Graduate Controls Engineer (PLC Programming)

Plymouth
3 days ago
Create job alert

Graduate Controls Engineer (PLC Programming)

£30,000 - £35,000 + Training + Bonus + Progression + Early Finish Friday

Plymouth, Devon

Are you a Graduate in Mechatronics, Robotics, Electronics or Electrical Engineering looking to kickstart career as a Controls Engineer, for a business that can offer a tailored development plan and ongoing training opportunities to enable your technical development?

Do you want to work amongst a highly skilled team, in clean environment, within a well-established company that can offer you progression into larger projects and long-term career?

On offer is the opportunity to join a growing company who manufacture specialist machinery and work on projects with big name companies such as McLaren, Rolls Royce and JCB. This company are continually investing in their personal through professional development of their employees' career ensuring a great culture and continuous progression.

In this role you can join a highly specialist company that offers a varied project-based role, working to customer orders from the feasibility phase to commissioning. You will be working as part of a team programming PLC's and working with the sales and R&D department to ensure the success of projects.

This role would suit a graduate from a Mechatronics, Robotics, Electronics or Electrical Engineering background looking to kick start their career and become a fully qualified Controls Engineer.

The Role:

PLC programming, writing code etc
Working alongside different departments from the start to finish of a project
Internal training on software
Monday - Thursday (7:30am-4:30pm) Friday (7:30am - 1:30pm)The Person:

Graduate in Robotics, Automation, Control Systems, Mechatronics, Electronics / Electrical Engineering or similar
Understanding of PLC ProgrammingJob Reference: BBBH24297

Graduate, Trainee, Junior, Engineering, Controls, Automation, Electrical, Manufacturing, Control, Ladder, Logic, PLC, SCADA, Systems, Engineer, Mechatronics, Robotics, Siemens, Omron, Electronics

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates. The salary advertised is a guideline for this position. The offered renumeration will be dependent on the extent of your experience, qualifications, and skill set.

Ernest Gordon Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job, you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at our website

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Graduate Electrical / Controls Engineer

Controls Engineer

Graduate Electrical Design Engineer

Project Engineer

Lead Engineer – Drive System Specialist

Graduate Control Systems Engineer

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

How Many Robotics Tools Do You Need to Know to Get a Robotics Job?

If you’re pursuing a career in robotics, it can feel like the list of tools you should learn never ends. One job advert asks for ROS, another mentions Gazebo, another wants experience with Python, Linux, C++, RobotStudio, MATLAB/Simulink, perception stacks, control frameworks, real-time OS, vision libraries — and that’s just scratching the surface. With so many frameworks, languages and platforms, it’s no wonder robotics job seekers feel overwhelmed. But here’s the honest truth most recruiters won’t say explicitly: 👉 They don’t hire you because you know every tool — they hire you because you can apply the right tools to solve real robotics problems reliably and explain your reasoning clearly. Tools matter — but only in service of outcomes. So the real question isn’t how many tools you should know, but which tools you should master and why. For most robotics roles, the answer is significantly fewer — and far more focused — than you might assume. This article breaks down what employers really expect, which tools are core, which are role-specific, and how to focus your learning so you look capable, confident, and ready to contribute from day one.

What Hiring Managers Look for First in Robotics Job Applications (UK Guide)

Robotics is one of the most dynamic, interdisciplinary fields in technology — blending mechanical systems, embedded software, controls, perception (AI/vision), modelling, simulation and systems integration. Hiring managers in this space are highly selective because robotics teams need people who can solve real-world problems under constraints, work across disciplines, and deliver safe, reliable systems. And here’s the reality: hiring managers do not read every word of your CV. Like in many tech domains, they scan quickly — often forming a judgement in the first 10–20 seconds. In robotics, those first signals are especially important because the work is complex and there’s a wide range of candidate backgrounds. This guide unpacks exactly what hiring managers look for first in robotics applications and how to optimise your CV, portfolio and cover letter so you stand out in the UK market.

The Skills Gap in Robotics Jobs: What Universities Aren’t Teaching

Robotics is no longer confined to science fiction or isolated research labs. Today, robots perform critical tasks across manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, agriculture, defence, hospitality and even education. In the UK, businesses are embracing automation to improve productivity, reduce costs and tackle labour shortages. Yet despite strong interest and a growing number of university programmes in robotics, many employers report a persistent problem: graduates are not job-ready for real-world robotics roles. This is not a question of intelligence or dedication. It is a widening skills gap between what universities teach and what employers actually need in robotics jobs. In this article, we’ll explore that gap in depth — what universities do well, where their programmes often fall short, why the disconnect exists, what employers really want, and how you can bridge the divide to build a thriving career in robotics.