Controls Systems & Project Engineer

Controls Systems & Project Engineer

At Proper Snacks, we're passionate about creating innovative, healthy snacks with bold flavours and sustainable practices. Based in Nuneaton, our production site is home to a fast paced, high spec manufacturing environment where teamwork, innovation, and quality are at the heart of everything we do.

The Person

An experienced and forward thinking Controls Systems & Project Engineer who thrives in a fast paced manufacturing environment.

You will be a subject matter expert in automation and control systems, with the ability to diagnose complex issues, drive continuous improvement, and lead technical projects. You're comfortable working across both hands on engineering support and strategic project delivery, influencing stakeholders and driving standards across site.

The Role

As a Controls Systems & Project Engineer, you will play a critical role in maintaining, improving, and future proofing our automation and control systems across site. You will lead on control system reliability, optimisation, and development, while also managing and delivering engineering projects that improve performance, safety, and efficiency. This role bridges operational support and capital delivery, ensuring our systems are robust, compliant, and scalable for future growth.

Responsibilities

• Act as the site subject matter expert for control systems and automation
• Provide advanced fault finding and technical support to minimise downtime and improve reliability
• Maintain, modify, and optimise PLC/HMI/SCADA systems (Siemens, Omron, Allen Bradley)
• Develop and implement preventative and predictive maintenance strategies for automation systems
• Lead control system upgrades, obsolescence management, and standardisation across site
• Own and maintain software backups, version control, and documentation
• Support and improve data capture, system diagnostics, and performance monitoring
• Ensure all systems comply with relevant safety standards and functional safety requirements
• Lead and deliver engineering projects from concept through to completion (scope, cost, timeline) - including general engineering improvement projects
• Manage contractors and system integrators, ensuring safe and compliant delivery
• Collaborate with operations and engineering teams to drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Support development of site automation strategy and digitalisation roadmap
• Drive high standards of health & safety, compliance, and engineering governance

Requirements Essential

• Strong experience in industrial automation within a manufacturing environment
• Proven expertise in PLC programming and fault finding (Siemens, Omron, Allen Bradley)
• Experience with SCADA systems and HMI development
• Proven experience delivering engineering projects from concept to completion
• Ability to manage project scope, budget, timelines, and risks effectively
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols (Profinet, Ethernet/IP, Modbus)
• Experience delivering engineering or automation projects
• Strong problem solving, analytical, and structured approach
• Ability to influence, communicate, and work cross functionally
• Electrically competent with understanding of BS7671 / industrial electrical systems

Desirable

• Experience with functional safety standards (ISO 13849, IEC 61508, IEC 62061)
• Knowledge of robotics, motion control, or advanced automation
• Experience in food manufacturing or FMCG environment
• Familiarity with data systems, IIoT, or digital manufacturing tools
• IOSH / NEBOSH or equivalent Health & Safety qualification

LDN - Drummond Street - London - NW1 3HP
NUN - Townsend Dr - Nuneaton - CV11 6TJ

Our Approach

PROPER and Eat Real is an equal opportunities employer and we do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability, or age. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to accommodate you to participate fully in the recruitment or interview process.