CONTROL & AUTOMATION ENGINEER
Location: Ringwood
Salary: Up to £45k, Depending on Experience
Contract: Full-Time

We are supporting an established engineering and manufacturing organisation in their search for a Control & Automation Engineer to join their multidisciplinary Engineering team.

This is an exciting opportunity for an engineer with a strong background in control systems, automation software and hardware integration to work across a diverse range of innovative products used within education, research and industrial food technology.

The role offers a varied combination of new product development, control system design, software programming and technical troubleshooting, alongside the opportunity to maintain and improve existing and legacy systems.

The Role: As Control & Automation Engineer, you will be responsible for:

• Control System Design – Designing, developing and implementing robust, compliant and user-friendly control and automation systems for new and existing products.
• Software Development – Developing software applications and user interfaces using appropriate programming languages, frameworks and platforms.
• PLC & Automation Technologies – Specifying, designing and supporting systems incorporating PLCs, soft-PLCs, HMIs, motor controllers and other automation hardware.
• Hardware & Software Integration – Integrating electronic components, microprocessors, single-board computers and PC- or web-based software applications into complete product solutions.
• New Product Development – Supporting the development of innovative control solutions, working closely with other engineering disciplines to ensure effective integration, manufacture and ongoing support.
• Technical Troubleshooting – Investigating and resolving technical issues affecting existing and legacy control systems, supporting both internal teams and external customers.
• Supplier & Subcontractor Coordination – Working with suppliers and subcontractors to ensure components, assemblies, firmware and software meet technical specifications.
• Engineering Project Support – Contributing to project planning, technical reviews and design discussions, ensuring engineering deliverables meet agreed requirements.
• Technical Documentation – Developing and maintaining control system documentation, software records and technical information across the product portfolio.
• Continuous Improvement – Identifying opportunities to improve control system performance, engineering processes and product functionality through new technologies and innovative approaches.

What We’re Looking For:

• Experience designing, developing or supporting control and automation systems.
• Technical understanding of PLCs, soft-PLCs, HMIs and associated interface hardware.
• Software programming experience in one or more of the following:
• Python, C, C#, HTML, JavaScript, CSS or Structured Text.
• Understanding of software revision control and structured development practices.
• Knowledge of different control system architectures and hardware/software integration.
• Ability to troubleshoot and support both new and legacy control systems.
• Understanding of manufacturing and assembly processes, alongside commercial engineering considerations.
• Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Level 4/5 qualification in a relevant engineering or technical discipline.
• Proactive approach to technical innovation, continuous improvement and developing new engineering solutions.

Desirable:

• Experience using CODESYS for PLC or automation software development.
• Experience working with motor controllers, microprocessors, electronics or single-board computers.
• Knowledge of PC-based or web-based control applications.
• Experience supporting new product development within a manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to control systems used within scientific, research, educational or industrial equipment.

Why Apply?
This is an excellent opportunity for a Control & Automation Engineer who enjoys working across both software and hardware, rather than focusing exclusively on traditional PLC programming.

You’ll have the opportunity to contribute to new product development, explore different automation technologies and take technical ownership of control solutions throughout their lifecycle.

The role would particularly suit an engineer with a versatile technical background who enjoys solving complex problems, developing innovative solutions and working within a collaborative engineering environment.