Automation Engineer

Automation Engineer – Welding & Assembly

Want to take automation from concept to production?

If you're an experienced Automation Engineer who enjoys getting involved at every stage—from identifying opportunities and specifying equipment through to commissioning, programming and continuous improvement—this could be an excellent opportunity to make a real impact.

You’ll join a growing UK manufacturer, part of a global engineering group supplying specialist equipment to the British Armed Forces. With more than 100 years of engineering heritage and continued investment in advanced manufacturing, you’ll play a key role in developing the next generation of automated welding and assembly capability.

This is a hands‑on role where you’ll work closely with Engineering, Production, Quality and Maintenance, helping introduce new automation while continuously improving the performance, quality and efficiency of existing manufacturing processes.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary
• 4% employee / 7% employer pension contribution
• Half-day Friday
• 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays, with additional long-service rewards
• Life Assurance
• Company sick pay, increasing with service
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Wellbeing initiatives, including free fruit
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Free on-site parking
• On-site EV charging points
• Excellent career development within a global defence engineering organisation

The Role

This is a varied hands‑on Automation Engineering position focused on developing and implementing automated welding and assembly solutions across complex manufacturing operations.

You’ll identify where automation can improve productivity, quality and repeatability, then help take projects from initial concept and business case through equipment specification, installation, commissioning and production.

You’ll also get involved in robot programming, PLC/HMI troubleshooting, process optimisation, NPI and continuous improvement, making this an ideal role for an engineer who wants to combine technical expertise with practical problem‑solving.

What You’ll Be Doing -

Automation & Capital Projects

• Identify opportunities to introduce automation across hull welding and bridge fabrication.
• Develop technical specifications for robotic welding cells, CNC equipment and automated material handling systems.
• Support capital investment proposals through cost-benefit and ROI analysis.
• Lead installation, commissioning and Site Acceptance Testing of new automated equipment.
• Work with suppliers, Engineering, Production and Maintenance teams to deliver projects successfully.

Programming & Process Optimisation

• Develop and optimise robot programmes for complex welding applications.
• Work with Off-Line Programming (OLP) to reduce production downtime during NPI.
• Troubleshoot PLC logic, HMI interfaces and automated systems.
• Improve cycle times, build hours, quality and overall equipment performance.
• Develop effective jigging, fixturing and alignment processes to improve dimensional stability.

Continuous Improvement

• Analyse production data to identify bottlenecks, waste and opportunities for improvement.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing and structured problem‑solving techniques.
• Reduce scrap and improve first‑time‑right performance.
• Support root‑cause analysis across Production, Quality and Maintenance.
• Mentor operators in basic robot intervention and safe operation.
• Continuously look for ways to improve manufacturing efficiency and reduce build hours per product.

Process & Safety

• Develop SOPs and technical documentation for automated manufacturing processes.
• Conduct FMEAs and support robust risk management.
• Ensure automated equipment complies with relevant EHS, CE/UKCA and PUWER requirements.
• Support safe, repeatable and controlled manufacturing processes.
• Provide Design for Manufacture input during early‑stage product development.

About You

You’ll probably already be working as an:

• Automation Engineer
• Manufacturing Automation Engineer
• Robotics Engineer
• Controls Engineer
• Manufacturing Engineer with significant automation experience
• Welding Automation Engineer

You’ll be someone who enjoys getting hands‑on with technology and solving manufacturing problems, rather than simply managing automation projects from a distance.

You’ll ideally have:

• HND/HNC or Degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Mechatronics or a related discipline.
• Proven experience working with industrial automation in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience programming industrial robots and working with PLCs.
• Practical experience of commissioning and integrating automated equipment.
• Experience of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Understanding of NPI, process planning and manufacturing optimisation.
• Ability to analyse production data and use it to drive improvements.
• Good understanding of relevant Health, Safety and Environmental requirements.
• Strong MS Office skills.

Desirable

• Experience with robotic welding or automated assembly.
• Off-Line Programming (OLP) experience.
• PRINCE2, Agile, PMP or similar project management qualification.
• Lean/Six Sigma Green or Black Belt.
• Experience working with large‑scale manufacturing equipment.
• Experience with FMEA and structured problem‑solving.
• Experience working with heavy steel/armour or aluminium fabrication.

Why Apply?

This isn’t simply a role where you’ll maintain existing automation. You’ll have the opportunity to help shape how advanced manufacturing is carried out, identifying new opportunities, specifying and commissioning equipment, programming robots, solving production problems and delivering measurable improvements.

You’ll work on technically challenging manufacturing programmes supporting the UK defence industry, while having the backing of an established global engineering organisation.

If you’re an Automation Engineer who wants to see your ideas move from concept → equipment → commissioning → production, we’d love to hear from you.

Full job description available on request.

Our client is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All applications will be considered.