Controls Engineer

Controls Engineer job in Darlington – £45K – £55K + 10% Company Bonus + Private Medical Insurance

Reporting to the Head of Engineering, this is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Controls Engineer to join a busy manufacturing operation in Darlington. The role is ideal for a practical and proactive engineer who enjoys solving technical challenges, improving manufacturing performance, and working with modern automation, control, and CNC technologies.

As a key member of the engineering team, you will play an important role in maintaining operational efficiency, reducing downtime, and driving continuous improvement initiatives across the site. Working closely with production and engineering colleagues, you will help ensure equipment reliability while supporting the development of less experienced engineers and apprentices.

Benefits

Employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Up to 80% discount on kitchen products
• Holiday purchase scheme allowing the purchase of up to five additional days annual leave
• 24/7 access to a virtual GP service and Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Discounts with more than 200 high-street retailers and brands
• Refer a Friend programme
• A collaborative working environment where employee ideas and contributions are valued

The Role

The successful Controls Engineer will be responsible for supporting and enhancing manufacturing equipment, automation systems, and production processes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Diagnosing and resolving electrical and electronic faults to maximise equipment uptime and minimise production disruption
• Maintaining, modifying, and improving PLC and HMI systems
• Programming, commissioning, and supporting inverter (VSD) systems and associated controls
• Supporting automation technologies, including robotics and CNC woodworking machinery
• Reading and interpreting electrical schematics and technical drawings to assist with troubleshooting and improvement projects
• Supporting the installation, commissioning, and validation of new manufacturing equipment
• Leading and contributing to continuous improvement activities focused on safety, reliability, efficiency, and performance
• Working alongside production and engineering teams to deliver practical and sustainable engineering solutions
• Ensuring all engineering activities comply with health, safety, and regulatory requirements
• Providing guidance, mentoring, and technical support to engineers and apprentices across the department

Skills and Experience

The ideal candidate will possess a combination of strong technical expertise and a positive, team-oriented approach.

Requirements include:

• Previous experience carrying out electrical and electronic fault finding within a manufacturing environment
• Strong knowledge of PLC and HMI systems, including diagnostics, maintenance, and programming
• Experience programming and commissioning inverter (VSD) systems
• Exposure to industrial automation and robotic systems
• Ability to interpret electrical diagrams, schematics, and technical documentation
• Experience working with Siemens or Allen-Bradley PLC platforms
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work independently and collaboratively

Experience with CNC woodworking machinery such as HOMAG, BIESSE, IMA, or SCM would be beneficial but is not essential.

Company Values

Success in this position comes from embracing the organisation’s core values:

Care – Building positive relationships, working collaboratively, and supporting colleagues to achieve their goals.

Inspire – Taking ownership, communicating effectively, and contributing ideas that drive improvement and innovation.

Deliver – Remaining focused on achieving results while continuously improving reliability, performance, and working practices.