Automation Control Engineer

Advanced Engineering; Northampton; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Full-time, permanent

Mon-Fri, 40 hours

Impactful projects

Modern manufacturing technologies

Supportive environment

Career progression

Job summary

Auxo Engineering are recruiting for an experienced Automation Controls Engineer to join our client's Northampton manufacturing operation. The role focuses on developing and maintaining safe, reliable and efficient packaging processes, owning automation projects and improving equipment performance.

You will troubleshoot complex control issues, program PLCs (Siemens, Mitsubishi, Allen-Bradley or Omron), optimise OEE and collaborate with production, maintenance and quality teams to deliver

Qualifications

• Experience with PLC fault-finding and programming in industrial environments.
• Knowledge of industrial control systems and electrical schematics.
• Experience with AC/DC motors, drives, servos and three-phase power systems.
• Strong understanding of machinery safety procedures and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Act as the site's technical expert for PLC and automation control systems.
• Lead the design, programming, testing and commissioning of automation projects.
• Diagnose and resolve electrical and control system faults to minimise downtime.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation and ensure control system standards are followed.
• Support development and improvement of existing automated manufacturing equipment.

Skills

PLC programming

Fault-finding

Industrial controls

Electrical power systems

Machinery safety

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Degree or HNC/HND

Apprenticeship

Tools

Siemens PLC

Mitsubishi PLC

Allen-Bradley

Omron

Job description

Automation Controls Engineer

Location: Northampton

Salary: £55,000 per annum

Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week

Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent

About the Opportunity

Auxo Engineering are recruiting for an experienced Automation Controls Engineer to join our client's manufacturing operation based in Northampton.

This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer with a passion for automation, controls and continuous improvement to play a key role in developing and maintaining safe, reliable and efficient manufacturing processes within a fast‑paced packaging environment.

As the site's technical specialist for automation and control systems, you will take ownership of automation projects, improve equipment performance, troubleshoot complex control system issues and introduce new technologies to enhance operational efficiency.

Working closely with production, maintenance and wider engineering teams, you will help drive improvements across the site, reduce downtime and ensure equipment operates to the highest standards of safety and reliability.

If you're an engineer who enjoys getting hands‑on, solving problems and making a real difference to manufacturing performance, this could be an excellent next step in your career.

Key Responsibilities

Safety & Compliance

• Champion a positive health and safety culture across the site.
• Ensure automation and control systems operate safely and comply with relevant standards and procedures.
• Support machinery safety systems, electrical safety procedures, including LOTOTO, and Permit to Work processes.
• Identify and minimise control system risks, single points of failure and obsolete equipment.
• Ensure all automation projects meet required safety and compliance standards.

Automation & Controls

• Act as the site's technical expert for PLC and automation control systems.
• Lead the design, programming, testing and commissioning of automation projects.
• Diagnose and resolve electrical and control system faults to minimise production downtime.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation and ensure control system standards are followed.
• Support the development and improvement of existing automated manufacturing equipment.

Continuous Improvement

• Drive improvements in equipment reliability, uptime and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Identify opportunities to modernise existing manufacturing equipment and introduce new technologies.
• Work closely with production, maintenance, quality and health and safety teams to optimise plant performance.
• Lead and support engineering projects that improve efficiency, reliability and productivity.
• Proactively identify opportunities to reduce downtime and improve manufacturing processes.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a technically capable and proactive engineer with strong automation and controls experience.

Ideally, you will have:

• Strong PLC programming and fault‑finding experience, including ladder logic.
• Good knowledge of industrial control systems, electrical schematics and automation technologies.
• Experience working with AC/DC motors, drives, servos and three‑phase power systems.
• A strong understanding of machinery safety and electrical safety procedures.
• Experience designing, developing or commissioning automation projects.
• A proactive approach to problem‑solving and continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across departments.

Industry Experience

Applications are welcomed from engineers with experience across a range of manufacturing environments, including:

• Packaging
• FMCG
• Food & Beverage
• Automotive
• Pharmaceutical
• Process and automated manufacturing

Experience with PLC platforms such as Siemens, Mitsubishi, Allen‑Bradley or Omron would be highly advantageous.

You may hold a degree, HNC/HND, apprenticeship qualification or have developed your technical expertise through hands‑on industry experience.

We're interested in your practical skills, technical knowledge and ability to make a difference.

What's On Offer?

• Competitive salary of £55,000 per annum.
• Full‑time, permanent position.
• Monday to Friday working pattern.
• 40 hours per week.
• The opportunity to make a real impact within an established manufacturing operation.
• Ownership of meaningful automation and continuous improvement projects.
• Exposure to modern manufacturing technologies.
• A supportive and inclusive working environment where your ideas are valued.
• The opportunity to develop your skills and progress your engineering career.