Commissioning & Controls Engineer

Commissioning & Controls Engineer

About the Opportunity

Join a business at the forefront of warehouse automation and intralogistics, delivering large-scale automation projects that keep some of Europe's busiest distribution centres operating efficiently. With a strong focus on innovation, system performance, and customer satisfaction, the engineering team is responsible for designing, implementing, and supporting advanced control systems that drive operational excellence.

As a Commissioning & Controls Engineer, you will bridge the gap between software development and on-site delivery, ensuring automation systems are not only designed effectively but also perform successfully in real-world operating environments.

Role Purpose

This position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys both software and site-based activities. You will be involved in the development, testing, implementation, and commissioning of control systems used within automated material handling environments.

From modifying PLC software and configuring automation hardware to supporting system integration and live commissioning, you will play a critical role in ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest technical standards.

Responsibilities

Working as part of a wider controls and project engineering team, you will develop and modify PLC and HMI software to support system upgrades, retrofits, and operational improvements. You will participate in software testing activities and contribute to ensuring robust and reliable automation solutions before deployment.

Once systems move into the implementation phase, you will take ownership of commissioning activities on customer sites. This includes validating control sequences, testing automation equipment, troubleshooting faults, tuning system performance, and supporting go-live activities.

You will collaborate closely with customers, project managers, and site teams to resolve technical challenges and ensure project milestones are achieved. The role will also involve carrying out system health checks, identifying opportunities for optimisation, and ensuring all commissioning documentation is completed accurately.

As projects become increasingly complex, you will be expected to take a proactive approach to problem-solving and support continuous improvement initiatives across both software and commissioning activities.

Technical Requirements

The successful candidate will have experience within industrial automation, controls engineering, or automated material handling environments.

You will possess strong knowledge of PLC programming and troubleshooting, ideally with Siemens S7 and TIA Portal platforms. Experience working with industrial communication networks, inverter technology, servo systems, safety controls, and HMI development will be highly advantageous.

Candidates should be capable of reading electrical schematics, understanding functional design specifications, and identifying root causes of complex system issues in a structured and methodical manner.

Equally important is the ability to work effectively in customer-facing environments, often under tight project deadlines where clear communication and technical confidence are essential.

What We're Looking For

This role would suit an engineer who enjoys seeing the full lifecycle of an automation project, from software modification and testing through to successful commissioning and customer handover.

You will be comfortable working both independently and within a collaborative engineering team, bringing a practical, hands-on approach whilst maintaining strong controls engineering expertise.

A willingness to travel extensively is essential. The role requires 100% travel throughout the UK and Europe, supporting installation, commissioning, testing, and go-live activities on customer sites. Flexibility to spend extended periods away from home when required is a fundamental part of the position.

Why This Role?

Unlike a traditional Controls Engineer position, this opportunity offers significant involvement in the physical delivery of automation projects. You'll have the opportunity to influence both the software and operational performance of complex automated systems, gaining exposure to cutting-edge technologies and some of the most advanced logistics facilities across Europe