Software & Controls Engineer

Guidant Global; Royston; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Guidant Global is seeking a Software and Controls Engineer responsible for designing and managing equipment on PLC and SCADA systems in Royston. The role entails addressing plant control issues, executing planned maintenance, and leading software projects. Candidates should have a degree in electronics and extensive knowledge of PLC/SCADA systems, with proven problem-solving skills and the ability to collaborate effectively.

Qualifications

• Hold a formal Electronic/Controls qualification.
• Skills in PLC and SCADA systems.
• Experience in large-scale manufacturing/chemical facilities.

Responsibilities

• Design, install, manage, and maintain equipment and software on PLC and SCADA systems.
• Lead completion of software related breakdowns and reactive plant support.
• Implement and review control strategies.

Skills

PLC knowledge

SCADA systems experience

Problem-solving

Project management skills

Education

Degree in Electronics/Controls

HNC/HND in Electronics/Controls

Job description

Job title	Software and Controls Engineer	Job holder	Vacancy
Job family	R&D and Engineering	Job Discipline	Engineering
Global Grade	10	Date	July 2025
Reports to (role)	Maintenance Manager	Location	Royston
Business unit	Platinum Group Metal Services (PGMS)	Sector	Platinum Group Metal Services (PGMS)

Business Overview & Context

Johnson Matthey ('JM') is a global leader in science that enables a cleaner and healthier world. With over 200 years of sustained commitment to innovation and technological breakthroughs, we improve the function, performance and safety of our customers' products. Our science has a global impact in areas such as low emission transport, pharmaceuticals, chemical processing and making the most efficient use of the planet's natural resources. Today more than 14,000 Johnson Matthey professionals collaborate with our network of customers and partners to make a real difference to the world around us.

Efficient Natural Resources is an autonomous business, one of four sectors within Johnson Matthey, with revenues of circa £1 billion (circa £7 billion including precious metals) and operations worldwide.

Platinum Group Metal Services (PGMS) is one of four businesses within the Efficient Natural Resources Sector that manages, distributes, refines and recycles precious metals and fabricates products using precious metals and related materials. The business unit also manufactures platinum group metals, minor metal compounds, organometallics and fine metal powders for high technology applications, as well as providing a range of management services for platinum group metals. PGMS has manufacturing operations in the UK, US and China and sells to key markets globally across Europe, the US and Asia.

Job purpose

Working within the Engineering support Team and reporting to the Maintenance Manager, the Software/Controls Engineer (SCE) is responsible for designing, installing, managing and/or maintaining equipment and software on PLC and SCADA systems, which are used to monitor and control the plant systems at Royston. The majority of your time will be spent on software orientated tasks including but not limited to: fault finding, testing of Logic coding, implementing changes to the existing Controls Infrastructure in line with actions arising from MOC requests, attend HAZOP Studies / PHA's etc as a Software and Controls representative.

Provide Software and Controls input for projects for the Site, this could be modifications to existing systems or new installations altogether.

Principal accountabilities

This is an exciting role within the business and the successful candidate would be responsible for the following.

• Provide expert knowledge of PLC systems, JM preferred is Omron and Allen-
• Provide expert knowledge of SCADA systems, JM preferred is Wonderware (Intouch) and Inductive

Automation's (Ignition) SCADA packages.

• Lead completion of software related breakdowns and reactive plant support
• Support the maintenance team, especially E&I Technicians, to resolve Control and Instrumentation breakdowns and issues on plant
• Lead execution of software planned maintenance work
• Complete the software aspects of small projects, including participation as SME (subject matter expert) in Management of Change reviews

