Automation Development Engineer

Müller UK & Ireland; Wigan; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

10% annual bonus

Pension scheme

Employee perks for wellbeing and work‑

Job summary

Müller UK & Ireland is seeking a Lead Automation Engineer to manage automation elements of investment projects and act as SME when engaging with suppliers. You will support project teams, ensure delivery to specifications, and design automation across multiple sites.

You will promote automation standards, align architectures with OT standards, and mentor site engineers while contributing to continuous improvement and cost-of-ownership initiatives.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in automation engineering, ideally within Dairy, FMCG or manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of automation systems, OT architecture, and project lifecycle management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to coach and mentor others, with a collaborative and proactive mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage automation elements of technical investment projects, ensuring alignment with Müller's project management and investment processes.
• Act as the Automation SME (Subject Matter Expert) when engaging with suppliers-validating quotes and supporting scope changes.
• Provide technical support to project teams and ensure delivery to agreed specifications and quality standards.
• Design and deliver both complex and less complex automation projects across Müller sites.
• Promote and maintain Müller's automation standards, ensuring compliance and providing feedback for continuous improvement.
• Ensure automation architectures align with OT standards.
• Support central engineering and site teams in identifying obsolescence risks and developing Capex submissions.
• Deliver on-the-job training and technical coaching to site Automation Support Engineers (ASEs).
• Provide specialist support for site Continuous Improvement (CI) activities and reactive support for automation/MIS issues.
• Design systems with a focus on Lowest Total Cost of Ownership and the unique challenges of FMCG environments.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and understand how your work impacts business performance.
• Collaborate across engineering and other departments to support Müller's OGSM (Objectives, Goals, Strategies, Measures).
• Champion health and safety for yourself and others.

Skills

Automation engineering

OT architecture

Project lifecycle management

Stakeholder engagement

Mentoring

Tools

Rockwell PLC

Siemens PLC

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage automation elements of technical investment projects, ensuring alignment with Müller's project management and investment processes.
• Act as the Automation SME (Subject Matter Expert) when engaging with suppliers-validating quotes and supporting scope changes.
• Provide technical support to project teams and ensure delivery to agreed specifications and quality standards.
• Design and deliver both complex and less complex automation projects across Müller sites.
• Promote and maintain Müller's automation standards, ensuring compliance and providing feedback for continuous improvement.
• Ensure automation architectures align with OT standards.
• Support central engineering and site teams in identifying obsolescence risks and developing Capex submissions.
• Deliver on-the-job training and technical coaching to site Automation Support Engineers (ASEs).
• Provide specialist support for site Continuous Improvement (CI) activities and reactive support for automation/MIS issues.
• Design systems with a focus on Lowest Total Cost of Ownership and the unique challenges of FMCG environments.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and understand how your work impacts business performance.
• Collaborate across engineering and other departments to support Müller's OGSM (Objectives, Goals, Strategies, Measures).
• Champion health and safety for yourself and others.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience in automation engineering, ideally within Dairy, FMCG or manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of automation systems, OT architecture, and project lifecycle management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to coach and mentor others, with a collaborative and proactive mindset.

Requirements

• Familiarity with Rockwell / Siemens PLC.

Why Join Müller?

• At Müller, we don't just make dairy products, we make careers.
• Being part of a business that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Be part of a company that invests in cutting-edge automation and engineering solutions to stay ahead in the FMCG sector.
• We support your development with tailored training, mentoring, and opportunities to progress within a global organisation.
• Your expertise will directly influence the efficiency and sustainability of our operations, helping us deliver high-quality products to millions.
• Work in an environment that values diversity, encourages ideas, and foster a sense of belonging.
• Enjoy a competitive salary, 10% annual bonus, pension scheme, and a range of employee perks designed to support your wellbeing and work-life balance.
• Join a business that's serious about reducing its environmental footprint and driving positive change.

Careers at Müller UK & Ireland JBRP1_UKTJ