Principal Control Systems Engineer

Permanent
Engineering
Senior
PLC, Scada, HMI, System Design, Electrical Controls, Allen Bradley, Siemens
South London, London
London
£62000 - £75000 per annum + Bonus Scheme, Healthcare, Hybrid Working

Are you an experienced engineer ready to lead the development of complex control systems within a secure and highly regulated defence environment? Our client, a key player in the UK defence sector, is seeking a Principal Control Systems Engineer with extensive Siemens PLC and SCADA expertise to join their specialist team.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Capture, interpret, and develop complex customer requirements.
  • Lead the design and testing of Siemens-based PLC control systems (S7-300/400).
  • Develop software using block diagrams, flow charts, or pseudo-code.
  • Produce and review high-quality technical documentation.
  • Manage SCADA/PLC interfacing and industrial communications (e.g., Profibus, Profinet, ModBus, TCP/IP).
  • Support system integration and commissioning activities.
  • Provide technical leadership to junior engineers and project teams.
  • Contribute to project planning, risk management, and customer liaison.
  • Assist with proposal development and contract changes.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

  • Minimum 5 years of experience in a PLC engineering environment, ideally in a lead or senior capacity.
  • Deep knowledge of Siemens Step 7 Classic and associated tools.
  • Experience with fault-tolerant and safety-integrated control systems.
  • Strong understanding of industrial protocols and system integration.
  • Proven ability to work across the full software lifecycle.
  • HND, HNC, or Degree in Electrical/Electronic, Control & Instrumentation, or Systems Engineering.
  • Background in Defence, Maritime, Aerospace, or other regulated sectors (e.g., Oil & Gas, Pharma, Petrochem).

Benefits:

  • Competitive salary: £62,000 - £75,000, depending on experience.
  • Flexible and hybrid working options, including compressed working weeks (e.g., every other Friday off).
  • Private healthcare.
  • Career development, professional training, and mentoring opportunities.
  • Performance-based bonus scheme.
  • Relocation support may be available for eligible candidates.

Please note: Due to the nature of this role, UK citizenship is required. Applicants must be eligible to obtain and maintain UK Security Check (SC) clearance.

Similar Jobs

£50000 - £55000 per annum + + company vehicle
Nottinghamshire
An established engineering and infrastructure business is seeking an Operational Health & Safety Manager to lead health, safety, and compliance across both office and UK-wide project sites. This role is particularly well suited to individuals who have transitioned from a site or project management background into Health & Safety, bringing strong operational understanding alongside HSE expertise.
£16 - £18 per hour + Career Progression
Norfolk
We are recruiting an experienced CNC Setter/Operator (Turning) to join a global engineering company based in Thetford. This role is to support our weekend day shift, Thursday to Sunday (11.5-hour shifts), producing high-quality components to specification and working independently to keep production running smoothly.
£18 - £20 per hour + Career progression
Norfolk
We are currently recruiting for a skilled CNC Setter/Operator (Turning) to join a global engineering company based in Thetford. This is a permanent night shift role, working Monday to Thursday, 4:00pm - 4:00am (46 hours). You'll be setting and operating CNC turning centres to produce high-quality components, working independently to keep production running smoothly and efficiently.
£65000 - £85000 per annum
Cambridgeshire
Job Title: FPGA & DSP Engineer Location: Cambridge (hybrid working available) Salary: £65,000 - £85,000 Eligibility: Must be a UK Citizen due to project requirements
£55000 - £65000 per annum
London
Senior Radar Analyst Location: Enfield, UK (Onsite) Salary: Up to £65,000 per annum ** Candidates must be eligible for security clearance ** About the Role We're looking for a Senior Radar Analyst to join an advanced R&D team working at the forefront of radar technology. This is a hands-on, technically challenging role where you'll contribute to the analysis, design, and development of both existing and next-generation radar systems. You'll be involved across the full developme
£55 - £80 per hour
Essex
We are looking for an experienced Control Systems Engineer to join our client in Essex. This contract role is a 12-month term and is outside IR35. This role is fully on-site, 5 days a week.
£60000 - £75000 per annum
Cambridgeshire
Job Title: Lead Embedded Software Engineer Location: Cambridge, UK Salary: £60,000 - £75,000 Job Requisition ID: JR101156
US$150000 - US$200000 per annum
California
SF based, AI Researcher, LLM, VLM, Agentic Orchestration
£40000 - £45000 per annum
Oxfordshire
5-Axis CNC Miller Location: Abingdon, Oxfordshire Salary: Up to £45,000 per annum About the Company A leading precision engineering business operating at the forefront of advanced manufacturing, supporting high-spec industries including aerospace, medical, nuclear, semiconductor and scientific sectors. The work is focused on low-volume, high-complexity components, manufactured to exceptionally tight tolerances within a modern, well-equipped facility.
Negotiable
Oxfordshire
Engineering Commercial Manager Abingdon Salary DOE We are recruiting for an Engineering Commercial Manager to join a leading precision engineering company specialising in low-volume, highly complex components and assemblies. This is a small, passionate, and highly dedicated team, committed to delivering exceptional standards on technically demanding projects for a portfolio of prestigious clients. This role requires a deep technical understanding of precision engineering environments. Candi
£70000 - £75000 per annum + Compressed Hours, Enhanced Pension
Norfolk
We are looking for a Production and Engineering Manager to lead a skilled team in a high-reliability aerospace and defence environment, focusing on electromechanical products. This is a hands-on leadership role where you will drive process improvements, operational efficiency, and innovation across the production floor.
£70 - £85 per hour
Cambridgeshire
Electronics Engineer - Contract Cambridge (Onsite) Outside IR35 Up to £85 per hour