Controls & Automation Lead

Overview

Controls & Automation Lead

• Permanent, full-time
• Onsite working with travel to customer sites
• £60,000 salary 

We’re supporting a well established engineering and automation business in the search for a Controls & Automation Lead to take ownership of complex, multi-disciplinary automation projects across a diverse customer base.

This is a senior, delivery-focused role where you’ll act as the technical authority for controls systems—driving design integrity, ensuring successful commissioning, and leading teams through full project lifecycles.The Role

You’ll be responsible for leading the design, validation, and commissioning of end-to-end controls solutions, spanning both hardware and software systems (plc, robotics, drives, safety, and vision).

Operating across multiple projects simultaneously, you’ll sit at the centre of engineering delivery—working closely with project managers, design teams, and installation teams to ensure systems are delivered right first time, on time, and to specification.

This role combines hands-on technical leadership with project-level ownership, including specification definition, design approval, and customer-facing engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and define controls specifications, ensuring alignment to customer and regulatory requirements
• Lead design validation and system approval across plcs, hmIs, robotics, safety systems, drives, vision, and scada
• Oversee commissioning strategy, fat planning, and installation validation
• Act as the technical escalation point for controls across multiple concurrent projects
• Support rfq generation, technical reviews, and commercial/technical levelling
• Work closely with engineering and project leads to plan resource, milestones, and delivery strategy
• Drive change control processes for all controls-related activities
• Promote and introduce new technologies, tools, and best practice methodologies
• Support and mentor engineers, contributing to team capability development

What we’re looking for

• 5+ years’ experience in industrial automation / machine build environments
• Proven experience leading controls teams across multiple projects
• Strong technical background across:
  • plc/hmi programming (siemens, rockwell, beckhoff)
  • robotics (abb, fanuc, kawasaki)
  • safety systems (pilz, siemens safety, rockwell)
  • drives & motion systems (siemens, sew, bosch)
  • vision systems (cognex, keyence)
• Experience delivering automation systems through full lifecycle (design → build → commission)
• Strong understanding of automation standards, compliance, and machinery safety
• Comfortable operating in a client-facing, technically accountable role

Desirable

• Experience with structured standards (e.g. packml, transline, oem-specific frameworks)
• Exposure to regulated environments (e.g. gamp, 21 cfr part 11)
• Vendor certifications (siemens, rockwell, abb, etc.)
• degree-qualified in engineering (or equivalent experience)

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