Junior Controls & Automation Engineer | Reading / Slough / Berkshire | Full Time | £30,000–£35,000 per annum depending on experience

Our client is a specialist engineering business with a close-knit team of around 13 people, delivering controls, automation and electrical engineering projects for customers across the UK and internationally.

They have successfully developed junior engineers previously and are comfortable investing time in the right individual. This is an opportunity to join a supportive team where attitude, aptitude and potential are valued alongside technical ability.

The Role

Are you a graduate or junior engineer looking to build a genuine career in controls and automation?

This role is suited to someone who has a technical, electrical, mechatronics or similar engineering background and a genuine interest in developing within controls and automation.

Some exposure to PLC programming and industrial automation or controls would be beneficial, but you do not need to have every technical skill from day one. PLC programming and other specialist systems can be developed through hands-on training and working closely with experienced engineers.

Initially, you will work alongside senior engineers, learning the company's systems, software and ways of working. Projects are collaborative, with engineers working together rather than expecting junior team members to work independently from the outset.

As your skills and confidence develop, you will gradually take on more responsibility across programming, design, testing, commissioning, fault finding and customer interaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting senior engineers on controls and automation projects
• Developing PLC programming skills
• Assisting with controls and electrical engineering activities
• Supporting testing and commissioning
• Fault finding and problem solving
• Working with HMI / SCADA and wider automation technologies
• Progressively taking responsibility for programming, design and commissioning
• Attending UK customer sites as required
• Travelling internationally for customer projects
• Developing customer-facing and project management skills as experience grows

Requirements

Our client is interested in candidates with potential rather than simply looking for someone who already ticks every technical box.

Candidates may come from backgrounds including:

• Controls Engineering
• Automation Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechatronics
• Industrial Automation
• Robotics
• Manufacturing
• Machine Controls
• Systems Integration
• Electrical / Controls Technician roles

A degree is not essential. Electrical, electronic or mechatronics qualifications would be useful, but candidates who have developed strong technical skills through apprenticeships, technician roles, hands on experience or other routes will also be considered.

Essential

• Full UK driving licence
• Access to a vehicle
• Willingness to travel to customer sites across the UK
• Willingness to undertake international travel when required
• Strong problem-solving and analytical ability
• Genuine interest in controls and automation
• Positive attitude and willingness to learn
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a small team
• Friendly and personable approach

Desirable

• Some knowledge or experience of PLC programming
• Exposure to industrial automation or controls
• Electrical or controls engineering experience
• Programming or engineering-related problem-solving experience
• Testing and commissioning experience
• Siemens PLCs / TIA Portal
• Beckhoff / TwinCAT
• IEC 61131
• EPLAN

International Travel

International travel is an important part of the role, with customer projects across locations including Australia, Singapore, Brazil, Norway, China and the Middle East

Initial international trips would normally be undertaken alongside an experienced engineer. UK customer visits and occasional overnight stays will also be required, typically one or two nights at a time

All travel and accommodation for company business is fully covered

Working Pattern

The role is primarily office and site based, particularly during the early stages of development

Hybrid working does not generally suit the nature of the position due to the hands on, collaborative and customer facing elements of the role. However, a pragmatic approach is taken where particular tasks can clearly be completed remotely

Engineers may also travel directly to customer sites where required

What’s In It For You

• £30,000–£35,000 per annum depending on experience
• Some flexibility for candidates with particularly relevant experience
• NEST pension following probation
• 20 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Fully covered business travel and accommodation
• 45p per mile business mileage reimbursement for travel exceeding the normal commute
• International project exposure
• Hands-on training and development
• Increasing responsibility as your skills develop
• Clear progression towards more senior engineering roles
• Opportunity to work across a range of customers, industries and technologies
• Discretionary bonuses may be paid subject to company performance but are not guaranteed

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