Senior Controls Software Engineer

Project Freelance; Coventry; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Challenging automation projects

Career progression

Professional development

Supportive engineering culture

Office + customer-site work

Industry variety

Job summary

Project Freelance in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to lead the controls scope on large automation and material handling projects across multiple industries. You will own the controls deliverables from design through commissioning and handover, driving quality and on-time delivery.

Responsibilities include Siemens PLC programming in TIA Portal, SCL and Ladder Logic, HMI development, FAT/SAT participation, and remote diagnostics support.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in industrial automation or controls projects.
• Strong Siemens PLC and TIA Portal experience.
• Structured Text (SCL) and Ladder Logic programming.
• HMI development experience.
• Hands-on commissioning experience.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the controls scope from project handover through testing and commissioning.
• Plan and manage controls engineering activities to meet milestones.
• Collaborate with project teams to ensure system integration.
• Provide technical leadership during commissioning and FAT/SAT.
• Support post-installation activities and remote diagnostics.

Skills

Siemens PLC

Siemens TIA Portal

Structured Text

Ladder Logic

HMI development

Industrial Ethernet networks

Project lifecycle

Communication

Site commissioning

Education

Electrical/Electronic/Controls/Automation/Mechatronic Engineering degree

Full UK Driving Licence

Tools

Siemens TIA Portal

Allen-Bradley / Rockwell

Robot integration platforms (ABB/FANUC/KUKA)

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Controls Engineer to join a growing automation engineering team delivering complex industrial automation and material handling projects across a variety of industries. This role offers the opportunity to take ownership of the controls scope from project handover through software development, testing, commissioning, customer acceptance and final handover.The successful candidate will combine strong Siemens PLC programming experience with hands‑on commissioning expertise and a passion for delivering high‑quality automation solutions in fast‑paced industrial environments.

Key ResponsibilitiesProject Delivery & Ownership

• Take ownership of the controls scope following receipt of approved electrical drawings, system architecture and Functional Design Specifications (FDS).
• Review technical documentation and identify any gaps, risks or conflicting requirements.
• Plan and manage controls engineering activities to achieve project milestones.
• Work closely with project managers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, robotics specialists and wider project teams to ensure successful system integration.
• Maintain clear communication with stakeholders regarding project progress, issues and solutions.

PLC & HMI Software Development

• Develop, modify and maintain PLC software using Siemens TIA Portal.
• Program control systems using Structured Text (SCL) and Ladder Logic.
• Develop intuitive HMI applications with clear diagnostics, alarm handling and fault recovery functionality.
• Implement machine sequences, equipment interfaces, data handling processes and system interlocks.
• Integrate automation hardware including drives, remote I/O, servo systems, robots, barcode scanners, RFID systems and vision technology.
• Configure and troubleshoot Profinet and Industrial Ethernet communication networks.
• Maintain software version control, change logs and project documentation.

Testing & Validation

• Carry out structured software testing and simulation activities prior to deployment.
• Support panel testing, I/O validation and system integration testing.
• Participate in Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) activities and resolve controls‑related issues.
• Ensure all software and functionality meets customer and project requirements before release.

Site Commissioning

• Commission automated systems at customer sites across the UK and occasionally overseas.
• Complete network validation, device integration, drive setup and sequence commissioning.
• Optimise system performance, throughput and reliability.
• Support Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), customer demonstrations and final sign‑off activities.
• Provide technical leadership and troubleshooting support during commissioning phases.
• Ensure all activities are completed safely and in accordance with project and customer requirements.

Handover & Support

• Produce final software backups, release notes and controls documentation.
• Deliver operator and maintenance training where required.
• Support post‑installation activities including warranty support and remote diagnostics.
• Assist with fault‑finding, modifications and service support activities.
• Share best practice and mentor less experienced engineers where appropriate.

Essential Experience & Skills

• Minimum 5 years' experience delivering industrial automation or controls engineering projects.
• Strong Siemens PLC and Siemens TIA Portal experience.
• Proven programming capability using Structured Text (SCL) and Ladder Logic.
• HMI development experience.
• Hands‑on industrial automation commissioning experience.
• Knowledge of machine control, conveyor systems, drives and motor control.
• Strong understanding of Profinet and Industrial Ethernet networks.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics, I/O schedules and Functional Design Specifications.
• Experience managing technical deliverables throughout the project lifecycle.
• Strong communication skills and customer‑facing experience.

Desirable Experience

• Siemens Safety PLCs and functional safety systems.
• Allen‑Bradley / Rockwell, Beckhoff, Omron, Mitsubishi or Schneider PLC platforms.
• ABB, FANUC, Kawasaki or KUKA robot integration.
• Servo motion systems.
• Vision systems, barcode scanning and RFID technologies.
• Warehouse automation, material handling or robotic automation environments.
• PLC integration with SCADA, WMS, MES or database platforms.
• Technical mentoring and engineering standards development.
• International commissioning experience.

Qualifications

• HNC, HND, Degree or equivalent qualification in Electrical, Electronic, Controls, Automation or Mechatronic Engineering.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

What's on Offer?

• Varied and technically challenging automation projects.
• Exposure to the full controls engineering lifecycle.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• Supportive engineering culture focused on quality, safety and teamwork.
• Combination of office‑based engineering and customer‑facing commissioning work.
• Opportunity to work with cutting‑edge automation technologies across multiple industrie