Project & Automation Engineer in Nottingham

Energy Jobline ZR; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

Autonomous role with ownership

Supportive engineering team

Job summary

The Flavour Network is recruiting a hands-on Project & Automation Engineer in Nottinghamshire to lead automation and process-improvement projects from concept to installation and handover. You will work closely with production and engineering teams, delivering practical solutions on the factory floor and supporting the site's investment programme.

Experience in food manufacturing, strong PLC/HMI skills, and a proactive, ownership-driven mindset are essential for success in this varied,

Qualifications

• Experience in food manufacturing or FMCG environments is essential.
• PLC and HMI programming experience across Mitsubishi, Omron, or Siemens.
• Hands-on capability to design, fabricate, and wire control panels.
• Strong fault-finding and problem-solving abilities with good documentation.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation, engineering, and continuous improvement projects from concept to commissioning.
• Design, fabricate, and install mechanical improvements and production aids.
• Build, wire, and modify electrical control panels and PLC/HMI systems.
• Program PLCs and HMIs to support automation and process improvements.
• Install and calibrate sensors, motors, drives, and safety devices.
• Support CAPEX planning and delivery across the manufacturing site.
• Install, commission, and optimise new machinery and line upgrades.
• Collaborate with Production to trial, evaluate, and implement improvements.
• Maintain project documentation and engineering records.
• Ensure compliance with food safety, quality, and H&S standards.

Skills

Automation expertise

PLC programming

HMI programming

Troubleshooting

Documentation skills

Tools

Mitsubishi PLC

Omron PLC

Siemens PLC

VFDs

Job description

Job DescriptionJob Title: Project & Automation Engineer Salary: £55,000 - £60,000 Location: Nottinghamshire Job Type: Full-time, Permanent (Direct with Employer) Overview The Flavour Network are partnered with a growing food manufacturing business in the East Midlands to recruit a Project & Automation Engineer. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on engineering professional to lead and deliver a range of automation, process improvement, and capital projects within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. The successful candidate will take ownership of projects from initial concept through to installation, commissioning, and handover, combining practical engineering expertise with strong project delivery skills. Working closely with Production and Engineering teams, the Project & Automation Engineer will play a key role in identifying opportunities for improvement, designing and implementing engineering solutions, and supporting the site's ongoing investment programme. This is a varied role that requires both technical problem-solving and a willingness to be actively involved on the factory floor, whether fabricating equipment, building control systems, supporting commissioning activities, or delivering automation improvements. The position offers significant autonomy, technical variety, and the opportunity to make a tangible contribution to manufacturing performance, efficiency, and future site development.

Key Responsibilities for the Project & Automation Engineer

• Lead and deliver automation, engineering, and continuous improvement projects from concept through to commissioning
• Design, fabricate, and install mechanical improvements, bespoke equipment, and production aids
• Build, wire, and modify electrical control panels, including VFDs, relays, contactors, and PLC systems
• Programme and modify PLCs and HMIs to support automation and process improvements
• Install and calibrate sensors, solenoids, motors, drives, and safety devices
• Support the planning and delivery of CAPEX projects across the manufacturing site
• Install, commission, and optimise new machinery and production line upgrades
• Work closely with Production teams to trial, evaluate, and implement engineering improvements
• Maintain accurate project documentation, technical drawings, and engineering records
• Ensure all projects and installations comply with food safety, quality, and health & safety standards
• Support and mentor junior engineers or apprentices where required

Requirements for the Project & Automation Engineer

• Proven experience within a food manufacturing, FMCG, or manufacturing environment
• Strong understanding of automation, controls, and production machinery
• PLC and HMI programming experience (Mitsubishi, Omron, Siemens, or similar)
• Experience designing, building, and wiring electrical control panels
• Hands-on mechanical engineering and fabrication skills, including MIG and TIG welding
• Knowledge of sensors, drives, control systems, and automation integration
• Experience delivering engineering projects from concept through to implementation
• A practical and solutions-focused approach with strong fault-finding and problem-solving abilities
• Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple priorities and take ownership of projects
• Strong communication and documentation skills

What's on Offer for the Project & Automation Engineer

• Competitive salary plus a comprehensive benefits package
• Opportunity to work on varied and technically challenging engineering projects
• A highly autonomous role with genuine ownership of projects
• A supportive environment where engineering improvements are encouraged and implemented

If you're an engineer who enjoys designing, building, improving, and delivering practical solutions that make a measurable impact, we'd love to hear from you