CONTROLS ENGINEER – PLC & AUTOMATION
Location: Callington, Cornwall
Salary: £55k-£65k+ Benefits
Contract: Full-Time
Working Pattern: On-site, with UK and International Travel

We are supporting an established engineering and manufacturing business in their search for an experienced Controls Engineer to join their specialist engineering team based in Callington, Cornwall.

This is an exciting opportunity for an engineer with strong PLC programming, motion control and industrial automation experience to work on bespoke production and process equipment for customers within the food manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries.

You’ll be involved in the full project lifecycle, from developing automation solutions and programming control systems through to Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), installation, commissioning and ongoing customer support. Projects range from individual equipment solutions through to complex, multi-million-pound turnkey systems.

The Role: As Controls Engineer, you will be responsible for:

• PLC Programming & Development – Developing PLC programs and control software for new automated production and process equipment.
• Motion Control Systems – Developing and implementing motion control code for automated machinery and associated equipment.
• HMI Development – Designing and programming HMI screens to provide effective machine operation, monitoring and control.
• Automation Solution Design – Working closely with Sales and Design teams to develop technically robust, commercially competitive automation solutions tailored to customer requirements.
• Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) – Commissioning and testing automated equipment at the company’s Callington facility before customer delivery.
• Site Commissioning – Travelling to customer facilities across the UK and internationally to commission newly installed equipment and ensure successful operation.
• Technical Troubleshooting – Diagnosing and resolving PLC, control system and automation issues, providing remote and on-site customer support.
• Product Development – Contributing practical controls engineering expertise to the development and improvement of new and existing automated equipment.
• Continuous Improvement – Supporting strategic reviews and identifying opportunities to enhance automation capabilities, technical solutions and product performance.
• Customer Collaboration – Working directly with customers and internal engineering teams to deliver reliable, high-quality automation solutions.

What We’re Looking For:

• Relevant qualifications in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation or a related discipline.
• Previous experience working with production or process equipment within the food manufacturing and/or pharmaceutical industries.
• Strong hands-on experience developing and commissioning PLC-based control systems.
• Familiarity with Allen-Bradley, Mitsubishi and Siemens PLC software.
• Experience developing motion control solutions for automated machinery.
• Experience working with industrial vision systems.
• Ability to develop and configure HMI screens for automated equipment.
• Practical experience troubleshooting and commissioning industrial control systems.
• Strong communication, interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Willingness to travel throughout the UK, Europe and internationally, including working away from home when required.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Ability to commute to the company’s Callington facility.
• Existing legal right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available.

Particularly Desirable:

• Extensive experience with Allen-Bradley MicroLogix, CompactLogix and ControlLogix PLCs.
• Experience programming and commissioning Allen-Bradley Kinetix servo controllers.
• Strong understanding of industrial motion control and servo-driven automation.
• Previous experience delivering bespoke machinery or turnkey automation projects.
• Experience commissioning equipment directly at customer manufacturing facilities.

Benefits:

• Competitive remuneration package.
• Employer pension contributions.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Varied and technically interesting engineering projects.
• Opportunity to work with major UK and international manufacturing customers.
• Exposure to bespoke automation systems and complex turnkey equipment.

Why Apply?
This is an excellent opportunity to join an established engineering business with over 50 years of experience delivering specialist production and process equipment.

You’ll become part of a small, highly experienced engineering team, working on a varied portfolio of automation projects for leading food and pharmaceutical manufacturers.

The role would particularly suit a hands-on Controls Engineer with strong PLC programming and machinery commissioning experience who enjoys technical problem-solving, developing bespoke automation solutions and seeing projects through from initial design to successful installation.

If you’re looking for a varied engineering role combining PLC programming, motion control, FAT, site commissioning and international project exposure, we’d be keen to hear from you.