Controls & Robotics Engineer
Controls and Robotics Engineer
Cheltenham/Tewkesbury | Up to £80,000 OTE Depending on Experience
Bespoke Automation | International Projects | Permanent
Can you take an automation project from a blank PLC programme and an unconfigured robot through to a fully commissioned production system?
Are you equally comfortable designing a control architecture, programming industrial robots and solving problems on a customer’s factory floor?
If so, this could be an exceptional next move.
We are recruiting for a successful specialist automation business that designs, builds and installs bespoke control systems and factory automation for customers across the UK and internationally.
Working from an impressive 40,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility near Winchcombe, the company employs around 50 people and delivers complex projects incorporating manufacturing and packaging machinery, robotics, conveyors, control systems and vision inspection.
Following continued growth, they are looking for an experienced Controls and Robotics Engineer to join their close-knit engineering team.
The opportunity
This is not a maintenance role or a position where you will simply modify existing programmes.
Most projects are completely bespoke. You will be expected to programme control and robotic systems from scratch, developing solutions that bring each customer’s automation requirements to life.
Working closely with mechanical, electrical and controls engineers, you will help deliver technically demanding projects across several industries, particularly food and beverage, packaging, plastics and container handling.
You will combine office-based engineering with regular installation, commissioning and support work at customer sites throughout the UK, Europe, USA and Canada.
Your responsibilities
Reporting to the Managing Director, you will:
- Design and programme PLC, HMI, touchscreen, industrial network and SCADA systems from scratch
- Programme and integrate industrial robotic solutions
- Develop control architectures and functional solutions alongside mechanical and electrical design teams
- Take technical ownership of projects from concept and design through build, commissioning and handover
- Integrate standalone systems into larger turnkey automation projects
- Carry out onsite installation, commissioning and testing
- Diagnose faults methodically and resolve technical problems under pressure
- Service, support and improve existing control and robotic systems
- Manage project priorities, technical risks and customer communication
- Deliver training to customers following installation
- Train and mentor colleagues in controls and robotics
- Ensure every project is delivered safely, on time and to an exceptionally high standard
What we are looking for
You must have proven industrial controls and robotics engineering experience that you can demonstrate during the interview process.
Essential experience includes:
- Programming PLCs using Allen-Bradley and/or Siemens platforms
- Programming HMI and touchscreen systems
- Industrial SCADA and network programming
- Programming and integrating industrial robots
- Working with industrial control networks such as EtherNet/IP and PROFINET
- Manufacturing processes and automated machinery
- Onsite installation and commissioning
- Servicing, fault-finding and resolving complex technical issues
- Working directly with customers, suppliers and multidisciplinary engineering teams
Experience with FANUC robots would be particularly valuable, although experience with Nachi, Kawasaki, ABB or similar industrial platforms will also be considered.
Additional experience in any of the following would be beneficial:
- Project management or technical ownership of automation projects
- EPLAN electrical design
- Machine vision systems
- Plastics processing or rigid container handling
- Packaging or manufacturing machinery
- Commissioning and supporting equipment outside the UK
The person
This role will suit an experienced engineer who is technically strong, practical and genuinely enjoys solving difficult problems.
You will need to be:
- Self-motivated, tenacious and able to think on your feet
- Capable of working autonomously with minimal supervision
- Comfortable recognising when additional support is required
- Highly organised and able to manage your time effectively
- Collaborative and able to communicate clearly with colleagues, customers and suppliers
- Flexible and willing to contribute beyond narrow role boundaries
- Professional, trustworthy and confident representing the business at customer sites
- Completely committed to health and safety without taking shortcuts
- MUST be able to WRITE COMPLEX software from SCRATCH for Allen Bradley Studio 5000 or Siemens TIA Portal.
- MUST be able design/ programme/ integrate industrial robotic solutions, such as and ideally FANUC
You must also:
- Be willing to travel and work away from home regularly, approximately 40% of the time
- Be comfortable travelling internationally, including to the USA and Canada
- Be available for occasional weekend work
- Hold a full UK driving licence
- Live within a sensible commuting distance of Cheltenham, Tewkesbury or Winchcombe
- Be legally eligible to work in the UK
Unfortunately, visa sponsorship cannot be offered for this position.
Salary and benefits
The package includes:
- Earnings of up to £80,000 OTE, depending on experience and onsite work
- Generous daily living allowance when travelling
- Good-quality accommodation during UK and international projects
- Additional payment for Saturday site work
- Spot bonuses and awards for outstanding contributions
- Private medical insurance for you, your partner and your children after probation
- Contributory pension scheme after probation
- 21 days’ annual holiday plus statutory holidays
- Additional holiday for long service
- Cycle to Work scheme after probation
- Uniform and PPE
- Excellent learning, development and career-progression opportunities
- Exposure to innovative, complex and ground-breaking automation projects
Working hours
- Monday to Thursday: 8:00am–5:00pm
- Friday: 8:00am–2:00pm
Longer hours will occasionally be required when travelling or commissioning equipment onsite.
A practical controls and robotics capability assessment will form part of the interview process.
If you are an accomplished Controls and Robotics Engineer who wants greater technical ownership, genuinely bespoke projects and the opportunity to work on automation systems around the world, apply now for a confidential discussion.
Location: Cheltenham | Salary: £50000 - £80000 per year | Job type: Permanent | Posted: 17/08/2026
