Electrical Controls Engineer

Location: Halewood Transmission Plant
Contract: Permanent
Shift: Day Shift

The Role

As an Electrical Controls Engineer, you will join the core engineering team at Ford Halewood Transmissions, supporting machinery controls, building infrastructure controls and energy supply facilities.

You will manage projects ranging from low-budget improvements through to £1,000,000+, ensuring they are delivered safely, cost-effectively, on time and in line with engineering standards. Working closely with engineering, production, maintenance, management and external partners, you will support an advanced automotive manufacturing environment as Halewood continues its transformation into a world leader in electric vehicle powertrains.

Key Responsibilities

Please note, this list is not exhaustive and responsibilities may vary in line with plant and departmental requirements. The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate flexibility and versatility.

• Act as a role model for Ford+ behaviours and requirements, while promoting safety, Zero Accident culture and a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ethos.
• Take responsibility for the maintenance, development and optimisation of plant electrical, controls and automation infrastructure.
• Support the Factory of the Future strategy through innovative engineering solutions.
• Manage contractors and suppliers, ensuring compliance with health and safety, project controls, quality standards and delivery requirements.
• Support and maintain plant control systems, industrial networks and automation infrastructure.
• Drive continuous improvement in line with business objectives.
• Communicate effectively across the organisation and with external stakeholders, including Trade Union representatives.

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate should ideally hold an electrical bias Engineering degree. Candidates without this qualification but with relevant experience will also be considered.

You should be able to demonstrate:

• Strong project management skills, from specification and vendor selection through to project delivery and implementation.
• Experience within a manufacturing, automotive or similar industrial environment.
• Ability to develop engineering specifications in line with corporate, external and legal standards.
• Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting capability, including Siemens STEP 7 and TIA Portal.
• Understanding of machine control systems, electrical hardware and industrial automation technologies.
• Knowledge of Manufacturing Production Networks, Controls Production Networks, network architecture and machine integration with internal and external systems.
• Experience supporting hardware discussions and agreements with OEMs during machine acceptance.
• Understanding of Industrial Control System cybersecurity requirements and compliance standards.
• Ability to review, verify and approve Control Change Requests in line with change management procedures.
• Experience managing machine backup systems, software deployment, device management and licensing for shop-floor PCs and field devices.
• Ability to create, review and approve electrical schematics and PLC software modifications using AutoCAD Electrical and EPLAN.
• Knowledge of utility monitoring, Building Management Systems and reporting systems.
• Experience with High Voltage and Low Voltage electrical distribution systems.
• Machine sign-off experience, including pre-acceptance and final acceptance audits at suppliers and on-site installations.
• Understanding of machinery safety requirements, CE and UKCA marking, British Standards, European Standards and relevant industrial regulations.