OT Automation Engineer

Akzonobel; Maidenhead; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary on experience

Holidays 25 days

Company pension

Income protection

Life assurance

Employee assistance

Staff discounts

Flexible benefits

Job summary

AkzoNobel in Felling, Gateshead, UK is seeking an experienced OT & Automation Engineer to drive our manufacturing site’s digital transformation. You will maintain, develop and safeguard our Industrial Control Systems (ICS), while supporting automation projects and strengthening cyber security across the site.

Reporting to the EC&I Lead, you will work with internal teams and external suppliers to design and implement automation solutions, improve reliability and plant performance, and manage

Qualifications

• Experience maintaining Industrial Control Systems in manufacturing.
• Knowledge of PLCs, SCADA and industrial protocols.
• Strong troubleshooting and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and improve PLCs, SCADA and related equipment.
• Deliver automation and digital transformation projects.
• Develop ICS network architecture and backup plans.
• Collaborate with IT and external suppliers on automation solutions.
• Lead site cyber security initiatives and risk assessments.
• Support functional safety activities such as HAZOP.
• Manage third-party contractors and coordinate with regional teams.
• Provide technical expertise to improve reliability and plant performance.

Skills

PLCs

SCADA

OT cyber security

Automation engineering

Project management

Stakeholder mgmt

Troubleshooting

Education

Electronics

Industrial Control

Automation Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley

Siemens

Honeywell

ABB

OPC

SQL

Job description

We're looking for an experienced OT & Automation Engineer to help drive the digital transformation of our manufacturing site in Felling. Reporting to the EC&I Lead, you'll play a key role in maintaining, developing and safeguarding our Industrial Control Systems (ICS), while supporting automation projects, improving operational performance and strengthening cyber security across the site.

What You'll Be Doing

• Maintain, troubleshoot and improve Industrial Control Systems (PLCs, SCADA and associated equipment).
• Support the delivery of automation and digital transformation projects across the site.
• Develop and maintain ICs network architecture, software backups and business continuity plans.
• Work with internal teams and external suppliers to design and implement automation solutions.
• Act as the Site Cyber Security Officer, ensuring OT cyber security standards and policies are implemented.
• Carry out cyber security risk and vulnerability assessments for industrial control systems.
• Support functional safety activities including HAZOP studies and process safety management.
• Manage third-party contractors and collaborate closely with IT, engineering and regional digital teams.
• Provide technical expertise to improve reliability, efficiency and plant performance.

Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent) in Electronics, Industrial Control, Automation Engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience maintaining Industrial Control Systems within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of PLCs, SCADA systems and industrial communication protocols.
• Experience with automation platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Honeywell or ABB.
• Understanding of OT cyber security, industrial networks and database technologies (OPC, SQL).
• Excellent troubleshooting, project management and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive approach with the ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.

What Makes You Stand Out

• Experience supporting factory digital transformation programmes.
• Knowledge of functional safety and process safety management.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• A collaborative approach with a passion for continuous improvement.

Location: Felling, Gateshead, United Kingdom

Employment type: Regular

Benefits

• Competitive salary (dependent on experience).
• 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays.
• Company pension.
• Income protection.
• Employee Life Assurance.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Staff discount at Dulux Decorator Centres.
• Flexible benefits including GymFlex, dental cover, retail discounts and more.

Additional Information

We are advocates of a healthy work-life balance and mental wellbeing and are happy to consider flexible working options wherever possible.

We have been inventing the future for more than two centuries and need people like you to be part of the team.

Since 1792, we've been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people's lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands - including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon - is trusted by customers around the globe. We're active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It's what you'd expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that's dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today - while creating an even better tomorrow. Let's paint the future together.

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.