Lead Controls Engineer

About the role

We are seeking a Lead Controls Engineer to head a team of control specialists within a leading manufacturing business in Bristol. The role combines technical design, implementation and maintenance of advanced control systems with people‑leadership responsibilities.

Key responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop a team of Controls Engineers, setting clear objectives and priorities.
• Drive the design, development, implementation and maintenance of control systems.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of control systems within wider projects.
• Validate that all control systems meet performance standards, safety regulations and compliance requirements.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for complex control system issues.
• Engage with customers to understand requirements and deliver technical guidance.
• Stay current with emerging control technologies and identify continuous‑improvement opportunities.

Required profile

• HND, degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant technical discipline.
• Strong PLC programming experience.
• Experience with HMI development using VB.NET or other high‑level languages.
• Proven ability to produce clear technical documentation.
• Excellent spoken and written English.
• Previous experience in controls and software engineering within an industrial environment.
• Knowledge of communication protocols such as Modbus TCP and EtherCAT.
• Experience working in complex engineering or manufacturing settings.

Required skills

• PLC programming
• HMI programming (VB.NET)
• Modbus TCP
• EtherCAT
• Technical documentation

What we offer

• Salary £53,000‑£63,000 per annum plus a 7.5% annual bonus
• Hybrid working with an early finish at 1:00 pm every Friday
• Opportunity to lead a dedicated engineering team in a cutting‑edge manufacturing environment