PLC Controls Engineer - Contract

Ganymede Solutions Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 83,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

Ganymede Solutions Ltd in Dagenham is seeking an experienced PLC Controls Engineer for a contractor role on a major automotive automation project. You will work on production-line equipment and live commissioning.

The role requires hands-on PLC programming, fault-finding, and modifying code on Siemens S7 systems, with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced plant environment. UK applicants only; sponsorship not provided.

Qualifications

• Strong experience with Siemens S7 / STEP 7 v5.x.
• Extensive experience using SIMATIC Manager; not primarily TIA Portal.
• Proven live-plant automotive commissioning experience.
• 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.

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.

Skills

Siemens S7 / STEP 7

SIMATIC Manager

Live-plant commissioning

PLC troubleshooting

PLC programming

On-site engineering

Tools

Profibus

Profinet

HMI integration

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.

Applicants must be eligible tolive and work in the UK. Sponsorship is not provided.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Ganymede is committed to creating a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation