About us

Prefect Controls is a family-owned and ‘prefectly’ formed business that designs and manufactures building services control, management, and monitoring systems, kitchen safety devices and lighting controls.

Founded in 1997, Prefect has carved a specialist niche in the market and in recent years has experienced substantial growth.

Based in Sudbury, Suffolk, we have a national reach serving customers that run multi-occupancy dwellings such as student accommodation and hotels.

Our business

Our focus is on monitoring and saving energy and our products are responsible for cutting energy costs by up to 40%.

We have a large product range comprising heating, lighting and safety devices that have been specifically designed for our market.

Our flagship brands are Irus, Ecostat, and HobSensus.

Ecostat provides the same room heating control as Irus, but is programmed locally using a dedicated infrared handset.

Our brand

Cleverly simple.

A phrase that was coined in 1997, and still holds true today.

In everything we do, we endeavour to achieve maximum impact, effortlessly.

Design

We maximise functionality, and make it intuitive.

Manufacture

We develop complex electronics, that are reliable and robust.

Service

Individual customer requirements are understood, because of our experience.

Value

Our products achieve results, and are cost-effective.

Installation

Technically advanced configurations are quickly and efficiently connected.

Operation

Our products are sophisticated, but are easy to use.

Current vacancies

PRODUCT & COMPLIANCE MANAGER

Job Type: Full time, Permanent

Location: Sudbury, Suffolk (Occasional travel required)

Working Hours: 09:00 – 17:00

Salary: £43,000 – £46,000 per annum

Reports to: Technical Director / Managing Director

About Prefect Controls

Prefect Controls is an innovative UK-based tech company specialising in the design, development and manufacture of intelligent building controls and energy-management systems. Our product portfolio includes advanced control ecosystems like Irus and ecoStat, along with kitchen safety devices and other autonomous control units — all designed to optimise performance, energy use, safety and occupant comfort in multi-occupancy buildings.

Role Overview

As Product & Compliance Manager, you will play a pivotal role in defining and driving the strategy for product quality, regulatory compliance, and governance across our hardware and software product lines. You will ensure Prefect Controls continues to develop market-leading, compliant products that meet customer needs, regulatory requirements and internal quality standards.

This role blends product strategy and lifecycle ownership with compliance leadership, ensuring innovation is delivered in a controlled, safe and compliant way across all markets.

Key Responsibilities

Product Strategy & Lifecycle

• Support the Technical Director in lifecycle of products from concept through launch and iterative improvement
• Collaborate with engineering, R&D, project management and sales to define product requirements
• Review product performance, customer feedback, and market trends to prioritise feature enhancements
• Maintain product documentation, specifications, release notes and version control

Regulatory & Standards Compliance

• Ensure all products comply with relevant UK, EU and international standards applicable to electronic controls, safety devices, communications, electrical and software systems
• Lead certification activities (e.g., CE/UKCA marking, EMC, safety standards) and maintain compliance records or declarations
• Develop, maintain and improve compliance frameworks that support product design, testing and release
• Track regulatory changes and advise leadership on impact to product plans

Risk, Quality & Governance

• Implement robust risk assessment and mitigation processes across hardware and software product portfolios
• Manage ISO accreditations to ensure products meet internal quality processes (e.g., ISO9001 & ISO14001)
• Oversee compliance testing, audit readiness, and corrective actions for internal and external reviews

Training & Documentation

• Create and maintain clear compliance guidance, internal procedures and best practice documentation
• Deliver compliance and product governance training for relevant teams

Person Specification

 Essential Skills & Experience

• Experience in product management and regulatory compliance within a technical/engineering environment
• Strong understanding of product compliance frameworks and certification processes
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• Ability to interpret technical requirements and translate them into actionable compliance and product plans
• Experience working with cross-functional teams in a tech or engineering business

Desirable Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Product Management, or related field
• Professional compliance qualification or relevant certification
• Familiarity with UKCA/CE marking processes and global compliance standards
• Background in hardware/software product environments

Personal Attributes

• Analytical, detail-oriented, and proactive problem solver
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills
• Commercially aware with a focus on user outcomes and regulatory risk
• Comfortable working in a growing, collaborative tech environment

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Opportunity to shape the future of innovative energy-saving and safety tech
• Professional development in a sector leading company
• 20 days holiday + generous Christmas break
• Annual Christmas bonus based on company and personal performance

Support for the role

As part of our tight-knit team the candidate can expect a complete support package with which to conduct their job;

• Knowledge transfer – from senior management – to understand the Prefect offering and be confident advising on best solutions and explaining the purpose/ functionality of products;
• IT support – ensuring communications and information storage/retrieval is efficient and seamless.
• Marketing support – Effective communication materials to convey how our solutions meet customer needs.

