Principal Automation Engineer

First Recruitment Group; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

First Recruitment Group is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer in Manchester to lead and coordinate automation activities under a long-standing MSA in the Oil & Gas sector. You will ensure safety, technical, commercial and schedule requirements, supporting system integration and plant operations.

The role requires FEED leadership, review of PLC/DCS proposals, and development of control narratives and commissioning procedures, working with vendors and clients across projects.

Qualifications

• Experience in oil & gas, process, utilities or pharmaceutical industries.
• Engineering leadership in automation projects including FEED, detailed design and commissioning.
• Knowledge of interfacing automation with process instrumentation and actuators.
• Hazardous area classifications and protection requirements (ATEX).
• Knowledge of PLC/SCADA platforms and comms protocols.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation activities under a long-term MSA for stakeholders and vendors.
• Coordinate FEED process, deliverables, testing and cutover strategy.
• Review DCS/PLC proposals with vendors and integrators.
• Review EC&I and OEM detailed design documentation.
• Lead multi-disciplinary design review meetings with Client, EPC and OEM SMEs.
• Develop control narratives from P&IDs and procedures.
• Develop FAT, SAT and commissioning procedures.

Skills

Project leadership

Communication skills

Problem solving

Detail oriented

Education

Electrical/Electronic or Automation degree

Tools

PLC

SCADA

DCS

Profibus

Modbus

Ethernet/IP

Job description

Location: Manchester (3 days onsite, 2 days remote)

Duration: 12 Month Contract

IR35: Inside (PAYE)

Position Overview

An experienced Automation Engineer to lead and coordinate Automation activities on a long-standing Master Service Agreement in the Oil & Gas industry (downstream), acting as the key focal point for stakeholders and vendors. Responsible for ensuring all technical, safety, commercial, and schedule requirements are met while supporting successful system integration and plant operations

Key Responsibilities:

• Site surveying to identify cutover methods suitable for the plant outages and manual operation modes available.
• Lead the FEED process (engineering work requests, deliverable structure, testing & cutover strategy).
• Review and approve DCS / PLC proposals with vendors and integrators
• Review and approve EC&I and OEM detailed design documentation.
• Lead multi-disciplinary design review meetings with Client, EPC and OEM subject matter experts.
• Develop Control Narratives from P&IDs, Operations procedures and/or reverse-engineering PLC / DCS configuration.
• Develop FAT, SAT and plant commissioning procedures.

Experience & Minimum Requirements

• Experience in the oil & gas, process, utilities or pharmaceutical industries
• Demonstrated engineering leadership in automation (PLC, SCADA or DCS) project FEED, detailed design and commissioning phases
• Knowledge of electrical interfacing between automation systems and process industry actuators: process instrumentation, control valves, hydraulic servo controls, motor starters etc.
• Knowledge of hazardous area classifications and protection requirements (ATEX)
• Knowledge of PLC / SCADA platforms and communications protocols (Profibus, Modbus, Ethernet/IP).

Preferred Requirements

• Degree qualified in Electrical & Electronic, Instrumentation, Automation, Chemical or equivalent
• Knowledge of fiscal metering and truck loading (terminals)
• EEMUA 191 Alarm Management standard
• IEC61508 / 61511 Functional Safety certified

Skills & Attributes

• Client-focused approach to project delivery
• Self-motivated with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Detail-oriented with strong organisational skills
• Strong technical troubleshooting abilities
• Proficient in technical writing and documentation