At a Glance
- Tasks: Maintain and improve automation systems in a dynamic pharmaceutical environment.
- Company: Internationally active pharmaceutical company near London with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Freelance flexibility, remote work options, and the chance to work on impactful projects.
- Other info: Opportunity for continuous improvement and collaboration with diverse teams.
- Why this job: Join a team that values your expertise and contributes to life-saving technologies.
- Qualifications: Hands-on experience with PLCs, HMI/SCADA, and knowledge of regulatory environments.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
For an internationally active pharmaceutical company with a manufacturing site close to London, we are looking for an experienced Automation Engineer on a freelance basis. The focus is on maintaining and improving site automation technologies, covering production equipment and building automation systems, with hands‑on responsibility for design, programming, troubleshooting, and lifecycle management of control systems.
Start: immediate
Duration: until end of 2027
Remote share: 50%
Responsibilities:
- Maintain and troubleshoot automation systems, including production and building automation, ensuring system reliability and minimizing downtime.
- Deliver automation support for engineering and maintenance projects, including design, programming, and implementation of control systems.
- Lead or contribute to automation projects and continuous improvement initiatives, supporting the site automation roadmap.
- Ensure compliant system operation in line with internal procedures and regulatory requirements, including support for audits and CAPAs.
- Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (operations, maintenance, engineering, validation, IT) and external vendors.
Profile:
- Hands‑on experience with industrial automation systems, including PLCs, HMI/SCADA, and building automation.
- Strong knowledge of PLC programming (ladder, function block, structured text) and industrial control architectures.
- Experience supporting the full system lifecycle (design, implementation, troubleshooting, upgrades, documentation).
- Experience in a pharmaceutical or other highly regulated environment; knowledge of GAMP5.
- Aware of OT cybersecurity principles.
Interested? Please send your current CV.
Freelance Automation Engineer in London employer: JCW Group
As a Junior KYC Analyst, you'll join a dynamic and collaborative compliance team dedicated to upholding the highest standards in financial crime prevention. Our company fosters a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth, offering you the chance to learn from seasoned professionals while contributing to meaningful compliance efforts. Located in a vibrant financial hub, we provide unique opportunities for career advancement in a regulated investment environment, making us an excellent employer for those eager to make a difference in the financial services sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Freelance Automation Engineer in London
✨Get Involved in Automation Communities
Join online groups and forums where automation enthusiasts hang out, like certain subreddits or dedicated Facebook groups. Share your insights, ask questions, and connect with others in the field—it's a great way to find freelance opportunities and showcase your expertise.
✨Build a Standout Portfolio
Make sure you’ve got a killer portfolio that highlights your past automation projects. Whether you’ve developed control systems or automated industrial processes, displaying your work visually can help attract clients. Don’t forget to include testimonials from previous collaborations to boost your credibility!
✨Reach Out to Local Businesses
Many companies are on the lookout for freelancers with automation skills but don’t know where to find them. Visit local manufacturers or businesses that could benefit from optimising their systems, and pitch your services. A personal connection can make all the difference!
✨Explore Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye out for automation and control systems conferences or networking events happening nearby. Attend these gatherings to meet potential clients or collaborators face-to-face—plus, it’s a chance to keep up with industry trends that can inform your freelance projects.
We think you need these skills to ace Freelance Automation Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Projects:When applying for a freelance role in automation control systems, it's all about showcasing your projects. Include detailed case studies or examples of past work in your portfolio that demonstrate your technical skills and innovative solutions, especially the ones that highlight your experience with control systems or automation processes relevant to JCW Group.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Get your certifications front and centre! Many clients in the automation and control systems field value industry-specific qualifications. Be sure to emphasise any relevant certificates you've earned that pertain to automation technologies or software; this can really help you stand out to JCW Group.
Include Your Rates and Availability:As a freelancer, transparency is key. In your application, clearly state your rates and your availability for projects. This allows JCW Group to assess if you’re a good fit for their budget and timelines without back-and-forth discussions.
Tailor Your CV Specifically to the Role:Your CV should be tailored for the automation control systems niche. Focus on sector-specific skills, such as familiarity with PLC programming, SCADA systems, and any relevant software. Make sure to adapt your experience to showcase how it aligns with the needs of JCW Group!
How to prepare for a job interview at JCW Group
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
Make sure you bring along a well-curated portfolio that highlights your past automation and control system projects. We want to showcase not just the final results but also the process, challenges, and solutions you implemented. This gives potential clients like JCW Group real insight into how you work and what you can deliver.
✨Get Ready for Technical Questions
In this field, you might be quizzed on specific automation tools and programming languages you’ve used. Brush up on common queries about PLCs, SCADA systems, or any relevant software like Siemens TIA Portal or Rockwell Automation. Being prepared to discuss these will certainly set you apart from other freelancers.
✨Understand Their Needs
Since you’ll be freelancing, it’s important to grasp what JCW Group actually requires beyond just the technical skills. Get a good grip on their current systems and any pain points they’re facing. Tailoring your proposal to show how you can resolve these issues will elevate your standing in the interview.
✨Be Transparent with Rates
Freelance roles are all about negotiation, so be upfront about your rates based on your experience and the value you bring. Be prepared to discuss not just your hourly rate but also project-based costs. We need to demonstrate flexibility while still ensuring you're fairly compensated for your expertise in automation-control systems.
