Automation Technician

Howmet Aerospace Inc.; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Howmet Aerospace Inc. in Exeter is seeking graduates and junior engineers to join the Manufacturing Engineering department. You will gain hands-on experience, develop professionally, and follow clear pathways into a long-term engineering career.

Roles operate on a swing-shift rotation, supporting tooling, fixtures, automation, and capital project justification. Candidates should show strong CAD/reading drawings skills, and familiarity with NX CAM or Heidenhain controls is a plus.

Qualifications

• Minimum of an HNC or equivalent in engineering.
• 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)
• Knowledge of 3DSL measurement equipment

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
• 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

Skills

CAD

Reading drawings

Computer literacy

Communication

Teamwork

Problem solving

Education

HNC or equivalent in Engineering

Tools

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)

Knowledge of 3DSL measurement equipment

Please note that this role may be subject to export control restrictions, including under ITAR. Any offer of employment will be conditional on the successful candidate meeting the applicable legal requirements for access to controlled information or technology.