CONTROL & AUTOMATION ENGINEER – PLC & SCADA
Location: Watchfield, Oxfordshire (near Swindon)
Salary: £40,000–£65,000 per annum (DOE)
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
Working Pattern: On-site, with occasional UK and international travel

We are supporting an established, globally recognised control systems integration specialist in their search for an experienced Control & Automation Engineer to join their engineering team in Watchfield, Oxfordshire.

This is an exciting opportunity for an engineer with strong PLC programming, SCADA development and industrial automation experience to work on technically challenging projects for customers across a range of industries worldwide.

You’ll be involved in the complete control systems lifecycle, from design and programming through to testing, commissioning and troubleshooting, working with leading automation platforms and emerging technologies.

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

• PLC Programming & Development – Designing, developing, programming and testing PLC-based control systems for industrial automation applications.
• SCADA & HMI Development – Developing and configuring SCADA systems, operator interfaces and industrial information systems to support effective process monitoring and control.
• Control Systems Integration – Integrating PLCs, SCADA platforms, industrial networks and associated automation equipment into complete control solutions.
• Commissioning & Testing – Supporting system testing, installation oversight and commissioning activities to ensure reliable operation and compliance with project requirements.
• Process Control & Optimisation – Developing intelligent process control strategies to improve operational efficiency, system reliability and performance.
• Technical Troubleshooting – Diagnosing and resolving complex control system, software and communication issues.
• Industrial Communications – Working with industrial network architectures and communication protocols, including Ethernet, ProfiBus, ProfiNet and Modbus.
• Engineering Documentation – Producing and maintaining accurate technical documentation, system specifications and project records.
• Project Delivery – Managing multiple engineering activities and meeting demanding project schedules while maintaining high technical standards.
• Customer & Site Support – Undertaking short commissioning assignments across the UK and internationally, providing hands-on technical support at customer facilities.

What We’re Looking For:

• Strong practical experience in PLC programming, testing and commissioning.
• Hands-on experience developing SCADA systems and HMIs for industrial applications.
• Familiarity with automation platforms such as Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, Siemens or Schneider Modicon.
• Understanding of industrial control systems, automation architectures and system integration.
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols, including Ethernet, ProfiBus, ProfiNet and Modbus.
• Understanding of industrial cybersecurity and control network architecture.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve complex automation and process control issues.
• Familiarity with engineering tools such as AutoCAD.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver engineering work within agreed project timelines.
• Willingness to undertake occasional short commissioning assignments across the UK and internationally.

Desirable:

• Experience with modern SCADA platforms such as Ignition, Wonderware or Siemens WinCC / WinCC Unified.
• Experience working across multiple PLC manufacturers and automation platforms.
• Previous experience within a systems integration or project-based engineering environment.
• Exposure to international industrial automation projects.
• Interest in emerging automation technologies and next-generation industrial information systems.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary of £40,000–£65,000, depending on experience.
• Travel bonuses for commissioning assignments.
• Additional paid time off.
• Access to a salary-sacrifice benefits scheme.
• Opportunity to work on international automation projects.
• Exposure to modern PLC, SCADA and industrial control technologies.

Why Apply?
This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established control systems integrator with an international customer base and a track record of delivering complex automation projects across more than 40 countries.

You’ll have the opportunity to work with a broad range of PLC and SCADA technologies, develop advanced industrial control solutions and gain exposure to projects both in the UK and overseas.

The position would particularly suit a hands-on PLC/SCADA Engineer who enjoys the variety of design, programming, troubleshooting and commissioning, and is keen to further develop their technical expertise within a specialist automation environment.