Electrical Controls Engineer

Proactive Global; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Proactive Global is seeking an Electrical Controls Engineer in Stoke-on-Trent to design, develop, program and implement electrical control systems for specialist industrial equipment. You will collaborate with Engineering, R&D, PM, Production and Service teams from design through to testing and commissioning.

The role combines strong electrical engineering knowledge with PLC programming, HMI development and CAD-based design to deliver reliable, high-performance systems and continuous

Qualifications

• BEng or BSc in Electrical/Controls engineering or equivalent.
• 2–3 years' experience in electrical/automation controls or similar.
• Experience programming PLCs with Rockwell Studio 5000 and/or CODESYS.
• Strong understanding of electrical control systems and industrial automation.
• Experience configuring VFDs/servo drives, preferably in Rockwell environments.
• Experience CAD software such as AutoCAD, EPLAN or SolidWorks Electrical.
• Ability to translate technical specifications into practical designs.
• Good problem-solving and time management skills.
• Willingness to travel for installations and service.

Responsibilities

• Interpret specifications with Sales, PM and Engineering teams.
• Produce and maintain electrical designs and documentation for control systems.
• Generate BoMs for electrical hardware and components.
• Develop CAD designs and ensure compliance with standards.
• Release designs via PLM and ECO processes.
• Develop PLC software and HMI screens per system architectures.
• Configure VFDs and servo drives within Rockwell environments.
• Support testing, commissioning and on-site service activities.
• Assist with production transition and post-launch support.
• Ensure safety, quality procedures and technical specs are followed.

Skills

PLC programming

Electrical design

HMI development

VFDs/Servo drives

CAD software

Education

BEng or BSc in Electrical/Controls Engineering

Tools

Rockwell Studio 5000

CODESYS

AutoCAD

EPLAN

SolidWorks Electrical

Job description

Electrical Controls Engineer Required Stoke-on-Trent

We are seeking an Electrical Controls Engineer to support the design, development, programming and implementation of electrical control systems for specialist industrial equipment.

Working closely with Engineering, Research and Development, Project Management, Production and Service teams, you will contribute to the delivery of new and existing products, from initial design and software development through to factory testing, commissioning and ongoing technical support.

The successful candidate will combine strong electrical engineering knowledge with practical PLC programming and control system design experience. This is an opportunity to contribute to technically challenging projects, support new product development and drive improvements in system performance, reliability and manufacturing efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

Electrical Design and Documentation

• Interpret technical specifications and customer requirements in collaboration with Sales, Project Management and Engineering teams.
• Produce and maintain technical documentation to support electrical designs, control systems and product development.
• Generate and export Bills of Materials (BoMs) for electrical hardware and associated components.
• Develop and maintain electrical designs using appropriate CAD platforms, ensuring compliance with relevant engineering standards.
• Release and manage engineering designs and documentation through Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems, following formal Engineering Change Order (ECO) procedures.

PLC Programming and Control Systems

• Develop, modify and maintain PLC software using platforms such as Rockwell Studio 5000 and CODESYS, in accordance with established system architectures.
• Design, configure and program Human-Machine Interface (HMI) screens to meet operational and system requirements.
• Program and configure variable frequency drives (VFDs) and servo drives within Rockwell automation environments.
• Support the integration of electrical hardware, control systems and software to ensure reliable system operation.
• Contribute to the verification and validation of control system designs through simulation, testing and technical analysis.

Production, Testing and Commissioning

• Provide technical engineering support throughout manufacturing, assembly, testing and commissioning activities.
• Assist with the transition of new products from the design and development phase into production.
• Support factory acceptance testing, commissioning and troubleshooting of specialist equipment.
• Provide on-site technical support for installation, commissioning and service teams, including travel to customer locations where required.
• Investigate technical issues arising during production or commissioning and support the implementation of effective solutions.
• Ensure engineering activities comply with applicable safety requirements, quality procedures and technical specifications.

Research, Development and Continuous Improvement

• Work alongside Research and Development teams to evaluate and implement new technologies and engineering solutions.
• Contribute to product development activities, supporting the introduction of new designs and technologies into production.
• Identify opportunities for design optimisation, cost reduction, improved performance and enhanced product reliability.
• Support engineering change requests (ECRs), assessing and implementing approved design modifications.
• Maintain awareness of relevant technological developments, industry standards and engineering best practices.
• Participate in engineering reviews and technical discussions to support product improvement and future development initiatives.
• Contribute to project delivery plans and wider business objectives through effective engineering support.

Quality, Safety and Compliance

• Follow established quality management systems, engineering procedures and workplace health and safety requirements.
• Maintain accurate engineering records and ensure design changes are documented and controlled appropriately.
• Identify and report product defects, quality concerns and non-conformances promptly.
• Support corrective actions to address technical or quality issues and help prevent recurrence.
• Demonstrate professional conduct, accountability, integrity and effective teamwork in all engineering activities.

Essential Requirements

• BEng, BSc or equivalent qualification and experience in Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Controls Engineering or a related discipline.
• Approximately 2-3 years' relevant experience in electrical engineering, automation, controls or a similar technical role.
• Practical experience programming PLC systems using platforms such as Rockwell Studio 5000 and/or CODESYS.
• Strong understanding of electrical control systems, including PLC controllers and industrial automation principles.
• Experience programming or configuring variable frequency drives (VFDs) and servo drives, preferably within Rockwell environments.
• Experience using electrical design or CAD software, such as AutoCAD, EPLAN or SolidWorks Electrical.
• Ability to interpret technical specifications and translate engineering requirements into practical design solutions.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to investigate technical issues systematically.
• Good organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and respond to changing business requirements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, OneNote and Teams.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team.
• Willingness to travel to support customer installations, commissioning and service activities.
• Strong communication and presentation skills when working with internal stakeholders and external customers.

This role offers a varied engineering workload spanning electrical design, PLC programming, product development, manufacturing support and on-site commissioning. The successful candidate will work closely with technical specialists across the business, contributing to the development and delivery of reliable, high-performance industrial equipment. Flexibility, a proactive approach to problem-solving and a commitment to engineering quality will be essential to success in the role.

Proactive Global is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.

Proactive Global is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.