Automation Engineer

Automation Engineer Progressive Global Energy Middleton, England, United Kingdom

Automation Engineer

Middleton, Manchester

Up to £58,000 + 5% Bonus

Permanent | Rotating Day Shifts | No Nights

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Automation Engineer to join a highly automated Food Manufacturing operation in Middleton, Manchester.

This role offers the opportunity to become the site's recognised Automation & Controls specialist, supporting a complex process manufacturing environment whilst driving automation improvements, reliability initiatives and future capital projects.

Reporting to the Engineering Manager, you'll take ownership of automation reliability across the site, working closely with Engineering and Operations teams to improve performance, reduce downtime and support future investment programmes.

This position would suit an Automation Engineer who enjoys improving processes, solving complex technical challenges and implementing long-term automation solutions rather than simply reacting to day-to-day breakdowns.

The Role

• Supporting and developing Allen Bradley and Siemens PLC systems.
• Maintaining and improving SCADA, control and automation systems.
• Delivering automation improvement and Continuous Improvement projects.
• Conducting root cause analysis and implementing permanent corrective actions.
• Improving automation reliability and manufacturing performance.
• Supporting capital investment and automation upgrade projects.
• Identifying equipment obsolescence risks and recommending long‑term improvements.
• Working closely with Engineering and Operations teams to improve efficiency and productivity.
• Providing technical support and guidance on automation and controls systems.
• Contributing to the site's longer‑term automation and reliability strategy.

The Environment

This is a highly automated Food Manufacturing facility producing a range of food products within a process‑driven manufacturing environment.

The site includes:

• Allen Bradley PLCs (approximately 80% of the automation estate).
• Siemens S5 and S7 PLCs.
• SCADA systems.
• Industrial communications networks.
• Pumps and valves.
• Drives and motors.
• Flow meters and instrumentation.
• Storage tanks and process pipework.
• CIP systems.
• PID control systems.

This is a true Process Manufacturing environment where automation, instrumentation and process control play a critical role in operational performance.

What We're Looking For

• Experience working as an Automation Engineer, Controls Engineer or Automation & Controls Engineer.
• Strong PLC programming and fault‑finding experience.
• Experience with Allen Bradley PLCs preferred.
• Siemens PLC experience beneficial but not essential.
• SCADA and industrial automation experience.
• Experience within Food Manufacturing, FMCG, beverage, chemical or wider process manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of instrumentation, process control and PID loops.
• Experience working with pumps, valves, drives and flow systems.
• Strong fault‑finding and problem‑solving skills.
• A proactive approach to reliability improvement and Continuous Improvement activities.
• The ability to identify opportunities to improve plant performance, maintainability and automation reliability.

Experience within Food Manufacturing or FMCG is highly desirable due to the site's focus on food safety, allergen control, CIP systems and process safety.

Future Projects

This role offers involvement in several significant site‑wide initiatives, including:

• New SCADA implementation planned for 2027.
• Automation modernisation projects.