Permanent | Portsmouth, Hampshire
Salary £55,000 - £65,000 + excellent benefits
Progressive Engineering Recruitment is supporting a global engineering and manufacturing organisation that designs and delivers high‑integrity, high‑performance engineered products for regulated and demanding environments. They are looking to appoint an Electrical Systems Engineer to join their highly technical Portsmouth site as part of continued investment in automation and manufacturing capability.
This site brings together R&D engineering and advanced manufacturing, operating highly automated, bespoke production equipment using modern control systems, motion technology and machine safety systems. Engineers have genuine influence over how equipment is specified, integrated and operated, rather than working to fixed or legacy architectures.
This is a senior Electrical Systems Engineer role focused on electrical systems ownership and systems‑level integration across a fully automated production line. It is not a pure electrical draughting role and not a PLC programming position. The emphasis is on integrating complete electrical and control systems, bringing together machines, control panels, PLC architecture, drives, motion systems and safety circuits into a reliable and efficient production process.
You will be involved from initial specification and system definition through to commissioning support, combining structured electrical and systems engineering work with regular hands‑on involvement on the production line, supporting integration, fault‑finding and technical problem solving alongside manufacturing and controls teams.
What you'll be doing:
Taking ownership of electrical systems definition and integration for automated manufacturing equipment
Producing functional design specifications, electrical schematics and system documentation
Supporting and reviewing control panel design and supplier documentation
Integrating PLC architectures, I/O, instrumentation, motors, drives, motion systems and machine safety circuits
Working closely with internal engineering disciplines and external suppliers
Supporting build, commissioning and fault‑finding activities
Managing multiple electrical and automation workstreams within a live production environment
What typically fits well:
HNC, HND or degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent hands‑on experience
Strong electrical circuit design and fault‑finding background
Experience in automated, control‑led or machinery‑based environments
Working knowledge of electrical CAD
A solid understanding of PLC architecture from a systems integration perspective
Experience with motors, drives and motion hardware
Basic IP networking knowledge
Comfortable working between engineering office and shop floor
Nice to have (not essential):
Siemens PLC and motion systems
Simatic, Simotion or Sinamics
Servo drive systems and light PLC interaction
Robotics exposure
BS7671
Functional safety exposure (ISO 13849) - training and support available
In return, the business offers a salary of up to £65,000, plus a strong benefits package including pension up to 15% combined contribution, private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, 25 days annual leave, and a flexible benefits scheme with the option to purchase additional holiday.
The Electrical Systems Engineer role is based in Portsmouth and is commutable from Southampton, Fareham, Havant, Chichester and Waterlooville within approximately 60 minutes. Occasional overseas travel may be required but is infrequent and short‑duration.
This opportunity is well suited to an Electrical Systems Engineer who enjoys systems‑level integration, ownership of complex automated equipment, and working close to the manufacturing process.
Apply now to find out more.
To find out more about Progressive please visit
Salary description
£55000.00 - £65000.00 per year