PLC Controls Engineer - Contract

Ganymede Solutions Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 69,000; Part time

Job summary

Ganymede Solutions Limited in London is seeking two experienced PLC Controls Engineers for a live automotive automation project in Dagenham on a contractor basis. You will commission production-line equipment, modify PLC software, diagnose faults and bring systems online, working independently in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

The role requires hands-on Siemens S7/STEP 7 work, fault-finding on live lines, coordinating with electricians and mechanical teams, and delivering reliable, safe

Qualifications

• Strong experience with Siemens Classic S7 / STEP 7 v5.x.
• Extensive experience using live-plant automotive commissioning.
• Proven ability to diagnose faults and modify PLC code on live production lines.

Responsibilities

• Download and commission code to Siemens S7 PLCs on live production equipment.
• Test sequences, safety circuits, inputs and outputs.
• Modify existing PLC programs and develop/write code where required.
• Diagnose and resolve PLC, controls and runtime faults.
• Troubleshoot software and hardware issues during commissioning.
• Ensure software and controls comply with FAST standards.

Skills

Siemens S7

STEP 7

PLC Programming

Fault-finding

Live commissioning

Automation systems

Job description

PLC Controls Engineer - Contract | Dagenham

We are currently recruiting 2 experienced PLC Controls Engineers for a major industrial automation and automotive manufacturing project in Dagenham.

This is a hands-on commissioning role suited to engineers who are confident working independently in a live manufacturing environment, diagnosing faults, modifying PLC software and bringing automated production equipment online.

Role Details

• Position: PLC Controls Engineer - Contractor
• Location: Dagenham
• Rate: £40-£50ph (Outside IR35)
• Working Hours: Monday-Friday, 07:30-16:00
• Contract: Contractor position
• Vacancies: 2

The Role

You will be supporting a major automotive automation project, working directly on production-line equipment and automated stations.

The role will involve a combination of PLC programming, software modification, fault-finding and live factory commissioning. Candidates should be comfortable working under pressure and able to quickly diagnose issues between PLC logic and physical plant equipment.

Key Responsibilities

• Download and commission code to Siemens S7 PLCs on live production equipment.
• Test sequences, safety circuits, inputs and outputs.
• Modify existing PLC programs and develop/write code where required.
• Diagnose and resolve PLC, controls and runtime faults.
• Troubleshoot software and hardware issues during commissioning.
• Ensure software and controls comply with required FAST standards.
• Work closely with electricians, mechanical technicians, hardware installation teams and site management.
• Identify and clear snags and fault logs.
• Optimise automated station operation and cycle times.
• Support the safe commissioning and handover of fully operational production cells.

Essential Experience

• Strong experience with Siemens Classic S7 / STEP 7 v5.x.
• Extensive experience using SIMATIC Manager — this role is not primarily TIA Portal.
• Proven experience in live-plant automotive commissioning.
• Strong PLC troubleshooting and fault-finding ability.
• Ability to modify existing PLC code and develop/write code.
• Confident working independently on-site in a fast-paced production environment.
• Practical knowledge of industrial automation systems and commissioning.

Highly Desirable

• Direct experience working to Ford FAST standards.
• Experience with Profibus and Profinet.
• Basic HMI integration experience.
• Previous automotive OEM commissioning experience.

Candidates without direct FAST experience will still be considered if they have extensive, high-level commissioning experience on other major automotive OEM projects, such as Jaguar Land Rover, BMW or VAG, and have worked to comparable controls and software standards.

Who We're Looking For

We are looking for experienced commissioning-focused Controls Engineers who can hit the ground running.

If you have strong Siemens S7/STEP 7 experience, a background in automotive automation and the ability to troubleshoot and modify PLC code directly on a live production line, this could be an excellent contract opportunity.