Electrical Controls & Automation Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Sep 29, 2026. First seen by Alion on Sep 28, 2026.
Electrical Controls & Automation Engineer
Ashby-de-la-Zouch (Home of Hula Hoops, Space Raiders, Nik Naks and more)
On-site | Monday - Friday | Days (some flexibility required)
Join our snack-loving team
We’re looking for an Electrical Controls & Automation Engineer to join us at KP Snacks. If you’re ready to bring your ideas to the table, grow your skills and be part of a team that values what makes you, you - this could be your next big move.
Who are we?
We’re KP Snacks, part of the Intersnack family. Across more than 30 countries, over 15,000 of us work together to make the snacks people love - from Hula Hoops to McCoy’s. In the UK, we’re a team of around 2,400 colleagues, based across seven sites and our Slough HQ. We’re proud of our close-knit culture, where we speak up, celebrate differences and push boundaries together.
About the role
We’re looking for an experienced Electrical Controls & Automation Engineer to join our Ashby site. This is a hands-on role for someone with a strong electrical, controls and instrumentation background who enjoys solving complex engineering problems and improving equipment reliability.
As a key technical specialist, you'll support the diagnosis and resolution of electrical, controls and automation issues across the site, while helping to develop the capability of our wider Engineering team. You'll work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing and Technical colleagues to improve equipment performance, deliver automation projects and ensure our systems remain safe, reliable and fit for the future.
This role would suit someone who is comfortable using PLC software, electrical schematics and control system diagnostics to identify root causes and drive lasting improvements within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
What’s in it for you?
We believe in rewarding our colleagues and helping them thrive. Here’s a flavour of what we offer:
Competitive annual salary
Annual bonus scheme, with a strong track record of overachievement
Comprehensive healthcare support - including Medicash Health Cash Plan, Private Healthcare, Digital GP, Best Doctors second opinion service and specialist cancer care
KP Pension Plan - contribution matching up to 7% of your salary
25 days holiday, plus the option to buy more
KP4ME - our online platform for benefits, discounts, wellbeing tools and more
What will you be doing?
Provide specialist EC&I support by leading the diagnosis and resolution of complex electrical, controls, instrumentation and automation issues across the site
Lead automation fault finding using PLC software, electrical schematics and control system diagnostics to identify root causes and prevent repeat failures
Improve equipment reliability by identifying opportunities to enhance performance, maintainability and automation standards across manufacturing operations
Deliver automation projects from concept through to commissioning, working closely with colleagues, suppliers, OEMs and contractors
Develop engineering capability through coaching and technical support, helping engineers build their electrical, PLC and automation fault-finding skills
Requirements
We’d love to hear from you if you can bring:
Electrical engineering expertise through an NVQ Level 3, Advanced Apprenticeship or equivalent qualification, alongside strong practical experience in an electrical, controls or automation role
Strong fault-finding capability with proven experience diagnosing electrical, controls, instrumentation and automation issues within a manufacturing or industrial environment
PLC and automation knowledge including Siemens PLCs, with experience using PLC software as a diagnostic tool and Siemens TIA Portal experience being advantageous
Controls and instrumentation experience including industrial control systems, sensors, drives, HMIs, industrial networks and automated manufacturing equipment
Continuous improvement and project experience with a track record of delivering automation improvements, supporting equipment reliability and coaching others to develop technical capability
Our purpose
At KP Snacks, we're passionate about creating happy snacking moments through our great tasting snacks and iconic brands. Every day, millions of people enjoy our products, including Hula Hoops, McCoy's, KP Nuts, Tyrrells, Skips, POM-BEAR and Butterkist, making us one of the UK's leading snack manufacturers.
For decades, we've been delighting consumers by combining well-loved favourites with exciting innovations that reflect changing tastes and expectations. We're equally passionate about our people and committed to creating a workplace where everyone can grow, develop and make a real impact.
As part of the Intersnack Group, one of the world's leading snack manufacturers, we combine global expertise with a shared commitment to creating happy snacking moments every day.
We’re committed to inclusion
We’re building a workplace where everyone belongs. If you don’t tick every box, we’d still love to hear from you - your unique perspective could be just what we need. And if there’s anything we can do to make the process easier for you, just let us know.
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