Automation Engineer

Home Bargains; Amesbury; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 28–33 days

Contributable pension

Store discount 10%

Flexible pay platform

UK-wide discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Health cash plans

Cancer cover

Job summary

Home Bargains is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to support and optimise automated handling systems in the Amesbury Distribution Centre. You will fix faults, perform preventative maintenance, and drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced, automated setting.

You will work within the engineering shift team, respond to faults, and provide escalation support in the absence of the Shift Manager, contributing to safety and high equipment availability.

Qualifications

• Recognised Engineering Apprenticeship or equivalent formal training in electrical or mechanical engineering.
• Level 3 qualification such as NVQ, BTEC, or City & Guilds in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.
• Proven experience in a similar Engineering role within an automated, FMCG, or high-throughput environment.
• Hands-on fault finding and repair experience in both electrical and mechanical systems.
• Strong understanding of automated handling systems such as conveyors or automated cranes.
• Working knowledge of Siemens PLCs, SCADA systems, and industrial communication networks (e.g., Profibus, AS-i).
• Ability to interpret technical documentation, including electrical/mechanical drawings and maintenance procedures.

Responsibilities

• Maintenance: Carry out regular upkeep of automation and material handling systems to minimise downtime and maximise operational efficiency.
• Fault response: Respond quickly to system breakdowns, performing accurate diagnosis and timely resolution to keep operations running.
• Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM): Complete scheduled maintenance activities to the required standards and within agreed timescales.
• System monitoring: Track and analyse system performance, highlighting recurring faults to support the development of permanent solutions.
• CMMS management: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all maintenance activities within the Computerised Maintenance Management System.
• Continuous improvement: Identify and escalate engineering improvements and help reduce the volume of reactive maintenance over time.
• Collaboration: Work closely with Shift Managers, fellow Engineers, and third-party contractors to ensure consistent service levels and teamwork.
• Health & Safety compliance: Follow all safety procedures, report hazards or unsafe behaviours, and contribute to a safe, well-maintained working environment.
• Technical troubleshooting: Use SCADA, PLCs, and engineering schematics to investigate faults and support efficient problem-solving.

Skills

Maintenance

Fault diagnosis

PPM

SCADA/PLC

Siemens PLCs

Electrical & mechanical

Technical documentation

Team collaboration

Education

Engineering Apprenticeship

NVQ/City & Guilds/BTEC Level 3 in Electrical or Mechanical

Tools

SCADA systems

Industrial networks (Profibus/AS-i)

Job description

• Full-time employees receive 28 days of annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays), increasing to 33 days after 5 years of service. Annual leave is pro-rated for part-time or alternative working arrangements.
• Contributable company pension scheme
• 10% store discount at all our retail stores
• Stream - access to flexible pay, financial wellbeing support, exclusive colleague discounts, savings opportunities and much more

MyHB colleague benefits platform with access to:

• Discounts UK wide on retail, leisure, hospitality venues
• Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 confidential counselling and advice line
• Low-cost voluntary insured health cash plans and cancer cover

Job Introduction

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Automation Engineer to support the operation, maintenance, and optimisation of our automated handling systems within our busy Amesbury Distribution Centre. This role is essential in ensuring high levels of equipment availability, reliability, and performance to keep our operations running smoothly.

Working as part of the engineering shift team, you will be responsible for responding to faults, conducting planned preventative maintenance, and participating in continuous improvement initiatives. Your focus will be on both proactive and reactive engineering tasks, all while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and operational efficiency.

In addition to your core responsibilities, you will provide vital escalation support in the absence of the Shift Manager, helping to lead and coordinate the engineering response. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled engineer looking to make a tangible impact in a fast-paced, automated environment.

Job Overview

• Maintenance: Carry out regular upkeep of automation and material handling systems to minimise downtime and maximise operational efficiency.
• Fault response: Respond quickly to system breakdowns, performing accurate diagnosis and timely resolution to keep operations running.
• Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM): Complete scheduled maintenance activities to the required standards and within agreed timescales.
• System monitoring: Track and analyse system performance, highlighting recurring faults to support the development of permanent solutions.
• CMMS management: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all maintenance activities within the Computerised Maintenance Management System.
• Continuous improvement: Identify and escalation engineering improvements and help reduce the volume of reactive maintenance over time.
• Collaboration: Work closely with Shift Managers, fellow Engineers, and third-party contractors to ensure consistent service levels and teamwork.
• Health & Safety compliance: Follow all safety procedures, report hazards or unsafe behaviours, and contribute to a safe, well-maintained working environment.
• Technical troubleshooting: Use SCADA, PLCs, and engineering schematics to investigate faults and support efficient problem‑solving.
• Recognised Engineering Apprenticeship or equivalent formal training in electrical or mechanical engineering.
• Level 3 qualification such as NVQ, BTEC, or City & Guilds in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.
• Proven experience in a similar Engineering role within an automated, FMCG, or high-throughput environment.
• Hands‑on fault finding and repair experience in both electrical and mechanical systems.
• Strong understanding of automated handling systems such as conveyors or automated cranes.
• Working knowledge of Siemens PLCs, SCADA systems, and industrial communication networks (e.g., Profibus, AS-i).
• Ability to interpret technical documentation, including electrical/mechanical drawings and maintenance procedures.