Job Description

Make breakdowns boring. That's the brief!

Ablebox is a modern corrugated manufacturer with a state-of-the-art corrugator, closed-loop quality control (ESCADA partnership), in-house R&D and our own software stack (Goose & "Ablebot"). We're looking for a Controls & Automation Engineer who thrives on fast, clean fixes and who can build the backbone that keeps production resilient. Who then turns quiet moments into meaningful automation upgrades.

At Ablebox, we're growing fast and investing in the future! We are expanding into our third manufacturing site and investing heavily in modernising controls, resilience, and targeted automation. We're seeking someone to lead fault diagnosis and recovery on live equipment and to deliver planned controls upgrades and automation projects that measurably improve uptime and OEE.

You will standardise our controls environment, maintain a robust asset/backup regime, and partner with production, maintenance, and software to integrate data for quality and traceability.

The impact you will have (and what success looks like):

Rapid recoveries: Diagnose, repair, and document faults on PLC/HMI/drive/safety systems across production machinery, ensuring effective root-cause analysis and preventative actions Zero-surprise resilience: A complete, living Controls Asset Register for PLCs, HMIs, drives, safety relays, I/O, firmware versions, project files, licensing, laptops, cables, adaptors, passwords/permissions (properly governed). When something fails, we have the right software, the right version, and the right connector ready. Obsolescence under control: Planned upgrades for unsupported platforms and comms, migrating to robust, supportable tech with minimal downtime. Automation that pays its way: When the call-outs are quiet, you'll design and deliver targeted automation projects, e.g. palletiser cells, vision-checks, mini closed loops on lines, all to lift OEE, cut handling time, and reduce variability.
The Candidate:

Strong applied controls experience in a fast-moving manufacturing environment with proven rapid fault-finding on live equipment. Proficient with at least one major PLC/HMI stack (e.g., Siemens, Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Schneider, Mitsubishi) plus drives/safety. Comfortable with industrial networks/protocols (e.g., Profinet, Ethernet/IP, Modbus/TCP, and safety buses). You've built and maintained backups/asset registers before and can show how they cut downtime. You design clean panels and software based on well-structured logic, readable HMIs, sensible alarms and good robust diagnostics. Working knowledge of CE/UKCA, machinery safety, and change control. Set engineering standards: wiring labelling, panel layouts, change control, and safe isolation/LOTO that are simple to follow. A practical approach to CE/UKCA, machine safety, and change control. Desirable: experience with robot palletisers, vision systems, recipe control, historian/SCADA links, or digital twins/test rigs.
A bit about Ablebox:

Ablebox has been designing, manufacturing, and delivering innovative packaging solutions since 1989 in Yeovil, expanding to an additional site in Henstridge in 2019. With recent expansion into a third new facility in Sherborne, we are entering another exciting phase of growth. Our mission is to maintain the highest customer service standards while reducing our environmental impact and striving for operational excellence.

As a company, we are deeply invested in sustainability and recent initiatives have successfully reduced our energy consumption by over 25%, and we continue to drive forward with new environmentally focused projects.

If you are an ambitious automations & controls engineer looking to build something from the ground up, make a real impact, and be part of a fast-growing and forward-thinking company, we'd love to hear from you!

Location:

The role will be primarily based from our manufacturing site in Sherborne with the occasional need to work from our Yeovil & Henstridge sites when required.

The package:

Competitive Salary (60,000 - 80,000 pa D.O.E) + Overtime at x1.5 Additional 'Shift Premium' paid up to 150% for working certain times of day Hours are negotiable This is an On-Site and Hands-On role Staff wear provided Company funded social events 4 x per year Pension Birthday as additional paid leave And many more...
Working hours will vary and can be negotiated prior to starting.

How To Apply:

Send a concise CV or short portfolio (projects, platforms, and a brief note on a rapid fix you're proud of) plus a few lines describing an automation you delivered that moved a KPI (OEE/throughput/changeover/scrap).

Email: careers@ablebox.com

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 60,000.00-80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Additional leave Cycle to work scheme On-site parking
Work Location: In person