Automation Engineer

Finsbury Food Group; Cowbridge; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Finsbury Food Group is seeking an Automation Engineer to own site PLC platforms (Allen Bradley/ControlLogix) and lead automation reliability across production lines in the UK. You’ll work with Siemens, Omron and Mitsubishi PLCs, and maintain robotics from ABB and Fanuc while supporting vision systems such as Keyence and Thingtrax.

You’ll drive structured root-cause analysis and enforce PLC standards, governance and robust version control.

Qualifications

• Electrical/Electronic apprenticeship training or equivalent.
• Degree or HND in Control & Automation Engineering or related field.
• Strong experience with Allen Bradley / Rockwell Studio 5000.
• Experience with Siemens, Omron, or Mitsubishi PLCs.
• Knowledge of robotics (ABB, Fanuc, Mitsubishi).
• Experience with industrial protocols (Ethernet/IP, Profibus, RS232/485).
• Ability to integrate PLCs with SCADA/MES platforms.
• Fault-finding and root-cause analysis mastery.
• Machine safety principles and safety PLCs experience.
• Vision systems experience (Keyence, Thingtrax) desired.
• Detail-oriented with strong documentation and analytical mindset.
• Experience in fast-paced food manufacturing and knowledge of health, safety and food safety regs.
• Proficient MS Office and strong cross-functional communication.

Responsibilities

• Own site PLC platforms (Allen Bradley ControlLogix/CompactLogix) and support Siemens/Omron/Mitsubishi as needed.
• Maintain and optimise robotic systems (ABB, Fanuc, Mitsubishi) and vision systems (Keyence, Thingtrax).
• Lead root-cause analysis and implement long-term corrective actions to boost reliability.
• Develop and enforce PLC programming standards, naming, documentation, alarms and governance.
• Own backup/version control processes with secure storage and change tracking.
• Integrate PLC systems into SCADA/MES for accurate downtime and reliable OEE reporting.
• Support capital projects from spec through commissioning and validation.
• Collaborate with IT on network infrastructure and coach engineers to build automation capability.

Skills

Electrical apprenticeship

Control & Automation

Allen-Bradley Studio 5000

Siemens PLCs

Omron PLCs

Mitsubishi PLCs

ABB robotics

Fanuc robotics

Ethernet/IP

Profibus

RS232/485

SCADA/MES integration

Fault finding

Root cause analysis

Machine safety

Safety PLC

Vision systems

Keyence

Thingtrax

Documentation discipline

Food manufacturing experience

Health & Safety

Food Safety regulations

MS Office

Cross-functional communication

Education

Electrical/Electronic apprenticeship

Degree/HND in Control & Automation

Tools

Studio 5000

Siemens TIA Portal

Robot controllers (ABB/Fanuc)

SCADA software

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 EngineeringStrong experience with Allen Bradley / Rockwell (Studio 5000)Experience working with Siemens, Omron, or Mitsubishi PLCsKnowledge of robotics systems such as ABB, Fanuc, or MitsubishiExperience with industrial communication protocols (e.g. Ethernet/IP, Profibus, RS232/485)Experience integrating PLC systems with SCADA/MES platformsStrong fault-finding and root cause analysis capabilityStrong experience of machine safety principles and safety PLC systemsExperience with vision systems (Keyence, Thingtrax) (desirable)Detail-driven with strong documentation discipline and analytical mindsetExperience within fast-paced food manufacturing (desirable)Familiarity with Health & Safety and Food Safety regulationsExcellent Microsoft Office skillsAble to work independently while collaborating and communicating cross-functionally