Automation Technician

Howmet Aerospace; Exeter; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Howmet Aerospace in Exeter is seeking graduates and junior engineers for Manufacturing Engineering, offering hands-on experience, professional growth and clear development pathways. Roles operate on a swing‑shift rotation, focusing on reducing machine downtime, programming robots, and creating tooling for processes.

You will document SOPs and EMS, support automation, and help justify capital investments. A minimum of an HNC in engineering is required; CAD proficiency and the ability to read

Qualifications

• HNC or equivalent in an engineering discipline is required.
• Ability to read engineering drawings.
• CAD proficiency with Siemens NX is advantageous.
• Experience with CNC milling and CAM (NX CAM) is advantageous.
• Experience in automation, robotics and manufacturing processes.
• Strong problem-solving and data management skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide critical help chain for manufacturing to reduce downtime of critical manufacturing equipment.
• Create, verify and release robot programs for automated cells.
• Create, verify and release programs for other programmable manufacturing equipment.
• Design and deliver tooling and fixtures for manufacturing processes.
• Create supporting documentation for automated equipment (SOP and EMS).
• Support implementation of new advanced manufacturing equipment and automation.
• Support Senior MEs in justification of capital funding requests.
• Support cost reduction and process improvement of current manufacturing techniques.
• Work with Manufacturing to record and improve OEE of critical equipment.
• Support implementation of new manufacturing technology.
• Responsible for program storage, data back-ups and revision control for Manufacturing equipment.
• Implement and support EH&S activities.

Skills

Reading engineering drawings

Judgment & decision making

Communication & teamwork

Written & verbal communication

Robotics programming

Automation & manufacturing

Troubleshooting

Problem solving

Education

HNC or equivalent in engineering

Tools

CAD software (Siemens NX)

NX CAM

Heidenhain controls

Job description

• Locations Alcoa Europe, Exeter, DEV, EX2 7LG, GB (On-site)
• Job Schedule Full time

Responsibilities

Exciting opportunities have arisen within the Manufacturing Engineering department for graduates and junior engineers alike. These roles offer hands‑on experience, professional growth, and clear development pathways within an engineering function.

These positions are ideal for individuals eager to build a strong foundation in manufacturing engineering and seeking a pathway into a long‑term engineering career. Operating on a swing‑shift rotation, successful candidates will:

Provide critical help chain for manufacturing to reduce downtime of critical manufacturing equipment

Create, verify and release robot programs for automated cells

Create, verify and release programs for other, programmable manufacturing equipment

Design and deliver tooling and fixtures for manufacturing processes

Creating supporting documentation for automated equipment (SOP and EMS)

Support implementation of new advanced manufacturing equipment and automation

Support Senior MEs in justification of capital funding requests

Support cost reduction and process improvement of current manufacturing techniques

Work with Manufacturing to record and improve OEE of critical equipment

Support implementation of new manufacturing technology

Responsible for program storage, data back-ups and revision control for Manufacturing equipment

Implement and support EH&S activities

Qualifications

• Minimum of a HNC or equivalent in an Engineering discipline
• Good understanding of tooling, fixture design and manufacturing processes
• Proficient in CAD, Siemens NX an advantage
• Ability to read engineering drawings
• High level of computer literacy (Word/Excel/Project)
• Good judgment and decision making
• Communication and team working skills
• Good communication skills both written and verbal.

6 axis articulated arm Robot programming experience, Yaskawa or Fanuc an advantage

Proficient in CNC Milling, CAM an advantage (Heidenhain controls & NX CAM)

A minimum of two years’ relevant experience within an engineering environment

Experience trouble-shooting mechanical systems (pneumatics, tooling, measurement feedback systems)

Knowledge of automation systems

CMM Programming experience (Renishaw Modus)

PLC or other logic-based programming experience

Knowledge of problem-solving tools (FMEA or equivalent)