Controls & Automation Engineer

Salary: £50,000 – £65,000 
Location: Sheffield
Permanent | Full-time

Nicholas Associates are working with a major industrial manufacturing business in Sheffield to recruit an experienced Controls & Automation Engineer.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a site undergoing significant investment and technological development, with major capital projects transforming its manufacturing and production facilities.

The successful candidate will play a key role in keeping existing automation systems performing reliably while also supporting the introduction, modification and commissioning of new plant and equipment.

The Role

Working as part of the engineering/projects function, you will provide specialist controls and automation support across the site. The position combines hands-on fault finding and technical support with programming, system improvements and involvement in major engineering projects.

You will work closely with engineering, maintenance, production, contractors and equipment suppliers to improve plant reliability, minimise downtime and deliver automation upgrades.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Diagnose and resolve faults across PLC, HMI, SCADA and industrial control systems.

• Modify, develop and optimise PLC and control-system software.

• Support the installation, testing and commissioning of new machinery and automation equipment.

• Assist with upgrades and improvement projects across the manufacturing site.

• Provide technical support to maintenance and production teams when complex automation issues arise.

• Work with electrical control panels, drives, instrumentation and associated automation hardware.

• Maintain accurate software backups, control-system documentation, drawings and modification records.

• Assist with system testing and ensure new developments meet required engineering and safety standards.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives aimed at increasing plant reliability, availability and performance.

• Work safely and in accordance with company procedures, legislation and recognised engineering standards.

What We're Looking For

We are interested in speaking with Controls, Automation, Electrical Controls or PLC Engineers who have strong practical experience within an industrial or manufacturing environment.

You should ideally have:

• Hands-on experience programming and fault finding Siemens and/or Allen-Bradley PLC systems.

• Experience with HMI and SCADA platforms, ideally including Wonderware/Aveva.

• Good knowledge of industrial automation, control panels and industrial communication networks.

• Experience working with instrumentation, sensors, transmitters, valves, motors, actuators and variable-speed drives.

• The ability to read and understand electrical schematics, control drawings and P&IDs.

• Strong diagnostic and problem-solving abilities.

• An understanding of machinery safety and safe engineering practices.

• The confidence to work with production, maintenance, engineering teams, contractors and external suppliers.

• A proactive approach with the ability to prioritise work around operational requirements.

• HNC/HND or equivalent qualification in Electrical, Electronic, Controls or Automation Engineering, or strong equivalent industrial experience.