuses for exceptional contribution

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience in industrial control systems within manufacturing or automation.
• Full UK driving licence and own transport required.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop PLC, HMI, and SCADA control systems.
• Commission systems at customer sites in the UK and abroad.
• Support in-house machine testing and debugging.

Skills

PLC programming

industrial control systems

industrial networking

Tools

EPLAN

Job description

Controls Engineer
Gloucestershire (commutable distance required)
Full-Time Permanent Hours: Mon-Thurs 08:00-17:00, Fri 08:00-14:00
GBP48,000 - GBP55,000 DOE

About the Role
We are an innovative and growing manufacturer of special-purpose machinery and robotic automation systems, seeking a Controls Engineer to join our dynamic and collaborative team. This is a permanent, site-based role involving both UK-based work and occasional international travel (mainly North America). You'll play a key role in designing, developing, and commissioning bespoke control systems for complex machinery projects.

Key Responsibilities
. Design and develop PLC, HMI, and SCADA control systems from scratch (Allen Bradley and Siemens essential)
. Integrate industrial networks including EtherNET and ProfiNET
. Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers on full system builds
. Support in-house machine testing, fault finding, and debugging
. Commission systems at customer sites (UK and abroad)
. Provide technical support, diagnostics, and on-site service visits post-installation
. Contribute to ongoing improvements in system functionality, quality, and reliability
. Mentor junior engineers and share best practices within the team

What We're Looking For
Essential Skills & Experience
. Proven experience in industrial control systems within manufacturing or automation
. PLC programming from the ground up (Allen Bradley and Siemens mandatory)
. Strong understanding of industrial networking (EtherNET, ProfiNET)
. Hands-on involvement in system commissioning and troubleshooting
. Full UK driving licence and own transport (remote location not served by public transport)
. British or EU passport (must be eligible for travel to USA/Canada without visa)
. No criminal convictions that restrict international travel
. Must live within a commutable distance - this is not a remote role
Desirable Skills
. Experience with EPLAN electrical design
. Knowledge of robotics integration
. Background in packaging, plastics, or materials handling industries
. Comfortable working independently and managing own project workload

What You'll Get
. Competitive salary: GBP48,000 - GBP55,000 (depending on experience)
. Hours of work: Mon-Thurs 08:00-17:00, Fri 08:00-14:00
. Private healthcare (covering you, your partner, and dependants)
. 21 days holiday + bank holidays (plus additional days for long service)
. Contributory pension scheme
. Spot bonuses for exceptional contribution
. Cycle to work scheme
. Supportive, no-politics, family-run environment where your efforts are recognised
Important
. This is a permanent, in-house position - contractors will not be considered
. Applicants with experience only in Oil & Gas, Automotive, or Aerospace will not be suitable unless they have relevant automation experience
. Candidates will be required to complete a practical skills test as part of the interview process

About Workforce
Workforce is a trusted provider of recruitment solutions across the Engineering, Technical, and Manufacturing sectors. With expertise in placing skilled professionals in permanent and contract roles, we connect candidates with fulfilling career opportunities across Central England. Whether you're seeking your next career step or want to refer someone, our dedicated team is here to support your journey.
Interested? Apply now to join our talented team, or refer a friend who may be a great fit!