Controls Engineer

Controls Engineer
Salary: £42,000
Location: Clevedon, Somerset

My client is a leading supplier of integrated solutions for the manufacture of microelectronic devices, including silicon semiconductors, compound semiconductors and flat panel displays. Partnering with fabs, foundries and process tool manufacturers, my client provides vacuum equipment and technology packages that are supported by best-in-class operations and maintenance services.

My client is the world’s leading supplier of technology to abate toxic and global warming gases produced during the manufacture of microelectronic devices. It is located at a purpose-built manufacturing facility in Clevedon just south of Bristol. The 5.4 acre facility comprises a modern factory with flexible production lines, assembly feed cells, just in time manufacturing and the largest specialist exhaust gas management research and design centre in the world.

The business is highly innovative; customer focused and has grown rapidly over recent years. It offers all the advantages of a small pioneering niche company but backed up by the security and professionalism of a global company.

My client currently has a vacancy for an engineer within the software team, based at the Clevedon site in North Somerset. As a Controls Engineer you will work as part of a multi-disciplined team developing PLC-based control systems for exhaust gas management products.

You will develop the process control software for abatement systems, and therefore must be proficient in PLC programming. The software architecture used is increasingly object oriented, and therefore experience of advanced architectures would be an advantage.

Key activities will include:

– Supporting the electrical and controls design activity
– Developing functional specifications utilising a combination of methods including UML
– PLC coding using ladder logic, structured text and function blocks
– HMI design and configuration using VB.net or C#
– Software documentation and release management
– Production of detailed test plans
– Support of product in factory test and on customer sites

You will have the ability to work with colleagues and customers at all levels and communicate effectively in spoken and written English.

A rigorous and structured approach to hardware and software design is required, utilising appropriate methods and following relevant European and international standards.

In addition to PLC expertise, a demonstrated aptitude for software design is essential. Specific experience of Microsoft Visual Studio (VB.net or C#) would be an advantage.

It is essential that you are a team player, able to work closely with fellow engineers and colleagues from around the world. My clients business is global, and you must therefore be able to travel for occasional short-duration international assignments.

You will have a minimum qualification of HND or equivalent in electronics, computer science or a related discipline and have at least three years’ experience working in a similar environment. This experience will preferably have been gained in the semiconductor equipment, special purpose equipment or process industries.

My client offers a competitive salary, bonus scheme, and a contributory pension.