Process Improvement Engineer - Central Engineering

Forterra Building Products Ltd; Swadlincote; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance

Company Pension Scheme

Gym benefit

Cycle to Work Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Employee Referral Scheme

Service Awards

Holiday Exchange Scheme

Financial Wellbeing Program

Personal development and progression

Company Annual Bonus Scheme

Private Medical (upgrade to Family)

Job summary

Forterra Building Products Ltd in Swadlincote is seeking a Process Improvement Engineer (Electrical) to drive plant improvements, optimise electrical systems and lead small projects on the shop floor. You will work with central Projects and Plant Operations, applying fault finding, data analysis and safety standards to deliver reliable, efficient production.

Join a leading manufacturer of concrete and clay building products, with a focus on continuous improvement, cross‑functional collaboration

Qualifications

• Requires engineering qualification to C&G/ONC/HNC/HND/Degree level or time‑served apprenticeship.
• Experience with industrial electrical controls and factory systems.
• Familiarity with safety standards (IEC61508/EN62061) preferred.
• Experience in Process Automation Controls systems (Siemens TIA, SCADA, HMIs).
• Strong problem solving, project ownership and ability to work hands‑on on shopfloor.

Responsibilities

• Drive plant improvements by root causing repetitive issues and implementing lasting containment measures.
• Measure cycle times and downtime to develop engineering solutions and improve availability.
• Modify and optimise electrical systems on the shopfloor with documentation and change control.
• Lead small projects independently, specifying and designing simple electrical and control systems.
• Develop and revised Forterra Engineering Standards and coordinate with 3rd party integrators.

Skills

Siemens TIA

SCADA

HMIs

Industrial control

SQL

PLC to SQL

Automation design

Project management

Fault finding

Education

Engineering qualification (C&G/ONC/HNC/HND/Degree)

Time served apprenticeship

NEBOSH certification preferred

Tools

ePlan

AutoCAD Electrical

3rd party system integrators

Factory equipment

Job description

Job Description

Posted Thursday 20 August 2026 at 00:00 | Expires Sunday 20 September 2026 at 23:59

We are currently looking for an enthusiastic individual to join our Central Engineering team in the position of Process Improvement Engineer (Electrical).

The Purpose of the Process Improvement Engineer - (Electrical) is to provide ‘hands‑on’ technical support and expertise and drive Plant Operational Improvement as part of the Group Engineering function.

Focusing on analysing, optimising and improving manufacturing processes to increase efficiency and reduce waste.

Working with key stakeholders in both the central Projects teams and Plant Operational Teams and being responsible for driving technological improvements and operational efficiency.

This role is a key part of the team and will take responsibility on matters electrical, leading projects and/or taking direct action themselves to improve the operation.

Your duties would include but not limited to the following:

• Driving plant improvements by root causing repetitive issues and implementing lasting containment measures and, where possible designing out the failure modes.
• Measuring and gathering data on cycle times, downtime and design issues effecting availability and working with the Operational teams to develop engineering solutions that find the 100 yr fix.
• The modification and optimisation of electrical systems on the shopfloor, including documentation, planning, change control and training out any changes to Operators.
• Interacting with existing Factory equipment, including advanced fault finding, for example thermographic surveys, vibration analysis and Non-Destructive Inspections.
• Ability to design and execute small scale projects independently, including specifying and designing simple electrical and control systems.
• Working and supporting the development of Forterra Engineering Standards and revising where appropriate.
• Produce User Requirement Specifications (URS) for submittal to 3rd party system integrators where required.
• Reviewing and development Function Design Specifications (FDS) with 3 rd Party integrators where required.
• Join cross functional teams for large projects to take ownership of the electrical aspects of the project and providing expertise on specification.
• Developing Business Case and Capital Applications where required to implement Plant Improvements.
• Supporting and verifying Performance parameters and Factory Acceptance testing when required.
• Support the development of the Reliability Centred Maintenance Strategy by supporting criticality assessments and drive towards condition based monitoring.
• Development of Factory Intelligence Systems and Reporting using IC S and OT Process Automation.
• Work to the highest standards of Safety, both in the design and operation of automated equipment and in day‑to‑day behaviour on site.

About You

• Experience in Process Automation Controls systems, pref. Siemens TIA, SCADA, HMIs and associated networking technology
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Strong all-round background in software development with emphasis on industrial control systems and integrating specific factory systems
• Good inter-personal skills, team work, hands‑on approach and a desire to deliver improved technology and equipment to the end‑user
• Be proactive and take accountability for any projects and tasks assigned.
• Strong presentation skills, demonstrating an ability to communicate with staff at all levels
• Able to work on own initiative and develop and coach other Engineers/Apprentices
• Strong track record in delivering small projects “from Cradle to Grave”
• Working knowledge of ePlan or AutoCAD Electrical would be preferred
• Appropriate engineering qualification to C&G or ONC/HNC/HND/Degree level/Time served Apprenticeship
• Experience in relevant discipline (Mechatronic / Robotic / Software / Engineering) with at least 3 years of relevant front‑line controls experience or Time served industrial electrical qualification or equivalent
• Experience with functional safety for programable control systems preferable (IEC61580 and EN62061)
• Experience with SQL and PLC to SQL database functions would be advantageous
• Familiarity with robotics, Fanuc preferred
• Proven ability to work “hands on” in an industrial environment, problem solving and making incremental improvements within electrical equipment
• Project Management Training
• NEBOSH certified preferred
• Holder of a full driving licence

What We Can Offer You

• Competitive Salary and Benefits package
• Life Assurance and Company Pension Scheme up to 10% employer contribution
• Gym benefit and Cycle 2 Work Scheme
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme for self and family members
• Employee Referral Scheme
• Service Awards
• Holiday Exchange Scheme
• Financial Wellbeing Program
• Personal development and opportunities for progression
• Company Annual Bonus Scheme
• Individual Private Medical (Upgrade to Family Cover)

We are a leading manufacturer of a diverse and trusted range of concrete and clay building products used extensively within the construction sector, with instantly recognisable brands including Thermalite block, Bison Precast and the iconic London Brick.

Our complete product range comprises of clay bricks, aircrete blocks, aggregate blocks, precast concrete, flooring products, permeable paving and chimney, roofing, and flue systems.

Forterra’s purpose is to build lasting legacies, manufacturing a range of products from the ground up to support customers with their construction projects.

We are proud to be at the forefront of the industries’ safety standards and are committed to achieving zero harm in our workplaces.