Hybrid Automation Engineer: Decommissioning & Controls

John Wood Group PLC; Ware; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meaningful projects

Hybrid/remote options

Diversity & inclusion

Competitive salary

Flexible benefits package (33 days, 4x

Job summary

Wood seeks an Automation Engineer for a site-based role in Ware, Hertfordshire. The role focuses on automation and control decommissioning, requiring rigorous change control and data integrity practices within a regulated environment.

You will work with the client facility teams to manage dependencies, backups, and software changes while maintaining compliance with site procedures. The ideal candidate will bring engineering or IT qualifications and proven experience in automation, with strong

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering or IT or HNC/D in engineering
• Previous site experience in an operational environment
• Experience in automation and control engineering
• Experience writing or modifying software and implementing system modifications
• Understanding of engineering practices, standards, procedures and codes

Responsibilities

• Identify automation or control elements to decommission (PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, networks)
• Define boundaries/interfaces for remaining operational systems
• Assess dependencies and plan modifications to maintain integrity
• Participate in change management and risk assessments
• Execute assigned automation tasks with full traceability
• Verify prerequisites and backups before modifications
• Perform controlled software/configuration changes and document updates
• Ensure data integrity and regulatory compliance during decommissioning
• Coordinate backups/configuration checks with site teams
• Document all activities per site procedures

Skills

Automation & Control Engineering

Software modification

Change control documentation

Site operations experience

Education

Engineering degree or IT degree

HNC/D in engineering

Job description

Wood is currently recruiting for an Automation Engineer to support one of our high-profile clients based on site in Ware, Hertfordshire a fixed term staff contract basis.

This is a site-based position, working at the client's operating facility.

“Please note that all employment is subject to completion of mandatory pre-employment screening checks relevant to this role”

The Role

We areseeking to hear from individualswho haveengineeringexperience within Automation and Controlsprojects,whoare driven by solving complex technical challenges for our clients.

As an experienced Automation Engineer, support for the project to conduct automation decommissioning activities that are laid out in a thorough Automation checklist document to guide activities and in line with oversight from Automation team and relevant engineering technical authorities:

What we can offer

• Meaningful and interesting projects delivered to leaders of industry across renewables and emerging energy sectors
• Flexible working arrangements that balance client, team and individual needs offering hybrid and remote working where relevant –
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion; we are an organisation actively committed to diversity and inclusion across our business with employee networks committed to giving all employees a voice
• Competitive salary with regular salary reviews to ensure we are rewarding at the right level in line with the market
• Flexible benefits package; inclusive of 33 days annual leave (including public holidays), generous contributory pension scheme, private medical cover, 4x base salary life insurance; all of these and more that can be adapted to suit your own lifestyle
• Commitment to continued professional development; development plans that are tailored to your individual needs and interests

Responsibilities

Wood, and our client, are committed to maintaining the highest standards of Data Security and Protection. Candidates applying for this role will be expected to demonstrate their commitment to safeguarding confidential information at all times.

The key objectives for this role are:

• Identify systems and subsystems with automation or control elements such as PLCs, HMIs, SCADA nodes, and networked instruments that require decommissioning
• Define boundaries and interfaces with systems that remain operational, including shared cabinets, networks, or interlocks
• Determine system dependencies and plan modifications needed to maintain the integrity of adjacent systems
• Participate in the site’s change management process, ensuring automation tasks are risk-assessed and tracked
• Own and execute assigned automation tasks marking changes within records, maintaining full traceability from start to finish
• Verify all prerequisites are met and assess potential impacts on other systems before initiating any modifications
• Confirm device software and configurations against approved backups, take final backups, and archive them in compliance with data integrity policies
• Perform controlled software or configuration changes to decouple equipment, documenting all updates under approved change control
• Execute automation and control system decommissioning pre‑requisites for GxP and non‑GxP equipment, ensuring data integrity and regulatory compliance
• Manage decommissioning of pharmaceutical production equipment, ancillary support systems, and facility plants (excluding HVAC/BMS), along with automated material handling systems
• Coordinate with site engineering teams to verify dependencies, complete backups/configuration checks, and document all activities in line with site procedures

Qualifications

What makes you remarkable?

At Wood, we are committed to equal opportunities and welcome all talented individuals to consider joining our team. So even if you don't match every statement below but feel you have some of the experience, knowledge or skills needed for this role, we encourage you to apply. It will take all of us working together to deliver solutions to the world’s most critical challenges.

Expected:

• Degree in an appropriate discipline of Engineering or IT or HNC/D in an appropriate discipline
• Previous site experience, working in an operational environment
• Previousexperience and competency in Automation and Control Engineering
• Previousexperiencein writing or modifying software
• Experience of implementing system modifications or modpacks
• A soundunderstandingof engineering practices, methodologies and economic principles, calculation methods, design details, international codes and standards, procedures, and specifications

Job Info

• Job Identification 32785
• Posting Date 10/19/2026, 09:04 AM
• Job Schedule Full time
• Locations Ware, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom