Lead Drives & Control Systems Engineer

Omega; Southampton; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking an experienced Lead Drives & Control Systems Engineer in England, Southampton. You will manage complex electrical systems with a focus on drives and automation, leading a team through project lifecycles. Exceptional project management skills, a minimum of 7 years' experience in control systems, and expertise in safety standards are essential. Benefits include a competitive salary, holidays, and comprehensive health plans. This role requires travel to customer sites and offers a dynamic and challenging work environment.

Benefits

25 days holidays plus Bank Holidays

Bonus scheme

BUPA Medical plan

Car allowance

Pension scheme

Life Insurance

Employee assistance programme

Flexible working

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years’ experience in industrial control systems with significant expertise in variable speed drives and motion control.
• Proven track record of leading engineering teams and delivering full project lifecycles.
• Strong Functional Safety experience (SIL / PL rated systems).

Responsibilities

• Lead the electrical / controls workstream on projects from concept through to site acceptance.
• Produce high-quality design deliverables including specifications and architectures.
• Mentor graduates, apprentices and junior engineers.

Skills

Leadership

Technical expertise in drives and control systems

Project management

Communication skills

Risk identification and mitigation

Education

BEng / BSc or Level 6 Apprenticeship in Electrical / Electronic Engineering

Tools

PLCs

HMI

SCADA

Robots

Drives

BMS platforms

Job description

Lead Drives & Control Systems Engineer

Commutable of Liverpool or Birmingham

£85,000 - £100,000

Our client are expanding their Engineering team and have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Lead Engineer with a strong background in Drives, Motion Control and Automation Systems to take full ownership of the electrical and control systems delivery on major projects.

This is a senior “lead” position where you will combine deep technical expertise (especially in variable speed drives, servo systems and safety-related control systems) with proven project leadership and people-management skills. Previous experience in a Project Engineering or Project Management role within industrial automation is highly advantageous.

Key Highlights - Lead Drives & Control Systems Engineer

• True leadership role – supervise, mentor and motivate multi-disciplinary engineering teams (internal + external resources)
• Full ownership of the Functional Safety lifecycle (FuSa) on safety-critical projects
• Work closely with Project Managers to deliver complex systems on time and on budget
• Opportunity to shape internal standards through the Engineering Management Working Group
• Hands-on design, software delivery, FAT, commissioning and SAT on customer sites

Responsibilities - Lead Drives & Control Systems Engineer

• Lead the electrical / controls workstream on projects from concept through to site acceptance
• Produce high-quality design deliverables : Functional Design Specifications, Safety Requirements Specifications, drive system architectures, network topology, cause & effect matrices, etc.
• Software design and configuration of PLC, HMI, SCADA, Robot, Drives and BMS platforms
• Own the Technical Construction File and ensure compliance with Machinery Directive, IEC 61508 / 61511, and other relevant standards
• Mentor graduates, apprentices and junior engineers
• Identify technical risks, propose mitigations and drive continuous improvement

Qualifications / Experience - Lead Drives & Control Systems Engineer

• BEng / BSc or Level 6 Apprenticeship in Electrical / Electronic Engineering
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in industrial control systems with significant expertise in variable speed drives and motion control
• Proven track record of leading engineering teams and delivering full project lifecycles
• Strong Functional Safety experience (SIL / PL rated systems)
• Excellent client-facing and communication skills
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to customer sites when required
• Previous role as a Project Engineer or Project Manager in automation
• TUV Functional Safety Engineer certification or equivalent
• Experience with Siemens, Rockwell, Schneider or Beckhoff drive platforms

Benefits - Lead Drives & Control Systems Engineer

• Holidays 25 days (plus Bank Holidays)
• Bonus scheme
• BUPA Medical plan
• Car allowance
• Pension scheme
• Life Insurance
• Employee assistance programmeFlexible working

For more information on this role, please contact Andrew Haddon on 01453 796617 or send a copy of your CV to [e-mail]

For details of other opportunities available within your chosen field please visit our website www.omegaresource.co.uk