Exciting Opportunity – Principal Controls Engineer – Up to £70k
Our client is a fast-growing clean-tech start-up revolutionising the shipping industry with wind propulsion systems. With new EU regulations driving adoption and a global retrofit market of over 30,000 ships, this is your chance to join at the very start of their journey.
We’re looking for a hands-on Controls Engineer who thrives in real-world environments – someone who can program, test, diagnose and solve problems in deployed control systems. You don’t need a marine background; the team comes from F1, Aerospace and Dyson. What matters is strong software and automation skills, an ability to apply yourself across challenges, and the drive to grow with the business as it scales worldwide.
What you’ll be doing:
-
Designing, programming and testing control systems software
-
Working with PLCs and automation tools to integrate complex hardware
-
Getting hands-on in the field: 25–30% travel to factories and ship installations worldwide
-
Diagnosing issues, troubleshooting and implementing fixes on live systems
-
Helping shape engineering processes from a blank page as their first Controls Engineer
What we’re looking for:
-
Strong programming background (e.g. PLCs, automation software, C/C++/Python/Matlab/Simulink or similar)
-
Field experience testing and troubleshooting real systems
-
A practical, problem-solving mindset – attitude and adaptability matter most
-
Someone eager to grow alongside the company and influence future direction
What’s on offer:
-
Salary up to £70k (depending on experience)
-
25 days holiday, 5% pension, private health insurance
-
Fully remote role with monthly UK meetups
-
Travel expenses fully covered for site visits worldwide
-
The chance to define a function in a company set for global growth
Interview process:
-
Online meeting with Head of Engineering and Hiring Manager
-
Follow-up (possibly in person) depending on response
-
Final discussion with CEO
This is a rare opportunity to be the first Controls Engineer in a pioneering company, with genuine influence and global impact. If you want to grow your career while helping decarbonise shipping, we want to hear from you.
Apply now to join our client on this exciting journey.