Automation Engineer - PLC & Controls

ISQ Recruitment LTD; England; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

33 days annual leave including Bank/HM

Company Pension Scheme

Site performance-related bonus

Death in Service – 2x salary

Group Income Protection

Monday to Friday working

No shift rotation

Job summary

iSQ Recruitment is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to join their manufacturing client near Beccles, Norfolk. The role focuses on PLC programming, control system upgrades and ongoing automation improvements to enhance equipment reliability and performance.

You will work with the Automation Lead, production teams and OEMs to modernise PLC platforms and deliver smart automation upgrades while ensuring safety and compliance.

Qualifications

• Minimum Level 3 Engineering qualification, including or alongside a recognised Electrical qualification.
• Proven experience in automation engineering, controls engineering or PLC engineering within a manufacturing or production environment.
• Demonstrable experience in PLC programming, code modification and PLC fault-finding.
• Experience with production equipment, manufacturing lines or packaging systems.
• Experience with inverters, servo drives and HMI panels.
• Ability to read and update electrical schematics and engineering documentation.
• Good understanding of machine safety, electrical safety and relevant machinery safety requirements.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills with a proactive and accountable approach.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, fault-find and improve PLC, control and automated systems across the manufacturing site.
• Modernise PLC platforms and integrated control systems, including PLC programming, code modification and problem-solving.
• Support integration of new technology into existing and new manufacturing systems.
• Work with process control, end-of-line automation, data acquisition, vision and validation systems.
• Work with inverters, servo drives and HMI panels across production and packaging equipment.
• Support the design, delivery and commissioning of new manufacturing capability.
• Support automation and electrical obsolescence mitigation projects.
• Identify and deliver opportunities to improve equipment reliability, performance and efficiency through automation.
• Work with OEMs, project teams and engineering colleagues to influence design improvements and deliver automation projects.
• Support planned preventative and autonomous maintenance and respond to automation-related breakdowns.
• Read and update electrical schematics, control system documentation and engineering documentation.
• Maintain high standards of machine safety, electrical safety, housekeeping and compliance.

Skills

PLC programming

Control systems

Fault-finding

Automation projects

Electrical schematics

Education

Minimum Level 3 Engineering qualification

Electrical qualification

Tools

Inverters

Servo drives

HMI panels

Job description

Automation Engineer – PLC & Controls

Sector: Manufacturing
Location: Near Beccles (Norfolk)
Employment Type: Full-time | Permanent
Salary: To be discussed
Hours: Monday to Friday | Days | 08:00-16:30 | Minimum 40 hours per week

iSQ Recruitment are supporting an established global manufacturing business with their search for an experienced Automation Engineer to join their engineering team.

This is a hands‑on automation and controls role focused on PLC programming, control systems and industrial automation, combining fault‑finding and maintenance with PLC code modification, automation improvements, commissioning and continuous improvement projects.

You’ll work closely with the Automation Lead, production and project teams, OEMs and other engineering stakeholders to improve the reliability, performance and capability of manufacturing equipment, while supporting the introduction of new technology and the modernisation of existing control systems.

Please note: This client does not offer visa sponsorship. Candidates must have full Right to Work in the UK and relevant automation, controls and PLC experience. Due to the location, applicants must also have a full UK driving licence andtheir own vehicle.

The Role – Automation Engineer

Working as part of the Automation team, you’ll be responsible for maintaining, fault‑finding, improving and developing automation and control systems across the manufacturing operation.

You’ll combine hands‑on PLC fault‑finding and programming with control system upgrades, automation projects, technology integration and equipment reliability improvements.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• 33 days annual leave including Bank Holidays and Christmas shutdown
• Company Pension Scheme
• Site performance‑related bonus
• Death in Service – 2x salary
• Group Income Protection
• Monday to Friday working
• No shift rotation

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain, fault-find and improve PLC, control and automated systems across the manufacturing site.
• Modernise PLC platforms and integrated control systems, including PLC programming, code modification and problem-solving.
• Support the integration of new technology into existing and new manufacturing systems.
• Work with process control, end‑of‑line automation, data acquisition, vision and validation systems.
• Work with inverters, servo drives and HMI panels across production and packaging equipment.
• Support the design, delivery and commissioning of new manufacturing capability.
• Support automation and electrical obsolescence mitigation projects.
• Identify and deliver opportunities to improve equipment reliability, performance and efficiency through automation.
• Work with OEMs, project teams and engineering colleagues to influence design improvements and deliver automation projects.
• Support planned preventative and autonomous maintenance and respond to automation‑related breakdowns.
• Read and update electrical schematics, control system documentation and engineering documentation.
• Maintain high standards of machine safety, electrical safety, housekeeping and compliance.

About You

We’re looking for an experienced Automation Engineer, Controls Engineer or PLC Engineer with strong practical experience in a manufacturing or production environment.

Essential

• Minimum Level 3 Engineering qualification, including or alongside a recognised Electrical qualification
• Proven experience in automation engineering, controls engineering or PLC engineering within a manufacturing or production environment
• Demonstrable experience in PLC programming, code modification and PLC fault‑finding
• Experience working with production equipment, manufacturing lines or packaging systems
• Experience with inverters, servo drives and HMI panels
• Ability to read and update electrical schematics and engineering documentation
• Good understanding of machine safety, electrical safety and relevant machinery safety requirements
• Strong problem‑solving and communication skills with a proactive and accountable approach

Desirable

• Experience with process control, end‑of‑line automation, data acquisition, vision or validation systems
• Experience supporting automation projects, commissioning or control system upgrades
• Experience with automation or electrical obsolescence projects
• Experience working with OEMs and external engineering suppliers

Why This Role

This is more than a traditional maintenance‑based automation position. You’ll have the opportunity to influence the development of the site's automation capability, modernise existing PLC and control systems and contribute to projects that directly improve manufacturing performance and reliability.

If you’re an experienced Automation Engineer, Controls Engineer or PLC Engineer with strong PLC programming and controls experience who enjoys fault‑finding, problem‑solving and delivering automation improvements, we’d like to hear from you.