Junior Controls & Automation Engineer

Cameron Clarke Associates t/a talent-finder; Slough; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Cameron Clarke Associates t/a talent-finder is seeking a Junior Controls & Automation Engineer for Reading/Slough/Berkshire. Salary £30,000-£35,000 per annum depending on experience, full-time, on-site role.

You will work with senior engineers, develop PLC programming skills, and contribute to controls and automation projects across the UK. Training and progression are provided in a supportive team environment.

Qualifications

• No degree required; strong technical ability considered from apprenticeships, technician roles, hands-on experience.
• Candidates from controls, automation, electrical, mechatronics, industrial automation, robotics or related backgrounds are welcomed.
• Exposure to PLC programming and industrial automation is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Support senior engineers on controls and automation projects.
• Develop PLC programming skills and assist with designs.
• Assist with controls electrical engineering activities.
• Support testing and commissioning activities.
• Fault finding and problem solving on automated systems.
• Work with HMI/SCADA and other automation technologies.
• Progressively take responsibility for programming, design and commissioning as you gain experience.
• Attend UK customer sites as required; potential international travel.
• Develop customer-facing and project-management skills as experience grows.

Skills

Driving licence

Willingness to travel

Problem solving

Genuine interest in automation

Education

Electrical/Mechatronics qualification

Tools

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA

Job description

Junior Controls & Automation Engineer | Reading / Slough / Berkshire | Full Time | £30,000-£35,000 per annum depending on experience

Our client is a specialist engineering business with a close-knit team of around 13 people, delivering controls, automation and electrical engineering projects for customers across the UK and internationally.

They have successfully developed junior engineers previously and are comfortable investing time in the right individual. This is an opportunity to join a supportive team where attitude, aptitude and potential are valued alongside technical ability.

The Role

Are you a graduate or junior engineer looking to build a genuine career in controls and automation?

This role is suited to someone who has a technical, electrical, mechatronics or similar engineering background and a genuine interest in developing within controls and automation.

Some exposure to PLC programming and industrial automation or controls would be beneficial, but you do not need to have every technical skill from day one. PLC programming and other specialist systems can be developed through hands on training and working closely with experienced engineers.

Initially, you will work alongside senior engineers, learning the company's systems, software and ways of working. Projects are collaborative, with engineers working together rather than expecting junior team members to work independently from the outset.

As your skills and confidence develop, you will gradually take on more responsibility across programming, design, testing, commissioning, fault finding and customer interaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting senior engineers on controls and automation projects
• Developing PLC programming skills
• Assisting with controls and electrical engineering activities
• Supporting testing and commissioning
• Fault finding and problem solving
• Working with HMI / SCADA and wider automation technologies
• Progressively taking responsibility for programming, design and commissioning
• Attending UK customer sites as required
• Travelling internationally for customer projects
• Developing customer-facing and project management skills as experience grows

Requirements

Our client is interested in candidates with potential rather than simply looking for someone who already ticks every technical box.

Candidates may come from backgrounds including:

• Controls Engineering
• Automation Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechatronics
• Industrial Automation
• Robotics
• Manufacturing
• Machine Controls
• Systems Integration
• Electrical / Controls Technician roles

A degree is not essential. Electrical, electronic or mechatronics qualifications would be useful, but candidates who have developed strong technical skills through apprenticeships, technician roles, hands on experience or other routes will also be considered.

Essential

• Full UK driving licence
• Access to a vehicle
• Willingness to travel to customer sites across the UK
• Willingness to undertake international travel when requiredStrong problem-solving and analytical ability
• Genuine interest in controls and automation
• Positive attitude and willingness to learn
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a small team
• Friendly and personable approach

Desirable

• Some knowledge or experience of PLC programming
• Exposure to industrial automation or controls
• Electrical or controls engineering experience
• Programming or engineeri