Graduate Control Systems & Automation Engineer

Step; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Step in Nottingham is seeking a Graduate Control Systems and Automation Engineer to join on a full‑time, onsite basis with an immediate start. You will assist in developing and programming automated machinery, gaining hands‑on experience across the business, and progressing toward a specialist technical role.

The program includes mentoring from experienced engineers, structured exposure to multiple departments, and practical, hands‑on experience with software and controls development to advance

Qualifications

• Graduate with a bias in software or electrical/electronic engineering
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills
• Full UK driving licence and own transport

Responsibilities

• Support the development and programming of automated machinery and production line equipment.
• Assist with controls and automation software activities.
• Configure and test automation systems with engineers.
• Troubleshoot software and control issues within production environments.
• Support commissioning and integration activities for automation projects.
• Gain exposure to a range of engineering systems across the business.
• Collaborate with design, engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Contribute to continuous improvement projects and innovative engineering solutions.
• Develop and maintain automation software and control code with experienced engineers.

Skills

Automation software

Electrical engineering

Software engineering

Education

Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Computer Science

Software Engineering

Mathematics

Job description

Graduate Control Systems and Automation Engineer

Nottingham £28,000 Onsite Immediate Start Full Time

Are you a recent graduate with a passion for software, automation, and cutting-edge engineering technology?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a leading automation engineering business that designs, manufactures, and delivers advanced systems and intelligent automation solutions for industrial and other environments. The company develops these systems to improve operational efficiency and throughput.

This role offers hands‑on experience across the business before moving into a specialist technical position focused on programming and configuring machinery.

What You'll Be Doing

• Support the development and programming of automated machinery and production line equipment.
• Assist with controls, and automation software activities.
• Work with engineers to configure and test automation systems.
• Troubleshoot software and control-related issues within operational systems.
• Support commissioning and integration activities for automation projects.
• Gain exposure a range of engineering systems
• Collaborate with design, engineering, and manufacturing teams.
• Contribute to continuous improvement projects and innovative engineering solutions.
• Develop and maintain automation software and control code for production line machinery, working with experienced engineers to test, debug and enhance system performance.

Training & Development

This role has been designed specifically to help graduates build a broad understanding of automation engineering.
Your development journey will include:

• An initial month working alongside an experienced engineer who regularly mentors and trains junior team members.
• Structured exposure to different departments across the business.
• Opportunities to spend time with the design team and wider engineering functions.
• Practical, hands‑on experience alongside software and controls development.
• Ongoing support from experienced engineers throughout your training and progression.

Who We're Looking For

We're interested in graduates who have a strong software or electrical/electronic engineering bias and are enthusiastic about developing a career in automation engineering. Suitable Degree Subjects include: Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mathematics

Essential Requirements

• Passion for technology, engineering, and automation.
• Strong willingness to learn and develop new skills.
• Positive attitude and enthusiasm.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a technical team.
• Full UK driving licence and access to transport.
• Available to start as soon as possible.

What you'll gain

This role offers overtime opportunities alongside providing exposure a thriving manufacturing business environment You'll gain hands‑on practical experience through rotations across the business, working on advanced systems while developing the skills and knowledge needed to progress into a specialist technical role.
If you're a motivated graduate with a passion for software, automation, and engineering technology, this is an excellent opportunity to launch your career within a highly technical and innovative environment.