Senior Control & Automation Engineer

Role Overview

• Develop a deep understanding of existing supplier-delivered control systems.
• Lead next-generation design, taking ownership of controls architecture, PLC logic and HMI evolution.
• Define and standardise control architectures to support modular, repeatable deployment.
• Ultimately hold technical ownership of control system architecture across the full product portfolio.
• Review and assess existing hardware and instrumentation selections and system designs.
• Lead next-generation design, including cost optimisation and standardisation of key components.
• Own hardware and instrumentation strategy, ensuring alignment with control philosophy and mechanical systems.
• Define component specifications, sizing approaches, and system-level design principles.
• Establish data acquisition and analysis approaches to support commissioning, validation, and troubleshooting.
• Embed data-driven engineering practices to generate insights into performance, reliability, and customer ROI.
• Act as the technical interface to suppliers, providing direction and challenging on key topics.
• Shape and expand the supplier ecosystem to improve quality, cost, and scalability.
• Transition from supplier-led development toward a hybrid and then primarily in-house capability, with suppliers used strategically for scale and specialisation.
• Act as the primary controls expert during field deployments, commissioning, and early-stage product stabilisation.
• Lead internal prototyping and development activities to enable faster iteration and validation.
• Establish standards, documentation, and engineering best practices for controls and automation.
• Play a key role in cross-disciplinary system design, working across controls and data domains.
• Build and grow internal capability, including mentoring and potential team development.

Requirements

• 8 or more years experience in industrial automation, process control systems, or mechatronics engineering
• Practical experience with PLC-based control systems (e.g. Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Beckhoff, or similar)
• Experience writing, reviewing and modifying existing PLC code and control logic in IEC 61131-3, Codesys etc
• Knowledge of control system architecture and control philosophy development
• Hands-on experience with industrial systems, installations, or commissioning
• Strong understanding of industrial instrumentation and control (sensors, actuators, motors, drives, industry 4.0)
• Experience working with external suppliers or contractors in a technical capacity
• Ability to analyse operational data to support engineering decisions
• Comfortable working in a multidisciplinary team alongside mechanical engineers
• Experience with HMI or SCADA systems
• Experience with data analysis tools (e.g. Python, or similar) and dashboarding
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols
• Experience specifying or reviewing control system hardware and panel designs
• Exposure to functional safety concepts and safe-state design
• Knowledge of industrial electrical systems (e.g. three-phase equipment)
• Degree in Control Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Integrated Engineering, or a related discipline.

Tech Stack

• Python

Benefits

• Flexible working environment, with core hours of 09:30-16:00 and hybrid working available, based at our central Bristol HQ
• Annual Leave – 26 days + public holidays + entitlement will increase with length of service, 1 day for every year up to 32 days pa
• 1 extra day of leave to celebrate you on your birthday
• Ability to swap up to 3 Bank Holidays in a year for days of cultural or religious significance
• Enhanced family leave (maternity & paternity)
• 13 weeks full pay (maternity) or 4 weeks full pay (paternity)
• available for those who have worked continuously for 26 weeks by the end of the Qualifying Week
• Sick Pay
• Short Term Sickness is full pay for 10 days in any 12-month rolling period / Long Term Sickness is full pay for any instance of a consecutive period of sickness longer than a week (7 consecutive days) up to 13 weeks.
• Pension scheme (Aviva) – 5% employer contribution
• Private Medical Insurance (BUPA) – you and your family (Level 1 cover)
• Medical Cash Plan (SimplyHealth)
• you and your family (Level 1 cover)
• Critical Illness Cover (Zurich)
• after 13 weeks of Illness 75% of wages paid up to 5 years
• Dental Plan (BUPA) – you and your family (Level 1 cover)
• Life Assurance (Zurich)
• one-off payment of 2 times your annual salary to next of kin
• Virtual GP
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Onsite kitchen, dining, breakout areas & healthy snacks
• Monthly lunch clubs
• Regular team events and parties
• On-site parking for bicycles and cars
• Cycle to work scheme
• Ethical discounts through Lumina
• Training & Development support incl. 5% of contractual hours used for self-development
• Professional membership
• one per year where relevant to role