Controls Project Engineer

Reports to: Project Manager (Engineering)

Location: London – Heathrow

Contract: Permanent

Introduction to role

Vanderlande is a global leader in logistics process automation across the airports, parcel, and warehouse sectors. The UK& Ireland Airports Engineering department forms part of our worldwide engineering community of more than 1,000 colleagues across multiple technical disciplines

As a Controls Project Engineer, you’ll play a key role in shaping, developing and commissioning control system solutions across a diverse range of material handling projects used by customers around the world. You will work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment where diverse perspectives are valued and where you are supported to grow your technical and professional capabilities.

We are looking for people who enjoy solving engineering problems, working collaboratively, and developing their skills over time. If you are excited about this role but don’t meet every requirement listed, we still encourage you to apply — we value potential, learning mindset, and diverse perspectives.

Role Responsibilities

In this role, you will contribute to the design, implementation, and delivery of low‑level control (LLC) systems, working closely with multidisciplinary project teams. You will support automation projects with the design, implementation and delivery of low‑level control (LLC) systems, working closely with multidisciplinary project teams. You’ll work in a structured engineering environment, while also contributing ideas and improvements as part of a supportive team.

Your responsibilities and activities will be:

• Support and promoting a safety‑first culture, ensuring health and safety considerations are embedded into designs from the outset
• Contribute to risk assessments and safety-related engineering activities to ensure compliance with applicable standards and project requirements
• Interpret system requirements, specifications and design documentation to support the development of compliant control system solutions
• Developing, configuring and integrating control software in line with Vanderlande standards and project needs
• Support commissioning activities including pre-commissioning, functional testing, troubleshooting, performance verification and system optimisation to ensure systems meet operational and customer requirements
• Support the integration of low-level controls with SCADA systems, third-party equipment and adjacent system areas, ensuring reliable end-to-end operation
• Assist in the preparation and execution of validation strategies, test plans and FAT/SAT activities, including module, interface and integration testing, while contributing to documentation and quality assurance
• Identifying technical risks early and working proactively with the project team to resolve them
• Ensuring control software designs comply with applicable safety standards and regulations to ensure safety, quality and compliance
• Continuously developing your skills and contributing to improvements in processes and ways of working

Role Qualification and Skills

We value engineers who bring curiosity, care and a collaborative mindset, along with technical capability. You’ll be supported by experienced colleagues and clear processes, while being encouraged to share ideas and grow your confidence. You may be a great fit if you:

• Have a degree or equivalent experience in Engineering, Automation, or a related discipline
• Experience in control systems, PLC programming or industrial automation
• Familiarity with control platforms such as Siemens S7, Allen‑Bradley or similar
• Exposure to SCADA systems, testing strategies or commissioning activities
• Knowledge of design standards and safety requirements (experience with the Machinery Directive is beneficial but not essential)
• An interest in working within multidisciplinary engineering environments (mechanical, electrical, software, safety)
• A structured approach to problem‑solving, with attention to detail and quality
• The ability to communicate clearly and work effectively with others
• An openness to learning, feedback, and continuous improvement

What we offer

• 28 days annual leave (excluding public holidays)
• Bupa Medical Cover
• YuLife – Wellbeing membership with fast access to GP appointments, promotion of health and wellbeing along with daily quests to gain Yucoins that can be swapped for shopping vouchers
• A challenging work environment with lots of opportunities of career progression.
• Cycle to work scheme
• Yellow Nest is a salary exchange scheme that reduces childcare costs for parents and employers
• Pension with Aviva
• Access to Achievers an award-winning recognition platform that inspires to recognise your coworkers Where points are awarded that can be exchanged for a range of goods and discounts.

Diversity & Inclusion

Vanderlande is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regards to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age marital status or disability status. If you feel there is a barrier that potentially prevents you from applying, we are always happy to discuss or explore, any reasonable adjustments can be made to support your application.