Senior Controls & Automation Engineer

Senior Controls & Automation Engineer

Salary: Up to £60,000 DOE

Location: Cheshire – Commutable from Warrington, Northwich, Crewe 

Hours: Monday – Friday, 35-hour working week

The Opportunity:

A manufacturing business undergoing a major modernisation programme is seeking a Senior Controls & Automation Engineer to lead the development, standardisation and future roadmap of machine control systems. This role acts as the technical authority for controls, motion, automation and machine connectivity, supporting the transition from Allen Bradley to Siemens platforms and driving innovation across increasingly sophisticated machinery and automated handling systems.

The Role:

Reporting to the Engineering Manager, this position combines hands‑on controls engineering with strategic input, project support and mentoring responsibilities. You will define controls architecture, lead the Siemens migration, develop advanced motion applications and support compliance, commissioning and customer acceptance activities.

Key Responsibilities: 

Define and maintain the controls and automation architecture roadmap
Lead the transition from Allen Bradley to Siemens (TIA Portal / S7‑1500)
Establish coding standards, controls structures and engineering best practice
Design and develop PLC control systems, motion control and servo applications
Configure and commission SINAMICS drives, safety systems and WinCC HMI/SCADA
Develop diagnostics, predictive maintenance and machine connectivity features
Lead automation and handling system development (robots, gantries, conveyors, integrated cells)
Integrate third‑party automation equipment and industrial communication networks (Profinet, Ethernet/IP, OPC UA, Modbus)
Support CE/UKCA compliance, functional safety and cyber security requirements
Participate in risk assessments, validation and customer acceptance testing
Provide technical leadership, mentoring and guidance to junior engineers
Support commissioning, FAT/SAT and complex troubleshooting
The Person: 

Strong Siemens TIA Portal experience (S7‑1500, SINAMICS, WinCC)
Significant PLC programming experience across complex machinery
Advanced motion control experience (servo, multi‑axis, interpolation, synchronisation)
Experience with automated handling systems and integrated production cells
Knowledge of industrial networks and machine connectivity
Understanding of CE/UKCA, functional safety and compliance standards
Confident leading technical direction and mentoring engineers
Strong communication skills and comfortable engaging with customers
Keywords: 

Controls Engineer, Automation Engineer, Siemens TIA Portal, S7, Motion Control, Drives, PLC Programming, Machine Automation, Industrial Controls, Electrical Controls Engineer, Commissioning Engineer, Continuous Improvement, Manufacturing Engineering, Robotics, SCADA, HMI,

Apply

To apply or discuss the role in more detail, please contact:

Ryan Taylor Proman UK (phone number removed) (url removed)

INDWIN

Our clients and their customers come from diverse backgrounds and so do we. We hire our people from various walks of life, each of whom make our company stronger with their talent, uniqueness, and expertise. This is what makes our company special; if you want to help us grow and take this ethos to our clients, then we cannot wait to collaborate with you!

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