Lead Controls & Automation Engineer

Lead Controls & Automation Engineer

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Job Title: Lead Controls&Automation Engineer
Role Function: Group Electrical Controls Engineering Function - Devcelopment Projects
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 and car use for business
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 Controls&Automation 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 Controls & Automation 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 Controls & Automation 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 or email

Omega is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy. xwzovoh Omega does not charge candidates any recruitment or job-seeking fees at any stage of the hiring process.