Controls & Workshop Manager

Controls & Workshop Manager

Location: Bedford

Employment: Full-Time 

Role Overview

Responsible for leading the Controls Engineering, Electrical Build, and Workshop teams, ensuring robotic and automated systems are designed, built, tested, and commissioned safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop Controls, Electrical, PLC, and Workshop teams.
• Provide technical leadership across PLC, HMI/SCADA, robotics, motion control, networking, and machine safety systems.
• Review controls architectures, electrical designs, software, and technical documentation.
• Manage workshop operations, including machine assembly, electrical wiring, integration, testing, and resource allocation.
• Coordinate engineering and workshop activities to meet project deadlines and budgets.
• Support project planning, FAT/SAT, commissioning, installation, and customer acceptance.
• Oversee electrical panel construction, machine wiring, testing, fault finding, and validation.
• Ensure compliance with relevant UKCA/CE, machinery, electrical, and safety standards.
• Drive engineering standardisation, software reuse, workshop efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Manage technical risks, training, performance, and resource requirements.
• Work closely with Mechanical Engineering, Project Management, Procurement, and customers to ensure successful project delivery.

Requirements

• HNC/HND or Degree in Electrical, Controls, Automation, Mechatronics, or a related discipline.
• 8–10+ years' experience in industrial automation, systems integration, or machine building.
• 3–5+ years' experience in a leadership or management role.
• Proven experience delivering robotic and automated machinery projects.
• Strong PLC programming, troubleshooting, and commissioning experience.
• Knowledge of HMI/SCADA, industrial networks, servo/motion control, robotics, and machine safety.
• Experience with platforms such as Siemens, Rockwell, Beckhoff, EPLAN, or AutoCAD Electrical.
• Strong leadership, communication, planning, and problem-solving skills.

Salary: £60,000–£70,000 + potential bonus, pension, car allowance, flexible working, and professional development.

Industry Background: Robotics & Automation, Systems Integration, Special Purpose Machinery, Automotive, Logistics, Food & Beverage, Pharmaceutical, Packaging, and Advanced Manufacturing.