Job Description

Salary: Competitive + company bonus + private medical insurance (details to be confirmed)
Location: Darlington
Reporting to: UK Head of Engineering

We’re looking for a practical, solutions-focused Controls Engineer to help keep our manufacturing operations running smoothly and efficiently. You’ll be hands-on with fault finding, automation, and continuous improvement, working with modern control and CNC technologies in a fast-paced production environment.

This is a role where you can make a real impact by improving reliability, reducing downtime, and supporting the development of others—while working alongside skilled engineering and production teams.

What’s in it for you?

• Generous discounts: Up to 80% off our kitchen products

• Flexible holidays: Buy up to five additional days through our holiday purchase scheme

• Health & wellbeing support: 24/7 access to a virtual GP and employee assistance programme

• Lifestyle perks: Cycle to work scheme and discounts with 200+ high-street brands

• Refer a Friend scheme

• A supportive, collaborative environment where your ideas are welcomed and encouraged

What you’ll be doing

As a Controls Engineer, you’ll:

• Diagnose and resolve electrical and electronic faults to minimise downtime

• Maintain, modify, and optimise PLC and HMI systems

• Programme and commission inverters (VSDs) and associated control systems

• Support and improve automation systems, including robotics and CNC woodworking machinery

• Interpret electrical schematics and technical drawings to support fault finding and improvements

• Support the installation, commissioning, and validation of new equipment

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, reliability, and performance

• Work closely with engineering and production teams to deliver robust, sustainable solutions

• Ensure all work meets health, safety, and regulatory standards

• Mentor engineers and apprentices, supporting the development of skills and knowledge across the team

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who combines strong technical capability with a proactive, collaborative mindset. You’ll ideally have:

• Proven experience in electrical and electronic fault finding within a manufacturing environment

• Strong working knowledge of PLC and HMI systems, including programming and diagnostics

• Experience with inverter (VSD) programming and commissioning

• Exposure to industrial automation and robotics

• Experience with CNC woodworking machinery (e.g. HOMAG, BIESSE, IMA, or SCM) is advantageous but not essential

• Ability to read and interpret electrical diagrams and technical documentation

• Experience with Siemens or Allen-Bradley PLC platforms

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Clear communication skills and the confidence to work independently or as part of a team

You’ll be successful in this role by living our values

• Care – building strong relationships, working collaboratively, and supporting others to succeed

• Inspire – communicating clearly, taking ownership, and contributing ideas that move us forward

• Deliver – staying focused on results and continuously improving reliability, performance, and ways of working

About Magnet

At Magnet, we’ve been shaping the heart of the home for over 100 years. From award-winning kitchen designs to UK-based manufacturing, we’re proud to be one of the UK’s leading specialist kitchen providers. Our real strength is our people—their passion and commitment help us deliver exceptional products every day.

Ready to make an impact?

If you’re a Controls Engineer looking for a role where your skills really make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

We’re committed to an inclusive recruitment process. If you need any reasonable adjustments during your application or interview, please let us know—we’re happy to help.