PROJECT ENGINEER

Job Type: Full time, Permanent

Location: On site (nationally) and office based (Sudbury, Suffolk)

Working Hours: 09:00 – 17:00 – May vary with travel around the UK

Salary: £30,000 – £35,000 per annum

Reports to: Senior Project Manager & Project Manager

Prefect Controls design clever but simple to use products that help our customers use energy – efficiently.  We have identified a market that has a unique requirement for control devices that limit the energy input to a room in terms of time and temperature, while retaining a comfortable environment. We recognise the urgency with which the climate crisis needs to be addressed and are part of the solution for using less energy. As a result, our business has expanded, and we need to increase our capacity within our project management team, with the appointment of a Project Engineer to work alongside our Project Managers.

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Company car provided – pool car initially then Hybrid/EV after successful probation period
• Flexible working locations
• Complete Support package for role
• Professional development training

Responsibilities and tasks for the role include:

The role requires the successful applicant to take a project from sale confirmation to completion. This will involve site surveys, specification of Prefect products and on-site commissioning of systems. Every project is bespoke and technical issues can arise that need to be resolved. Therefore, an understanding of electrical circuits, loads and configuration of equipment will be necessary.

As part of our tight-knit team the candidate can expect a complete support package with which to conduct their job; Knowledge transfer – from senior management – to understand the Prefect product range and typical issues faced during a project; IT support – ensuring communications and information storage/retrieval is efficient and seamless when working remotely.

Pre-project:

• Survey sites and assess technical requirements and product specification.
• Formulate schedule of works.
• Liaise with customers regarding timescale, schedule and site rules.
• Liaise with logistics to ensure supply to schedule.
• Liaise with installation team.
• Produce Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS).
• Prepare a clear and effective communications plan and ensure active communication of all relevant information to customers and stakeholders.

During project:

• Attend site to commence project.
• Ensure schedule is adhered to.
• Liaise with installation teams and customers to resolve any issues.
• Monitor and put in place controls that ensure the project is delivered within the approved budget, timescale, and profitability forecast.
• Ensure the project meets all objectives for quality and performance to customer satisfaction.
• Ensure data in all project-related tools and repositories are accurate and up-to-date.
• Complete the project, Commission the system and handover complete documentation relating to the installation.

Post-Project:

• Ensure all related documentation is up-to-date and logged correctly.
• Identify new opportunities to expand and renew contracts with the customer.

Working conditions

• Most projects will take place on university campuses or privately owned student accommodation.
• The role requires substantial travelling and overnight stays in cities and towns throughout the UK.
• ‘Supply and commission’ projects required hand on approach to work, including the use of tools to ensure site is handed over as per typical Prefect Controls specification for retro-fit projects.

Person specification for Project Engineer

• Electrical qualifications would be advantageous, but not essential. However, an interest and basic knowledge of electrical/mechanical operations is desirable. 
• Willingness and ability to engage with potential clients demonstrating energy solutions.
• Experience of working in the electrical industry would be advantageous.
• Able to demonstrate understanding of more technical aspects of our systems.
• Have a hands-on, can-do attitude and like nothing better than solving problems.
• Clean full driving licence.
• Able to organise and manage workload effectively.

Support for the role

As part of our tight-knit team the candidate can expect a complete support package with which to conduct their job;

• Knowledge transfer – from senior management – to understand the Prefect offering and be confident advising on best solutions and explaining the purpose/ functionality of products;
• IT support – ensuring communications and information storage/retrieval is efficient and seamless.
• Marketing support – Effective communication materials to convey how our solutions meet customer needs.

PROJECT MANAGER

Job Type: Full time, Permanent

Location: Sudbury, Suffolk (office based) / At properties across the UK (extensive travelling and overnight stays)

Working Hours: 09:00 – 17:00

Salary: £38,000 – £40,000 per annum

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Company car provided – pool car initially then Hybrid/EV after successful probation period
• Complete support package for role
• Professional development training
• 20 days holiday plus generous Christmas break
• Annual performance related bonus
• Comfortable, attractive working environment.

