Controls & Robotics Engineer

Controls & Robotics Engineer

Location: Between Cheltenham & Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire
Salary: £50,000–£80,000 OTE, depending on experience
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
✈️ Travel: UK & International – approximately 40%

⚠️ Important Information

Applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

The Opportunity

Workforce Group are working with a growing specialist engineering business that designs, builds and installs bespoke automation and control systems for customers across the UK and internationally.

Due to continued growth and increasing demand for their highly engineered automation solutions, they are looking for an experienced Controls & Robotics Engineer to join their close-knit engineering team.

This is an exciting opportunity for an engineer who enjoys working on bespoke automation projects, rather than repetitive production-line work.

You will be involved throughout the project lifecycle, from initial design and programming through to installation, commissioning and customer handover, working on technically challenging automation projects across a range of industries.

The role offers excellent exposure to PLC programming, robotics, HMI, SCADA, industrial networks and machine automation, alongside the opportunity to travel internationally to customer sites across Europe, the USA and Canada.

If you're a hands-on Controls Engineer who enjoys solving complex problems, working independently and seeing your systems come to life on-site, this could be an excellent opportunity.

The Role

Working alongside mechanical, electrical and controls engineers, you will take responsibility for designing, programming, integrating and commissioning bespoke automation systems.

Your responsibilities will include:

Designing and programming PLC, HMI, SCADA and industrial network systems from scratch
Programming and integrating industrial robots
Developing control architectures and automation solutions alongside mechanical and electrical design teams
Taking ownership of projects from concept and design through to build, commissioning and handover
Installing, commissioning and testing machinery at customer sites
Providing customer training and technical support
Diagnosing faults and improving existing control and robotic systems
Managing project priorities, technical issues and customer communication
Working closely with customers, suppliers and internal engineering teams
Supporting and mentoring other members of the engineering team
Ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently and to a high standard

Technical Experience Required

We're looking for an experienced Controls & Robotics Engineer with a strong background in industrial automation.

You should have experience with:

PLC programming using Allen-Bradley and/or Siemens
HMI/touchscreen, SCADA and industrial network programming
Industrial robotics programming and integration
FANUC robots would be particularly advantageous
Experience with Nachi, Kawasaki or ABB robots would also be beneficial
EtherNet/IP and/or PROFINET
Automated machinery and manufacturing processes
Installation, commissioning, servicing and fault-finding
Developing and programming control systems from scratch
Working directly with customers and multidisciplinary engineering teams

Desirable Experience

The following experience would be highly advantageous:

Project management or technical ownership of automation projects
EPLAN electrical design
Machine vision systems
Packaging or container handling machinery
Plastics processing
International machinery commissioning and support

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who is practical, technically capable and confident working independently.

You should be:

A strong problem solver with a logical and methodical approach
Naturally inquisitive and willing to investigate complex technical issues
Able to take ownership of projects with minimal supervision
Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
Confident communicating with customers, suppliers and colleagues
Flexible and willing to contribute across different areas of a project
Comfortable working within a close-knit engineering team
Professional, reliable and trustworthy
Committed to maintaining high standards of quality and health & safety

International Travel

Approximately 40% travel is expected as part of the role.

You will have the opportunity to work on customer projects throughout the UK, Europe, USA and Canada, giving you genuine international exposure and the chance to work on a wide variety of automation systems.

International projects include:

Good-quality accommodation
Generous daily living allowance
Additional payment for Saturday site work
Sundays are not typically worked

What's On Offer?

£50,000–£80,000 OTE, depending on experience
International travel opportunities
Generous overseas living allowance
Additional pay for Saturday site work
Private health insurance for you, your partner and children after probation
Contributory pension scheme
21 days' annual holiday + bank holidays
Additional holiday for long service
Cycle to Work scheme
Spot bonuses and recognition awards
Strong training and development opportunities
Genuine career progression
Company uniform and PPE
Opportunity to work on bespoke and technically challenging automation projects

Working Hours

Monday–Thursday: 08:00–17:00
Friday: 08:00–14:00

Additional hours may occasionally be required when travelling or commissioning machinery on-site.

Additional Requirements

Full UK driving licence
Comfortable travelling throughout the UK and internationally
Able to meet entry requirements for countries where projects are undertaken
Fluent English
Proven industrial controls and robotics experience
A practical technical assessment will form part of the interview process.

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