Junior Electrical Controls Engineer

Bedford

3 months ago

Applications closed

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Senior Controls Engineer

Senior Systems Engineer

Junior Electrical Design Engineer (Control Panels)

Electrical Design Engineer

Senior Control Systems Engineer

Senior Electrical Design Engineer

Junior Electrical Controls Engineer

£35,000 - £45,000 + International Travel + Training + Progression

Bedford

Are you a Junior Electrical Controls Engineer with an interest in industrial automation who wants full training, full project life-cycle involvement, and the chance to work on high-quality special-purpose machinery with a long-established manufacturer?

This company designs and builds advanced converting machinery for customers across the UK, Europe and the USA. With 4-9 month project cycles, you'll quickly see the results of your work. As they continue to grow, they are looking for a Junior Controls Engineer who wants to learn software development, commissioning and machine control.

In this hands-on role, you'll be trained to take part in the full project life cycle, from electrical design and software programming to testing and commissioning. You'll work with PLCs, HMIs and drive systems, with support from an experienced engineering team. Some international travel (mainly Europe and the USA) will be required once you are fully trained.

This role is perfect for a junior Electrical Controls engineer who wants strong training, career progression and the chance to work on interesting, technical machinery.

The Role:

Assist in designing electrical circuits and control systems
Learn to program PLCs, HMIs and drive systems
Support software development and machine testing
Take part in commissioning and customer acceptance (with training)
Occasional international travel for commissioning (Europe & USA)
Use nanoCad for simple schematics (training provided)

The Person:
Junior Electrical Controls Engineer or similar engineering background
Fluent in at least on PLC language
Commutable to Bedford

Reference: BBBH22840A

Keywords: Junior Controls Engineer, PLC Training, Electrical Engineering, Automation, Special Purpose Machinery, Commissioning, Software Development, Industrial Automation, Bedford, Electrical Design, Junior Electrical Engineer, Machine Build, nanoCad, Europe, USA

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

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

Industry Insights

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

Feb 12, 2026

Careers

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.

Feb 3, 2026

Jobs

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.

Jan 24, 2026

Education

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.