Our client (Ripley, Derbyshire) is looking for an Automation Engineer to own the design and delivery of control systems for bespoke machine tools and automation solutions. You’ll work end-to-end—from early concept and architecture through build, commissioning, and customer acceptance—on complex, high-performance systems combining multi-axis motion, robotics, and industrial controls.
This is a hands‑on, product‑focused role in a team that builds one‑off, engineered‑to‑order solutions. Expect real technical ownership: defining the control architecture, selecting sensors/drives/control components, producing electrical designs for manufacture, and driving reliability and continuous improvement across the installed base and new developments.
You’ll lead control system architecture and electrical system design for new machine tools, accessories, and supporting equipment, ensuring solutions are safe, robust, scalable, and meet customer and project requirements.
What you’ll work on:
- Multi-axis motion control, coordinated motion strategies, and kinematics
- Robotics integration and industrial automation (PLC/HMI/SCADA) in a real machine environment
- Control architecture, component selection, and electrical design released for manufacture
- Commissioning, tuning, debugging, and performance validation through to customer acceptance
- Functional safety, compliance, and reliability improvements on new and existing systems
Key technical scope:
- Design and deliver control system architectures for complex multi‑axis machines and robotics, including specification and selection of sensors, servo drives, motors, feedback devices, safety components, and industrial control hardware.
- Develop coordinated motion strategies and kinematic models to achieve accuracy, repeatability, and throughput targets.
- Produce and maintain electrical schematics, panel layouts, I/O lists, and released drawings/BOMs ready for manufacture.
- Drive reliability and maintainability through structured fault finding, root‑cause analysis, and continuous improvement.
- Lead safety and compliance activities including risk assessment and functional safety design/validation (e.g., ISO 13850, IEC 60204‑1, IEC 60947‑5).
- Lead testing and commissioning from initial power‑up to site installation and customer acceptance, including servo tuning, motion optimisation, I/O validation, and performance verification (accuracy, repeatability, cycle time, and overall machine capability).
This position sits within the product development team and reports to the Product Director. You’ll work cross‑functionally with mechanical, software, production, and commercial teams—translating requirements into robust designs, presenting technical decisions at design reviews, and supporting build/commissioning with clear documentation, verification plans, and structured change control.
You’ll take a pragmatic engineering approach to problem‑solving—balancing performance, cost, manufacturability, safety, and serviceability to deliver repeatable, high‑quality machines.
Skills & experience
- Minimum 2:1 degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant engineering discipline (Mechatronics, Electrical/Electronic, Controls/Automation, Mechanical).
- 5+ years’ experience delivering industrial automation/controls projects (machine build, special purpose machinery, production equipment, or similar).
- Strong fundamentals in control systems, instrumentation, and electrical design (panel design, I/O, protection, grounding, EMC awareness).
- Electrical CAD experience (e.g., AutoCAD Electrical, SolidWorks Electrical, EPLAN, or similar) including released schematics and BOMs.
- Experience defining motion control architectures from concept through commissioning (servo drives, feedback, motion profiles, tuning).
- PLC/HMI development and fault finding (e.g., Siemens, Rockwell/Allen‑Bradley, Beckhoff, or similar) plus industrial comms (e.g., PROFINET/PROFIBUS, EtherNet/IP, Modbus).
- Ability to produce clear technical documentation (specifications, test/commissioning procedures, FAT/SAT evidence, and as‑built packs).
- Experience with electro‑mechanical systems in a manufacturing environment; practical understanding of panel build/assembly is a plus.
- Working knowledge of machinery safety and compliance (e.g., CE/UKCA, ISO/IEC standards; functional safety concepts such as PL/SIL).
- Strong troubleshooting, root‑cause analysis, and continuous improvement mindset.
- Effective communicator who can collaborate across disciplines and manage workload to deliver to schedule.
Key responsibilities
- Own delivery of automation and control system work packages for bespoke machine builds, contributing to estimates, schedules, and technical risk management.
- Define control architecture and produce electrical design outputs (schematics, panel layouts, I/O lists, cable schedules, and BOM) suitable for internal manufacture/assembly.
- Develop and support PLC/HMI/SCADA functionality and diagnostics; integrate with motion control/robotics where applicable.
- Commission, validate, and optimise machines (FAT/SAT), including drive setup, servo tuning, safety validation, and performance proving.
- Work closely with mechanical/software/production teams to resolve integration issues, drive build quality, and maintain configuration control.
- Perform fault diagnosis and root‑cause analysis on new and installed systems; implement corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Maintain technical documentation and as‑built records; provide input into machine manuals and service documentation to ensure alignment with control functionality and safety requirements.
- Manage component selection and obsolescence (alternate parts, requalification, supplier liaison) and support procurement with technical queries and supplier quotations.
- Ensure compliance with applicable standards and legislation, keeping designs aligned with current and emerging requirements.
Please note: This role is only open to candidates with an existing UK right to work. We do not sponsor visas or consider visa‑dependent applications. This is an onsite role.
#J-18808-Ljbffr