Automation Project Engineer

Tata Steel UK; Port Talbot; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35 days holidays

Bonus scheme

Ongoing Tata Steel training

Pension scheme

Job summary

Tata Steel UK is seeking a Project Engineer (Process Control & Automation) to drive automation across major projects in Port Talbot. You will own end-to-end delivery from concept through commissioning, coordinating electrical, mechanical, and process disciplines to implement PLC/SCADA solutions.

Lead FAT/SAT, manage system integrators, ensure IEC/BS EN standards, functional safety, and cybersecurity, and deliver safer, more efficient operations for our complex sites.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical, Electronic, Automation Engineering or related discipline.
• Experience within the steel industry or heavy industrial environments.
• Membership of a relevant professional or project management institution.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and report writing ability.
• Effective project planning and time management.
• Ability to lead safety studies and technical workshops.
• Collaborative mindset with a proactive, delivery‑focused approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation delivery across major projects, overseeing PLC, SCADA, and instrumentation systems to ensure they meet scope, schedule, and quality targets
• Manage system integrators and EPC contractors, reviewing technical deliverables such as P&IDs, Functional Design Specifications (FDS), Software Design Specifications (SDS), FAT/SAT procedures, and as‑built documentation
• Develop and execute project plans covering engineering, construction, and commissioning activities aligned with long‑term site strategy
• Own the full lifecycle of automation projects, including: Concept development and system design; Detailed engineering (PLC, SCADA, instrumentation); FAT/SAT; Installation, commissioning, and system integration; Operator training and final handover
• Ensure compliance with industry standards (IEC, BS EN), functional safety requirements, and industrial cybersecurity best practices
• Prepare specifications and RFQs, evaluate bids, and support vendor selection
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges during design, integration, and commissioning
• Collaborate across disciplines (electrical, mechanical, process) to deliver fully integrated solutions
• Lead commissioning activities, including loop checks, cause & effect testing, and performance validation
• Drive safety excellence, organising and facilitating HAZOP, LOPA, SIL and risk assessments
• Manage change control through formal Management of Change (MoC) processes

Skills

PLC/SCADA design

Project management

Stakeholder management

Cybersecurity awareness

Education

Electrical/Electronic/Automation Engineering degree

Professional/project management membership

Tools

Siemens S7 (TIA Portal)

WinCC

Job description

Location: Port Talbot (with site-based project work)

Closing Date: Thursday 17th September 2026

We believe that our strength is not just in our steel but the diversity of our workforce. Our people make the difference.

At Tata Steel, we’re driving major transformation through cutting‑edge projects like Invictus—a capital investment initiative at the heart of our sustainable future. We’re looking for a Project Engineer (Process Control & Automation) to play a pivotal role in delivering advanced automation and control systems that power our operations.

This is an exciting opportunity to work across the full project lifecycle, from concept to commissioning, within a complex and high‑impact industrial environment.

What you will do

• Lead automation delivery across major projects, overseeing PLC, SCADA, and instrumentation systems to ensure they meet scope, schedule, and quality targets
• Manage system integrators and EPC contractors, reviewing technical deliverables such as P&IDs, Functional Design Specifications (FDS), Software Design Specifications (SDS), FAT/SAT procedures, and as‑built documentation
• Develop and execute project plans covering engineering, construction, and commissioning activities aligned with long‑term site strategy
• Own the full lifecycle of automation projects, including:
• Concept development and system design
• Detailed engineering (PLC, SCADA, instrumentation)
• Factory and site acceptance testing (FAT/SAT)
• Installation, commissioning, and system integration
• Operator training and final handover
• Ensure compliance with industry standards (IEC, BS EN), functional safety requirements, and industrial cybersecurity best practices
• Prepare specifications and RFQs, evaluate bids, and support vendor selection
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges during design, integration, and commissioning
• Collaborate across disciplines (electrical, mechanical, process) to deliver fully integrated solutions
• Lead commissioning activities, including loop checks, cause & effect testing, and performance validation
• Drive safety excellence, organising and facilitating HAZOP, LOPA, SIL and risk assessments
• Manage change control through formal Management of Change (MoC) processes

What you will need

• Strong background in industrial automation and control systems
• Proven experience with PLC/SCADA design, configuration, and commissioning
• Experience with Siemens S7 (TIA Portal) and WinCC (highly desirable)
• Knowledge of industrial communication networks (e.g. PROFINET, Profibus, Modbus TCP/IP)
• Understanding of relevant standards (IEC, BS EN, functional safety, cybersecurity)
• Ability to manage complex projects and multiple stakeholders

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical, Electronic, Automation Engineering or related discipline
• Experience within the steel industry or heavy industrial environments
• Membership of a relevant professional or project management institution
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Excellent communication and report writing ability
• Effective project planning and time management
• Ability to lead safety studies and technical workshops
• Collaborative mindset with a proactive, delivery‑focused approach

Ready to make a difference?

For more information or for an informal discussion please contact: [e-mail]

Please note: You may use AI tools to help prepare your application. However, all information must be accurate and based on your own experience. We value genuine, honest responses that reflect who you are.

What we can offer you

Tata Steel UK offers their employees significant benefits packages. For this role, you will benefit from:

• 35 days holidays per annum
• Bonus Scheme – subject to business performance
• Ongoing Tata Steel training, which has built a reputation as one of the best within the industry
• One of the UK’s leading defined contribution pension schemes (10% employer contribution / 6% employee contribution)

We also have an extensive list of lifestyle benefits including free onsite parking at all of our sites, an employee assistance programme as well as Employee discount scheme for companies including Vodafone, Jaguar Land Rover and also various local services.

Why us?

Tata Steel is one of the world’s top 10 steel producers. The combined group has an annual aggregate crude steel capacity of more than 33 million tonnes with approximately 80,000 employees across four continents. We’re part of the Tata Group, one of the largest, most diverse conglomerates in the world with businesses in the UK including Tata Steel, Jaguar Land Rover and Tetley Tea.

Sustainability is at the very heart of what we do and we are dedicated to managing our operations responsibly and to continuously improving our performance. Innovating for tomorrow, making a positive impact today.

To learn more about who we are and what we can offer our future employees, please click on the link to watch the following video: Tata Steel – A place you can thrive – YouTube