Lead Controls & Automation Engineer - Hybrid

Yolk Recruitment; Bridgwater; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Yolk Recruitment is seeking a Senior Controls & Automation Engineer to join our Bridgwater team. You will own the electrical controls and software elements of bespoke machinery, from concept through to commissioning, across the UK and beyond.

You’ll design PLC and HMI systems, integrate servo drives, motion control, robotics and vision systems, and work closely with mechanical engineers to ensure seamless operation.

Qualifications

• Strong experience programming PLC and HMI systems within industrial automation.
• Experience designing and developing control systems for automated machinery.
• Experience with servo drives, motion control and associated automation technologies.
• Knowledge of industrial robotics and vision systems, ideally including ABB or FANUC.
• A good understanding of electrical control systems, schematics and control panel design.
• Knowledge of machinery safety, risk assessments and safety-related control systems.
• Experience commissioning automated machinery, including FAT and SAT.
• The ability to take technical ownership of projects and work collaboratively with mechanical engineers and customers.
• Strong problem-solving, communication and fault-finding skills.
• Flexibility to travel within the UK and internationally as required.
• Experience with MES integration would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Designing, developing and programming PLC and HMI systems for bespoke automated machinery.
• Taking technical ownership of control systems from initial specification through to commissioning and customer acceptance.
• Developing electrical control designs, schematics and associated technical documentation.
• Integrating servo drives, motion control, industrial robotics and vision systems into automated equipment.
• Working closely with mechanical engineers to ensure all aspects of machinery design and automation operate effectively together.
• Developing control solutions for new machinery, equipment upgrades and modifications to existing installations.
• Ensuring control systems comply with relevant machinery safety standards and functional safety requirements.
• Troubleshooting software, electrical and control system issues during development, testing and commissioning.
• Supporting Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) and machinery commissioning.
• Liaising with customers, suppliers and engineering teams to deliver projects on time and to specification.
• Travelling to customer sites across the UK and internationally when required to support commissioning and technical activities.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

Control system design

Servo drives

Motion control

Industrial robotics

Vision systems

Electrical controls

Machinery safety

FAT/SAT

Technical ownership

Travel readiness

Job description

Yolk Recruitment is seeking a Senior Controls & Automation Engineer to join our Bridgwater team. You will own the electrical controls and software elements of bespoke machinery, from concept through to commissioning, across the UK and beyond.

You’ll design PLC and HMI systems, integrate servo drives, motion control, robotics and vision systems, and work closely with mechanical engineers to ensure seamless operation.