Principal Automation Engineer

Worley; Manchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Worley is seeking a Principal Automation Engineer in Manchester to lead automation initiatives for a long-standing Master Service Agreement in the oil & gas downstream sector. You’ll coordinate multi-disciplinary teams, manage safety, and ensure successful system integration and plant operations.

Ideal candidates bring extensive DCS/PLC experience, FEED leadership, and strong coordination skills with vendors, clients, and EPC/OEM partners.

Qualifications

• Extensive oil & gas instrumentation and controls experience.
• Brownfield project experience is essential.
• Knowledge of SIS safety implementations in FEED and commissioning.
• Experience with multiple PLC platforms and their integration.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery and performance of automation projects including upgrades.
• Oversee concurrent projects such as DCS migrations and PLC replacements.
• Site surveying to identify cutover methods for outages.
• Develop estimates for manhours and materials with support from engineers.
• Lead FEED processes and develop testing/cutover strategies.
• Create schedules and provide progress reporting to portfolio management.
• Develop control narratives from P&IDs and operations procedures.
• Coordinate site commissioning activities.

Skills

DCS experience

PLC integration

FEED process

Project leadership

Electrical interfacing

ATEX knowledge

Fieldbus protocols

Education

Electrical/Electronics degree

Tools

Honeywell DCS

PLC platforms

Control system software

Job description

Job Description - Principal Automation Engineer (MAN00YK)

Principal Automation Engineer - MAN00YK

Company : Worley

Primary Location

GBR-NWE-Manchester

Job

Instrumentation and Controls

Schedule

Full-time

Employment Type : Employee

Job Posting

Oct 14, 2026

Unposting Date

Reporting Manager Title : C&I Discipline Manager

Building on our past. Ready for the future

Worley is a global professional services company of energy, chemicals and resources experts headquartered in Australia.

Right now, we’re bridging two worlds as we accelerate to more sustainable energy sources, while helping our customers provide the energy, chemicals and resources that society needs now.

We partner with our customers to deliver projects and create value over the life of their portfolio of assets. We solve complex problems by finding integrated data-centric solutions from the first stages of consulting and engineering to installation and commissioning, to the last stages of decommissioning and remediation. Join us and help drive innovation and sustainability in our projects.

Principal Automation Engineer Role Context:

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.

You’ll be:

• Lead and be accountable for the delivery, execution and performance of automation projects including upgrades/migrations as well as new installations.
• At any one time oversee a number of concurrent projects, such as:
  • Honeywell DCS and FSC to Safety Manager migration
  • PLC replacements (various manufacturers)
• Site surveying to identify cutover methods suitable for the plant outages and manual operation modes available.
• Determine new project requirements and develop comprehensive estimates (manhours & materials) with support from Automation & C&I engineers
• Lead the FEED process (engineering work requests, deliverable structure, testing & cutover strategy).
• Prioritise activities and projects based on business needs and resource availability
• 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.
• Create and maintain project schedules and resource planning
• Provide progress reporting to portfolio management
• Develop Control Narratives from P&IDs, Operations procedures and/or reverse-engineering PLC / DCS configuration.
• Develop FAT, SAT and plant commissioning procedures.
• Coordinate site commissioning activities.

You’ll have:

• Extensive industry experience in the oil & gas, process, utilities or pharmaceutical industries
• Brownfield experience is essential
• Strong knowledge of DCS systems and Functional Safety ’SIS’ implementations in project FEED, detailed design and commissioning phases
• Experience with various PLC platforms and their integration
• 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 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)
• 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
• Ability to prioritise competing demands and projects
• Proficient in technical writing and documentation

Moving Forward:

We want our people to be energized and empowered to drive sustainable impact. So, our focus is on a values-inspired culture that unlocks brilliance through belonging, connection and innovation.

We’re building a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace. Creating a space where everyone feels they belong, can be themselves, and are heard. And we're not just talking about it; we're doing it. We're reskilling our people, leveraging transferable skills, and supporting the transition of our workforce to become experts in today's low carbon energy infrastructure and technology.

Whatever your ambition, there’s a path for you here. And there’s no barrier to your potential career success. Join us to broaden your horizons, explore diverse opportunities, and be part of delivering sustainable change.