Lead Control Systems Engineer

MERITUS are recruiting for a Lead Control Systems Engineer to join a leading systems integration and engineering business, delivering complex industrial automation, PLC, SCADA and operational technology solutions across the UK energy sector.

LEAD CONTROL SYSTEMS ENGINEER - PLC / SCADA / AUTOMATION - £NEG (ENQUIRE FOR DETAILS) - STONE, STAFFORDSHIRE, HYBRID 2-3 DAYS PER WEEK ON-SITE

We're looking for an experienced Control Systems Engineer with a strong background in industrial automation, PLC programming, SCADA systems and operational technology to provide technical leadership across major energy infrastructure projects. Working across the full engineering lifecycle, you'll lead the development and delivery of control and automation systems supporting energy generation, transmission, distribution, storage and critical infrastructure applications.

You'll work closely with Project Managers, electrical engineers, hardware teams, customers and site personnel to develop robust, secure and reliable automation solutions using Schneider Electric, Siemens and Rockwell Automation platforms. From requirements capture and architecture development through software design, testing, commissioning and handover, you'll provide technical direction and engineering assurance on a range of high-profile projects.

Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership for the delivery of PLC, SCADA, HMI and industrial automation systems.
• Develop control philosophies, system architectures, functional design specifications, software design specifications and testing documentation.
• Lead PLC software development and technical assurance activities across Schneider, Siemens and Rockwell platforms.
• Design and integrate SCADA and HMI solutions including alarms, trends, historian interfaces, reporting and operator displays.
• Ensure robust implementation of industrial communications including Modbus, OPC UA, PROFINET, PROFIBUS, EtherNet/IP, DNP3 and MQTT.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering activities across control systems, electrical, process, safety, cybersecurity and commissioning teams.
• Lead design reviews, software reviews, technical assessments and engineering governance activities.
• Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), commissioning and customer handover.
• Identify and manage technical risks, assumptions, dependencies and change requests throughout project delivery.
• Provide mentoring, coaching and technical guidance to engineers across the wider control systems team.

Skills & Experience:

Essential:

• Proven experience delivering industrial control systems, automation or operational technology projects through the full engineering lifecycle.
• Strong PLC programming experience using Schneider Electric, Siemens and/or Rockwell Automation platforms.
• Experience developing SCADA, HMI and industrial automation solutions.
• Knowledge of industrial communications including Modbus, OPC UA, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, PROFIBUS, DNP3 and MQTT.
• Experience producing engineering documentation including FDS, SDS, I/O schedules, cause-and-effect matrices and test specifications.
• Strong understanding of commissioning, FAT, SAT and system integration activities.
• Knowledge of industrial cybersecurity, configuration management and engineering change control.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills with the ability to engage customers and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to customer sites as required.

Desirable:

• Experience with Schneider EcoStruxure Control Expert, Siemens TIA Portal, WinCC, PCS7, Rockwell Studio 5000, FactoryTalk or equivalent industrial automation platforms.
• Experience with AVEVA System Platform, Plant SCADA, Ignition, Zenon or similar SCADA technologies.
• Knowledge of IEC 61131-3 programming standards and industrial software development best practice.
• Understanding of IEC 62443 cybersecurity standards and secure OT environments.
• Experience with IEC 61508, IEC 61511 or safety-related control systems.
• Experience within energy generation, renewables, battery energy storage systems (BESS), utilities, transmission and distribution networks or other critical infrastructure sectors.
• Experience delivering brownfield upgrades, system migrations and integration with enterprise or control centre systems.
• Degree, HNC/HND or equivalent qualification in Control Systems, Automation, Electrical, Electronic or related Engineering discipline.
• Working towards or holding IEng or CEng professional registration.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary (£Neg - enquire for details).
• 28 days holiday + bank holidays.
• 6.5% matched pension.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Professional development and career progression.
• Opportunities to work on major UK Energy infrastructure programmes.
• Support for professional memberships and relevant qualifications.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Control Systems Engineer, Automation Engineer, PLC Engineer, SCADA Engineer, EC&I Engineer, Systems Engineer, Electrical Controls Engineer, OT Engineer or Industrial Automation Engineer to join a growing engineering organisation delivering critical national infrastructure projects across the UK energy sector.

You'll play a key role in the design, integration and delivery of advanced PLC, SCADA and automation systems, working on projects spanning power generation, renewables, utilities, energy storage and operational technology environments while contributing to the UK's transition to a more resilient and sustainable energy network.