Project Engineer Automation

Tata Steel UK; Port Talbot; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35 days holidays per annum

Annual Pay Review

Bonus Scheme

Private Healthcare Scheme

Pension scheme (defined contribution)

Job summary

Tata Steel UK Limited in Port Talbot is seeking a Project Engineer (Automation) to drive advanced control systems across major industrial projects. You will lead PLC/SCADA delivery, manage contractors, and ensure safety and quality from concept through commissioning.

The role requires strong automation expertise, experience with Siemens S7/TIA Portal, and ability to coordinate multi-disciplinary teams in a heavy industry environment. Competitive salary and strong benefits package available.

Qualifications

• Strong background in industrial automation and control systems.
• Proven experience with PLC/SCADA design, configuration, and commissioning.
• Experience with Siemens S7 (TIA Portal) and WinCC (highly desirable).
• Knowledge of industrial communication networks (e.g. PROFINET, Profibus, Modbus TCP/IP).
• Understanding of relevant standards (IEC, BS EN, functional safety, cybersecurity).
• Ability to manage complex projects and multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation delivery across major projects, overseeing PLC, SCADA, and instrumentation systems to ensure they meet scope, schedule, and quality targets.
• Manage system integrators and EPC contractors, reviewing technical deliverables such as P&IDs, Functional Design Specifications (FDS), Software Design Specifications (SDS), FAT/SAT procedures, and as-built documentation.
• Develop and execute project plans covering engineering, construction, and commissioning activities aligned with long-term site strategy.
• Own the full lifecycle of automation projects, including: Concept development and system design; Detailed engineering (PLC, SCADA, instrumentation); FAT/SAT; Installation, commissioning, and system integration; Operator training and final handover.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards (IEC, BS EN), functional safety requirements, and industrial cybersecurity best practices.
• Prepare specifications and RFQs, evaluate bids, and support vendor selection.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges during design, integration, and commissioning.
• Collaborate across disciplines (electrical, mechanical, process) to deliver fully integrated solutions.
• Lead commissioning activities, including loop checks, cause & effect testing, and performance validation.
• Drive safety excellence, organising and facilitating HAZOP, LOPA, SIL and risk assessments.
• Manage change control through formal Management of Change (MoC) processes

Skills

Industrial automation

PLC/SCADA design

Siemens S7 (TIA Portal)

Industrial networks

Standards & cybersecurity

Project management

Education

Degree in Electrical, Electronic, Automation Engineering or related discipline

Job description

Job Title: Project Engineer Automation

Location: Port Talbot (with site-based project work)

Function: Engineering – Project Engineering

Salary: Competitive

Closing Date: Sunday 8th November 2026

We believe that our strength is not just in our steel but the diversity of our workforce. Our people make the difference.

At Tata Steel, we’re driving major transformation through cutting-edge projects like Invictus—a capital investment initiative at the heart of our sustainable future. We’re looking for a Project Engineer (Process Control & Automation) to play a pivotal role in delivering advanced automation and control systems that power our operations.

This is an exciting opportunity to work across the full project lifecycle, from concept to commissioning, within a complex and high-impact industrial environment.

What you will do

• Lead automation delivery across major projects, overseeing PLC, SCADA, and instrumentation systems to ensure they meet scope, schedule, and quality targets
• Manage system integrators and EPC contractors, reviewing technical deliverables such as P&IDs, Functional Design Specifications (FDS), Software Design Specifications (SDS), FAT/SAT procedures, and as-built documentation
• Develop and execute project plans covering engineering, construction, and commissioning activities aligned with long-term site strategy
• Own the full lifecycle of automation projects, including:
  • Concept development and system design
  • Detailed engineering (PLC, SCADA, instrumentation)
  • Factory and site acceptance testing (FAT/SAT)
  • Installation, commissioning, and system integration
  • Operator training and final handover
• Ensure compliance with industry standards (IEC, BS EN), functional safety requirements, and industrial cybersecurity best practices
• Prepare specifications and RFQs, evaluate bids, and support vendor selection
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges during design, integration, and commissioning
• Collaborate across disciplines (electrical, mechanical, process) to deliver fully integrated solutions
• Lead commissioning activities, including loop checks, cause & effect testing, and performance validation
• Drive safety excellence, organising and facilitating HAZOP, LOPA, SIL and risk assessments
• Manage change control through formal Management of Change (MoC) processes

What you will need

• Strong background in industrial automation and control systems
• Proven experience with PLC/SCADA design, configuration, and commissioning
• Experience with Siemens S7 (TIA Portal) and WinCC (highly desirable)
• Knowledge of industrial communication networks (e.g. PROFINET, Profibus, Modbus TCP/IP)
• Understanding of relevant standards (IEC, BS EN, functional safety, cybersecurity)
• Ability to manage complex projects and multiple stakeholders

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical, Electronic, Automation Engineering or related discipline

Desirable

• Experience within the steel industry or heavy industrial environments
• Membership of a relevant professional or project management institution

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and report writing ability
• Effective project planning and time management

  What we can offer you

  Tata Steel UK offers their employees significant benefits packages. For this role, you will benefit from:

  • A market competitive salary
  • 35 days holidays per annum
  • Annual Pay Review
  • Bonus Scheme – subject to business performance
  • Ongoing Tata Steel training, which has built a reputation as one of the best within the industry
  • Private Healthcare Scheme (Individual cover)
  • One of the UK’s leading defined contribution pension schemes (10% employer contribution / 6% employee contribution)

  We also have an extensive list of lifestyle benefits including free onsite parking at all of our sites, an employee assistance programme as well as Employee discount scheme for companies including Vodafone, Jaguar Land Rover and also various local services.

  Why us?

  Tata Steel is one of the world’s top 10 steel producers. The combined group has an annual aggregate crude steel capacity of more than 33 million tonnes with approximately 80,000 employees across four continents. We’re part of the Tata Group, one of the largest, most diverse conglomerates in the world with businesses in the UK including Tata Steel, Jaguar Land Rover and Tetley Tea.

  Sustainability is at the very heart of what we do and we are dedicated to managing our operations responsibly and to continuously improving our performance. Innovating for tomorrow, making a positive impact today.

  To learn more about who we are and what we can offer our future employees, please click on the link to watch the following video: Tata Steel – A place you can thrive – YouTube