Sr. Controls Engineer

FORTNA partners with the world’s leading brands to transform omnichannel and parcel distribution operations. Known world-wide for enabling companies to keep pace with digital disruption and growth objectives, we design and deliver solutions, powered by intelligent software, to optimize fast, accurate and cost-effective order fulfillment and last mile delivery. Our people, innovative approach and proprietary algorithms and tools ensure optimal operations design and material and information flow. We deliver exceptional value every day to our customers with comprehensive services and products including network strategy, distribution center operational design and implementation, material handling automated equipment, robotics and a comprehensive suite of lifecycle services. At FORTNA, we believe in fostering a workplace that isn't just a job but a movement – a collective effort to redefine success and transform challenges into opportunities. "Join the Movement" encapsulates our commitment to a workplace culture that thrives on collaboration, celebrates diversity, and empowers every individual to contribute to something greater than themselves. Our Team. Our Passion. Our Approach. JOB SUMMARY: The Sr. Controls Engineer will be responsible for driving design, functionality and testing of upper-level automated sortation systems. The candidate must lead and assist in the design and programming of new projects. Additionally, the candidate must demonstrate skillsets for diagnosing and solving controls related issues involving I/O, hardware (Controller setup, VFDs, Comms devices) and software (PLC and HMI) feedback along with best practices electrical troubleshooting techniques. This position requires providing leadership, guidance and mentoring to junior level engineers and contractors. The Sr. Controls Engineer is responsible for supporting other members of the FORTNA controls group to ensure accurate documentation, proper system functionality, adherence to approved design and customer specifications. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: • Write and implement modular and reuseable PLC code and assist in all on-site controls engineering tasks. • Design and develop “Human Machine Interface” (HMI) using commercially available products such as Ignition. • Implement PLC and HMI programs to satisfy current design and customer specifications. • Work with FORTNA employees, customer representatives and third-party vendors to ensure all aspects of a project are considered during both the design and execution phases • Review electrical designs and provide accurate as-built drawings for approval. • Individually or as a team, commission and troubleshoot complex automated systems, provide site engineering support, and complete system acceptance testing. • Provide support of system commissioning efforts as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or comparable. • 4-7 years of experience within an industrial controls environment which includes: • PLC programming (Siemens TIA Portal, Beckhoff TwinCAT, LD, ST, SCL) • HMI Programming (Ignition SCADA, Siemens Unified Comfort) • Input and output device design, implementation, and troubleshooting. • Industrial communication networks (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus, etc.) • Low voltage electrical design and drawing understanding and creation. • Equivalent work experience will also be considered as a substitute for education. • Experience with VFDs preferred (networked a plus). • Experience with Microsoft 365 - Office Apps.

• Highlight your experience with PLC programming (Siemens S7, Allen‑Bradley RSLogix) and industrial networking (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, OPC UA) in your résumé and cover letter; include a brief case study showing how you reduced cycle time or downtime by at least 10 % in a previous remote‑controlled distribution center project.
• Build a short video demo (2‑3 min) of a controls system you designed for automated material handling or robotics, hosted on a private Vimeo link; embed the link in your application and be ready to walk interviewers through the architecture, safety PLCs, and remote diagnostics you implemented.
• Prepare a “remote‑first” interview story that illustrates how you coordinated cross‑functional teams (software, mechanical, logistics) across time zones using tools like Azure DevOps, GitLab CI, and Teams, emphasizing clear documentation, version‑controlled PLC code, and measurable KPI improvements.
• Anticipate technical questions on motion control algorithms, safety standards (ISO 13849, IEC 62061) and integration with Fortna’s proprietary fulfillment software; rehearse concise explanations that tie each concept to real‑world outcomes such as increased picker throughput or reduced error rates.
• Research current UK salary benchmarks for senior controls engineers in logistics automation (≈ £85‑£105 k base plus remote‑work allowance); when negotiating, reference your proven ROI figures and request a performance‑linked bonus tied to project milestones (e.g., on‑time delivery of a new robotics cell).