Automation & Controls Engineer -

Hunter Selection; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

10% Bonus

Early Finish Friday

Matched Pension

Benefits

Job summary

Plymouth, Devon – easily commutable from Ivybridge, Saltash, Tavistock, Newton Abbot, Torquay, Exeter, Paignton, Liskeard and surrounding areas. An established and growing manufacturer is investing in its Plymouth operation, seeking an Automation & Controls Engineer to lead automation initiatives and improve overall equipment effectiveness.

This standalone specialist role involves fault finding, project delivery from concept to commissioning, and collaboration with suppliers.

Qualifications

• Strong PLC programming and fault-finding experience.
• Experience with Allen Bradley, Omron and/or Siemens control systems.
• Delivery of automation projects within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience of process validation and structured change control procedures.
• Strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proactive approach with a passion for continuous improvement and innovation.

Responsibilities

• Fault find, maintain and improve existing PLC and control systems.
• Support production by providing rapid response to automation and controls issues.
• Maintain software backups, system specifications and version control documentation.
• Lead automation projects from concept, design and specification through to commissioning and validation.
• Work closely with suppliers and contractors, including FAT, SAT and project delivery activities.
• Develop connectivity between machinery, manufacturing systems and business systems to improve data capture and traceability.
• Support software and process validation activities in line with quality and regulatory requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement projects focused on OEE, waste reduction and manufacturing performance.
• Identify automation risks, obsolescence issues and equipment upgrade opportunities.
• Provide technical guidance and support to colleagues across the business.

Skills

PLC programming

Fault finding

Continuous improvement

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

HNC/HND or Degree in Electrical/Controls/Automation

Tools

Allen Bradley

Omron

Siemens control systems

Job description

Plymouth , Devon - easily commutable from Ivybridge, Saltash, Tavistock, Newton Abbot, Torquay, Exeter, Paignton, Liskeard and surrounding areas.

£50,000 - £60,000 + 10% Bonus + Early Friday Finish + Matched Pension + Benefits

An established and growing manufacturer is investing heavily in its Plymouth operation following a significant increase in production demand. With further expansion planned, the business is looking to strengthen its engineering capability through the appointment of an Automation & Controls Engineer.

This is a rare opportunity to join a site that is actively investing in automation, equipment upgrades, and process improvement projects. Working in a standalone specialist role, you will identify opportunities for automation, lead projects from concept through to implementation, and play a key role in improving efficiency, output, and overall equipment effectiveness across the site.

The Role

• Fault find, maintain and improve existing PLC and control systems
• Support production by providing rapid response to automation and controls issues
• Maintain software backups, system specifications and version control documentation
• Lead automation projects from concept, design and specification through to commissioning and validation
• Work closely with suppliers and contractors, including FAT, SAT and project delivery activities
• Develop connectivity between machinery, manufacturing systems and business systems to improve data capture and traceability
• Support software and process validation activities in line with quality and regulatory requirements
• Drive continuous improvement projects focused on OEE, waste reduction and manufacturing performance
• Identify automation risks, obsolescence issues and equipment upgrade opportunities
• Provide technical guidance and support to colleagues across the business

The Candidate

• HNC/HND or Degree qualified in Electrical, Controls, Automation or a related engineering discipline
• Strong PLC programming and fault-finding experience
• Experience with Allen Bradley, Omron and/or Siemens control systems
• Previous delivery of automation or controls projects within a manufacturing environment
• Experience of process validation and structured change control procedures
• Strong project management and stakeholder engagement skills
• Proactive approach with a passion for continuous improvement and innovation

Desirable

• Experience within a regulated manufacturing environment such as medical devices, food, aerospace or similar
• Knowledge of SCADA, MES or ERP integration
• Experience with Food / FMCG / Plastics / Automotive / Process manufacturing environments

Benefits

• Salary - £60,000
• 10% Annual Bonus
• 25 Days Holiday + Bank Holidays
• Early Finish Every Friday
• 4% Matched Pension
• Life Assurance
• Retail Discount Scheme
• Genuine opportunity to shape the site's automation strategy and grow the role as investment continues

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior Automation Engineer, Controls Engineer, PLC Engineer, Systems Engineer or Automation Project Engineer looking for a highly autonomous position where you can drive meaningful change and deliver long-term improvements across a growing manufacturing operation.

Code: INDENM

No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010.

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