Automation Engineer

DATS Recruitment; Widnes; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

DATS Recruitment in the UK is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to join a specialist engineering business delivering automation and control system solutions across process industries. You will contribute from design and software development through testing and commissioning to client handover, working with a multi-disciplinary team to deliver robust automation projects.

The role is primarily office-based in Widnes, with occasional UK and overseas travel to support project delivery and

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience with Siemens automation platforms.
• Experience programming PLCs from scratch using P&IDs and process descriptions.
• Experience with SCADA and HMI development.
• Knowledge of Ethernet-based PLC communications.
• Experience with industrial networks (Profibus, Profinet, AS-i, IO-Link).
• Experience with VSDs, instrumentation and control valves.
• Ability to design control systems from P&IDs and Process Data Sheets.
• Experience generating technical project documentation.

Responsibilities

• Develop project documentation including FDS, SDS and FAT procedures.
• Design, program and develop PLC, HMI and SCADA software solutions.
• Support production of system architecture drawings and I/O schedules.
• Carry out commissioning activities including I/O testing and PID tuning.
• Collaborate with process, electrical and mechanical engineers to deliver integrated automation solutions.

Skills

Siemens automation platforms

PLC programming

SCADA

HMI development

Ethernet PLC communications

Profibus

Profinet

AS-i

IO-Link

VSDs

Instrumentation

Education

Engineering Degree / HNC / HND or equivalent

Tools

Aveva SCADA

VMware

SQL databases

Visual Basic

Job description

We’re currently looking for an experienced Automation Engineer to join a specialist engineering business delivering automation and control system solutions across a range of process industries.

Working as part of a multi-disciplinary engineering team, you will be involved throughout the full project lifecycle, from initial design and software development through to testing, commissioning and client handover. This role would suit a proactive and resourceful engineer with strong automation experience and a solid understanding of process engineering environments.

The position is primarily office-based in Widnes, although occasional travel within the UK and overseas will be required to support project delivery and commissioning activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop project documentation including Functional Design Specifications (FDS), Software Design Specifications (SDS) and Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) procedures.
• Design, program and develop PLC, HMI and SCADA software solutions.
• Support the production of wider project documentation including System Architecture drawings and I/O schedules.
• Carry out commissioning activities including:
  • I/O testing
  • Equipment configuration over fieldbus networks
  • PID loop setup and optimisation
  • Water and process/product testing
  • Troubleshoot and modify existing control systems.
• Collaborate with process, electrical and mechanical engineers to deliver integrated automation solutions.

Must-Have Skills & Experience

• Minimum 5 years' experience working with Siemens automation platforms.
• Experience programming PLC systems from scratch using P&IDs and process descriptions.
• Experience with SCADA systems and HMI development.
• Knowledge of Ethernet-based PLC communications.
• Experience with industrial networks including:
  • Profibus
  • Profinet
  • AS-i
  • IO-Link
• Experience controlling and programming:
  • Variable Speed Drives (VSDs)
  • Instrumentation, Control valves
• Ability to design control systems from P&IDs and Process Data Sheets.
• Experience generating technical project documentation.
• Experience working within a process engineering environment.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills.

Desirable

• Experience with Aveva SCADA systems.
• Knowledge of VMware and virtualised environments.
• Understanding of SQL databases.
• Experience with Visual Basic or other high-level programming languages.
• Understanding of liquid process systems.

Qualifications

• An Engineering Degree, HNC/HND or equivalent technical qualification is preferred.
• However, candidates with significant relevant automation and control systems experience will also be considered.

Personal Attributes

• Strong problem‑solving and fault‑finding skills.
• Proactive and resourceful approach.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong planning and organisational abilities.
• Commitment to health and safety standards.

If you are an experienced Automation Engineer looking to work on complex automation and control projects within a growing engineering team, we'd love to hear from you.

Please note: This is a UK permanent role, and candidates will require existing eligibility to work in the UK to be considered for this role.