Project Engineer – Automation

Pin Point Recruitment; Port Talbot; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35 days' holiday

Bonus scheme

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Free onsite parking

Training & development

Employee assistance program

Discount scheme

Job summary

Pin Point Recruitment is seeking a Project Engineer – Automation to drive major automation projects in a heavy industrial setting. You will lead PLC/SCADA delivery, manage system integrators and contractors, and ensure on-time, compliant project execution from concept through commissioning.

The role requires hands-on design, configuration and testing experience with Siemens S7/TIA Portal and WinCC, plus strong stakeholder management across disciplines.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical, Electronic, Automation Engineering or related field.
• Experience delivering automation projects across PLC/SCADA.
• Knowledge of IEC/BS EN standards and safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation delivery across major projects, ensuring scope, schedule and quality.
• Manage system integrators and EPC contractors; review design docs (P&IDs, FDS, SDS).
• Develop and execute project plans for engineering, construction and commissioning.
• Own full lifecycle of automation projects from concept to handover.

Skills

Industrial automation

PLC/SCADA design

Project management

Stakeholder management

Cross-discipline collaboration

Education

Electrical/Electronic/Automation Engineering degree

Tools

Siemens S7/TIA Portal

WinCC

PROFINET/Profibus/Modbus

Job description

Project Engineer – Automation

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

Function: Engineering – Project Engineering

Salary: Competitive

Closing Date: Thursday 17th September 2026

We’re driving major transformation through cutting-edge capital investment projects focused on building a more 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 complex industrial operations.

This is an exciting opportunity to work across the full project lifecycle, from concept through 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 and 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 electrical, mechanical and process disciplines 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 is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of industrial communication networks, including PROFINET, Profibus and Modbus TCP/IP.
• Understanding of relevant IEC and BS EN standards, functional safety and industrial cybersecurity.
• Ability to manage complex engineering projects and multiple stakeholders.

Qualifications

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

Desirable

• Experience within the steel industry or another heavy industrial environment.
• 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.
• Ability to lead safety studies and technical workshops.
• Collaborative mindset with a proactive, delivery-focused approach.

Please note: You may use AI tools to help prepare your application. However, all information must be accurate and based on your own experience. We value genuine, honest responses that reflect who you are.

What We Can Offer You

For this role, you will benefit from:

• A market-competitive salary.
• 35 days' holiday per annum.
• Annual pay review.
• Bonus scheme, subject to business performance.
• Ongoing professional training and development.
• Private healthcare scheme (individual cover).
• Competitive defined contribution pension scheme.
• Free onsite parking.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Employee discount scheme.
• Access to a range of additional lifestyle benefits