The Role – PROJECT MANAGER:

Prefect Controls design clever but simple to use products that help our customers use energy – efficiently.

We have identified a market that has a unique requirement for control devices that limit the energy input to a room in terms of time and temperature, while retaining a comfortable environment. We recognise the urgency with which the climate crisis needs to be addressed and are part of the solution for using less energy.

As a result, our business has expanded, and we need to increase our capacity by relieving the workload of our Sales, Project Management, and Customer Service teams, with the appointment of a Customer Service and Sales Coordinator.

The role is pivotal in:

• End-to-end project delivery – planning, executing, monitoring, and closing automation/control projects from start to commissioning.
• Coordination across teams – acting as the central link between engineering, procurement, site teams, and clients.
• Scope, schedule, and cost control – defining scope clearly, tracking progress, managing budgets, and preventing scope creep.
• Client communication & satisfaction – translating client requirements into actionable plans and keeping stakeholders informed and confident.
• Risk and issue management – identifying technical, commercial, and site risks early and managing timely avoidance.
• Quality and compliance – ensuring deliverables meet engineering standards, safety processes, and contractual obligations.
• Resource optimisation – allocating people, materials, and time efficiently to maximise productivity and minimise delays.
• Change management – evaluating and managing changes without disrupting timelines or cost commitments.

Responsibilities:

The role requires the successful applicant to take a project from sale confirmation to completion. This will involve site surveys, specification of Prefect products and on-site commissioning of systems. Every project is bespoke and technical issues can arise that need to be resolved. Therefore, an understanding of electrical circuits, loads and configuration of equipment will be necessary.

As part of our tight-knit team the candidate can expect a complete support package with which to conduct their job; Knowledge transfer – from senior management – to understand the Prefect product range and typical issues faced during a project; IT support – ensuring communications and information storage/retrieval is efficient and seamless when working remotely.

Our PROJECT MANAGER will require:

• An interest and basic knowledge of electrical/mechanical operations is desirable. Electrical qualifications would be advantageous, but not essential.
• Willingness and the ability to engage with potential clients.
• Experience of working in the electrical industry (this would be advantageous, but not essential).
• Able to demonstrate understanding of more technical aspects of our systems.
• Have a hands-on, can-do attitude and like nothing better than solving problems.
• Clean full driving licence.
• Able to organise and manage workload effectively.

Pre-project:

• Survey sites and assess technical requirements and product specification.
• Formulate schedule of works.
• Liaise with customers regarding timescale, schedule and site rules.
• Liaise with logistics to ensure supply to schedule.
• Liaise with installation team.
• Produce Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS).
• Prepare a clear and effective communications plan and ensure active communication of all relevant information to customers and stakeholders.

During project:

• Attend site to commence project.
• Ensure schedule is adhered to.
• Liaise with installation teams and customers to resolve any issues.
• Monitor and put in place controls that ensure the project is delivered within the approved budget, timescale, and profitability forecast.
• Ensure the project meets all objectives for quality and performance to customer satisfaction.
• Ensure data in all project-related tools and repositories are accurate and up-to-date.
• Complete the project, Commission the system and handover complete documentation relating to the installation.

Post-Project:

• Ensure all related documentation is up-to-date and logged correctly.
• Identify new opportunities to expand and renew contracts with the customer.

Working conditions

• Most projects will take place on university campuses or privately owned student accommodation.
• The role requires substantial travelling and overnight stays in cities and towns throughout the UK.
• ‘Supply and commission’ projects requires hands on approach to work, including the use of tools to ensure site is handed over as per typical Prefect Controls specification for retro-fit projects.

Support for the role

As part of our tight-knit team the candidate can expect a complete support package with which to conduct their job;

• Knowledge transfer – from senior management – to understand the Prefect offering and be confident advising on best solutions and explaining the purpose/ functionality of products;
• IT support – ensuring communications and information storage/retrieval is efficient and seamless.
• Marketing support – Effective communication materials to convey how our solutions meet customer needs.

Please apply in writing to the address below; email Will Mills, Managing Director, attaching your CV; or use the application form to submit your details.

Prefect Controls Ltd. Unit 2 Church Field Business Park, Church Field Road, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2YF

Application form

Please fill in your details below and upload your CV.