• Supporting the projects teams at initial design stages to offer advice on the selection of software and controls equipment to ensure improved levels of plant reliability and maintainability, designing, developing, installing, managing and/or maintaining equipment and software as required.
• Implement and continually review the controls strategy to ensure business needs, both current and future are maintained and developed.
• Implement recognised standards with regards alarm management and safety related control functions so that process safety is delivered.
• Interpreting technical drawings for planning, executing, and specifying material to support job
• Provide support to technicians carrying out Instrumentation Loop testing to ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 standards when required (assistance from a Software perspective only)
• Taking ownership of own training and development
• Responsible for contractors you bring onto site and their adherence to JM standards and performance requirements in your area of remit, escalating any issues necessary.
• Ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the controls network infrastructure including but not limited to:
  • Server Health monitoring
  • Data replication / backup verifications
  • Database administration for
• Maintenance and update of malware / Antivirus counter measures on the controls
• As part of the role, you will be required to support the call-out rota for out of hours

EHS, Quality & Security

• Contributing to the Investigation and reporting of all software, controls, and security breach, near misses & incidents, with the aim of preventing reoccurrence.
• Ensuring effective escalation of concerns as required to the (SME) & (MM) or relevant Manager
• Responsible for the delivery of quality outputs and ensuring that each task is effectively closed off to the required JM standard.
• Permit to work

LEAN / Continuous Improvement

• Driving "Lean" initiatives in the department
• Ensuring all 5S Checks and housekeeping tasks are completed
• Initiating and Supporting Continuous improvement projects

Scope

This role will require you to work independently and collaboratively with Maintenance Manager (MM), Reliability Engineer (RE), Engineering Planner (EP), Compliance Engineer (CE), Maintenance Lead (ML), Team Leader (TL) deputy Team Leader (DTL), members of the operating departments and to support the apprentices, at times. You will be expected to:

• Lead completion of software related breakdowns and reactive plant support
• Support the maintenance team, especially E&I Technicians, to resolve Control and Instrumentation breakdowns and issues on plant
• Lead execution of software planned maintenance work
• Complete the software aspects of small projects, including participation as SME (subject matter expert) in Management of Change reviews
• Supervise Contractors as required commissioned to undertake work falling within your area of supervision

• Collaborate with project team members to deliver successful software and controls integration of new plant and equipment.

Special factors

TRAVEL

You will be expected to work at the Royston site and may occasionally be required to travel for collaborative work and/or course attendance.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment is mostly office based with occasional visits to the operational areas, both pyrometallurgical and Hydrometallurgical.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25kg.

Person specification

Qualifications/ knowledge/ experience (Technical/ professional knowledge and skills competency)
Hold a formal Electronic/controls qualification such as Degree, HNC/HND or equivalent recognised training	Essential
Have skills in Programmable logic controllers (PLC) (Omron, Allen Bradley), and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) & preferably experience with Wonderware	Essential
ECI experience in a large-scale manufacturing/chemical facilities/plant within a software/controls function	Essential
Experience in network infrastructure, architecture and administration	Essential
Knowledge and experience with the following: Windows server 2008,2012 and 2016, Microsoft SQL server 2000,2008 and 2012, Active directory, Terminal services and Thin client architecture, MS licencing	Essential
Ability to read and understand Instrument and electrical drawings	Essential
Good understanding of Hazardous areas and its identification DSEAR/ATEX would be an advantage	Desirable

Personal skills and key competencies (including JM behavioural competencies)
Proven leadership and decision-making skills	Desirable
Ability to Lead by example	Essential
Delivers Innovative & Practical Solutions	Essential
Able to give and receive clear and unbiased information	Essential
Build strategic working relationships	Essential
High energy and enthusiasm	Essential
Business and Customer Awareness	Essential
Operate with integrity and authenticity	Essential
Delegating Responsibility	Essential
Have demonstrable understanding of EHS management principles	Essential
Ability to work on own and prioritise and plan own workload	Essential

Ability to distil complex situations into clear and simple summaries for presentation to non- subject-matter expert / senior leadership teams

Essential

JM VALUES

Protecting our people and the planet

Acting with integrity

Working together

Innovating and improving

Owning what we do