Lead Automation Project Engineer

• Job Title: Lead Automation Project Engineer
• Role Function: Group Electrical Controls Engineering Function
• Manufacturing Automation & Capital Controls Automation Projects
• Client: Global category leader in FMCG Manufacturing, Process and Packaging
• Job Location: North West / West Lancashire Wigan area
• Salary: Target band of £60,000 - £70,000 + 10% Bonus + Excellent Benefits & Healthcare

Are you a Senior Automation Engineer who enjoys designing solutions, delivering innovative improvement automation projects and influencing the future direction of manufacturing technology? Looking for a hands on site based automation development & delivery role?

Develop an automation development plan and deliver that plan with business support.

• A Lead Automation Project Engineer to join a central engineering Electrical team and responsible for developing and implementing automation solutions across a major manufacturing site. Operate as the automation technical authority, leading automation investment projects, developing engineering standards and helping shape the future automation strategy
• Supporting and leading new automation projects, expansion of process manufacturing capacity, upgrades to PLC and SCADA systems, new equipment specification, systems integration, development of automation architecture, supporting group-wide standardisation, supplier management and future digitalisation initiatives
• You'll work closely with engineering teams, equipment suppliers and system integrators to deliver innovative and reliable automation solutions that improve performance, efficiency and capability across this site that is undergoing multi-million pound investment.

Role Duties& Responsibilities – Lead Automation Project Engineer

• Capital Projects & Automation Capability Development
• Lead the automation elements of major capital investment,concept through to commissioning
• Design and specify PLC, SCADA and automation solutions
• Automation Standards Development - Specify what PLCs, controls, sensors and software
• Develop technical specifications for new equipment and control systems
• Ensure projects are delivered to agreed cost, quality and performance targets
• Support technology investment and modernisation initiatives

Technical Leadership

• Act as the automation Subject Matter Expert across engineering projects
• Review and challenge supplier proposals and technical solutions
• Provide specialist controls and automation expertise to project teams
• Support future technology evaluation and implementation
• Automation Standards & Architecture
• Develop and maintain automation engineering standards
• Ensure consistency across multiple manufacturing sites
• Support development of OT architecture and control system strategies
• Drive standardisation and long-term reliability improvements

Supplier & Stakeholder Management

• Manage external systems integrators and automation suppliers
• Review quotations and technical submissions
• Ensure supplier solutions align with business requirements and standards
• Coaching electrical automation engineers & Continuous Improvement
• Support and mentor Automation Engineers

Essential Experience - Lead Automation Project Engineer

• Automation project delivery within a manufacturing environment
• PLC programming and controls engineering experience
• Siemens TIA Portal experience
• Experience working with Siemens and/or Rockwell PLC platforms
• Capital project (CapEx) delivery experience
• Automation system design and specification, writing functional design specs
• Supplier or systems integrator management
• Think strategically rather than simply maintaining existing systems
• You have designed PLC controls systems
• Comfortable challenging suppliers and driving standards
• Enjoy working across multiple sites and projects if required

Technical Skills - Lead Automation Project Engineer

Experience with some or all of the following:

• Siemens TIA Portal
• Siemens S7 PLCs
• Rockwell / Allen Bradley PLCs
• SCADA Systems
• AVEVA InTouch / Wonderware
• ProfiNET
• Industrial Networking
• OT Architecture & Control Systems Design

Ideal Backgrounds include Food Manufacturing, FMCG, Pharmaceutical, Chemical Processing, Packaging, Process Manufacturing.

Suitable job titles may include, Automation Development Engineer, Automation Project Engineer, Lead Automation Engineer, Senior Controls Engineer, Controls Project Engineer, Group Automation Engineer, Automation, Systems Engineer, Capital Projects Engineer (Automation)

What's On Offer - Lead Automation Project Engineer

• £60,000 - £70,000 Basic Salary
• Annual Bonus 10%
• Pension Scheme
• Healthcare Benefits
• Some Hybrid Working prefer onsite focus
• Significant Capital Projects Exposure
• Opportunity to influence automation strategy across a major manufacturing group

If you're an Automation Project Engineer, Lead Controls Engineer or Group Automation Engineer looking to move into a highly visible, multi-site engineering role where you can shape automation strategy and deliver major technology projects, we'd be delighted to hear from you.

Please contact Mike Butler on 01132123519 or email [email protected]