Automation Engineer

Finsbury Food Group; Cowbridge; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Finsbury Food Group seeks an Automation Engineer to own site PLC platforms (Allen Bradley) and support Siemens/Omron/Mitsubishi. You will maintain robotics (ABB, Fanuc, Mitsubishi) and vision systems (Keyence, Thingtrax), lead RCA for automation failures, and implement long-term fixes.

You’ll develop PLC standards and governance, ensuring secure version control and robust handovers. You’ll collaborate with IT on network infrastructure, support safety systems, and coach engineers to build

Qualifications

• Electrical/Electronic apprenticeship trained.
• Degree/HND and equivalent experience in Control & Automation Engineering.
• Strong experience with Allen Bradley / Rockwell (Studio 5000).
• Experience with Siemens, Omron, or Mitsubishi PLCs.
• Knowledge of robotics systems such as ABB, Fanuc, or Mitsubishi.
• Experience with industrial communication protocols (e.g. Ethernet/IP, Profibus, RS232/485).
• Experience integrating PLC systems with SCADA/MES platforms.
• Strong fault-finding and root cause analysis capability.
• Strong experience of machine safety principles and safety PLC systems.
• Experience with vision systems (Keyence, Thingtrax) desirable.

Responsibilities

• Own site PLC platforms (Allen Bradley), also supporting Siemens/Omron/Mitsubishi as needed.
• Maintain and optimise robotic systems (ABB, Fanuc, Mitsubishi) and vision systems (Keyence, Thingtrax).
• Lead structured root cause analysis for automation-related failures and implement long-term corrective actions.
• Develop, implement, and enforce PLC programming standards and governance, with clear naming, documentation, and alarm handling.
• Own backup and version control processes with secure storage and change tracking.
• Integrate PLC systems into SCADA/MES platforms for data integrity and reliable OEE reporting.
• Support capital projects from spec through commissioning and validation, with robust handovers.
• Collaborate with IT on network infrastructure and support machine safety systems; coach engineers to build automation capability.
• Ideally fit the role with resulting capability building across the site.

Skills

Allen Bradley / Rockwell

Siemens/Omron/Mitsubishi PLCs

Robotics systems (ABB, Fanuc, Mitsub

Vision systems (Keyence, Thingtrax)

Industrial networking (Ethernet/IP, RS

Root cause analysis

Documentation discipline

Safety principles

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Electrical/Electronic apprenticeship trained

Degree/HND in Control & Automation Engineering

Job description

This is what you’ll actually do!As Automation Engineer, you’ll take ownership of all site PLC platforms, primarily Allen Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix, while also supporting Siemens, Omron, and Mitsubishi systems where required.

You’ll maintain and optimise robotic systems including ABB, Fanuc, and Mitsubishi, alongside supporting vision systems such as Keyence and Thingtrax.You’ll lead structured root cause analysis for automation-related failures, implementing long-term corrective actions to reduce repeat issues and improve reliability.

You’ll develop, implement, and enforce PLC programming standards, ensuring consistency across naming conventions, documentation, alarm handling, and governance.You’ll own all backup and version control processes, ensuring secure storage, change tracking, and full compliance with governance standards.

Working closely with cross-functional teams, you’ll integrate PLC systems into SCADA/MES platforms, ensuring data integrity, accurate downtime capture, and reliable OEE reporting.You’ll also support capital projects from specification through to commissioning and validation, ensuring robust technical handovers.

In addition, you’ll collaborate with IT on network infrastructure, support machine safety systems, and provide coaching and guidance to engineers to build automation capability across the site. Ideally this is you!

• Electrical/Electronic indentured apprenticeship trained.
• Degree/HND and equivalent experience in Control & Automation Engineering
• Strong experience with Allen Bradley / Rockwell (Studio 5000)
• Experience working with Siemens, Omron, or Mitsubishi PLCs
• Knowledge of robotics systems such as ABB, Fanuc, or Mitsubishi
• Experience with industrial communication protocols (e.g. Ethernet/IP, Profibus, RS232/485)
• Experience integrating PLC systems with SCADA/MES platforms
• Strong fault-finding and root cause analysis capability
• Strong experience of machine safety principles and safety PLC systems
• Experience with vision systems (Keyence, Thingtrax) (desirable)
• Detail-driven with strong documentation discipline and analytical mindset
• Experience within fast-paced food manufacturing (desirable)
• Familiarity with Health & Safety and Food Safety regulations
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills
• Able to work independently while collaborating and communicating cross-functionally
• JobFunctionEngineeringPayTypeSalary