Automation Project Engineer in London

Salary: £50,000.00 - £55,000.00 depending on experience.

Benefits:

• Potential, discretionary annual bonus.
• Generous pension scheme – up to 12% contribution from Nestle.
• 12 flexible days on top of 25‑day holiday entitlement.
• A focus on personal development and growth.
• 2 paid volunteering days.

Business Area: Nestle Beverage

Location: Dalston, Cumbria

We are recruiting for an Automation Project Engineer at our Dalston Factory due to some exciting projects coming to the site. This is a permanent opportunity which will report into the Project Engineering Manager.

The Nestlé Dalston Factory, which is the home of Nescafe and produces a range of Cappuccino, Aero and Coffee mate products. These are produced through a highly automated PLC controlled process plant and automated filling and packing lines. It is continually developing our recipes and expanding our leading brands.

Your impact: Ultimately, you will be responsible for supporting the design, installation, commissioning, of capital investment projects on site and support the start‑up lead with the start‑up phase of the project, within the defined scope of responsibility or specialisation. Your focus in this role will be on Automation projects on site as we look to move forward with our digitisation plans.

You will ensure that the engineering side of projects have been implemented (e.g. buildings, equipment installations, piping, utilities, etc.) in accordance with the defined timing, cost and quality, the URS and the characteristics of a unit operation.

Your ingredients for success: To be successful in this key role we expect you to be an experienced Automation Engineer and preferably have experience working in a FMCG manufacturing environment. Experience managing and/or working on CapEx projects will be essential.

Other key attributes we are looking for are:

• Ideally degree educated in an Electrical or Automation field and / or completion of a recognised apprenticeship.
• Experience in PLC programming will also be essential in this role.
• Technical knowledge and practical experience of working within Health & Safety legislation (PUWER CDM etc).
• Strong stakeholder management experience.
• Openness and curiosity for dynamic and future trends in technology, new business ideas and opportunities.
• Willingness to accept change and the ability to manage it.
• Continuous Improvement mindset.

What You Need To Know:

Advert posting date: 18/02/2026

Advert closing date: 04/03/2026

We will be considering candidates as they apply and we will occasionally close job advertisements early in the event we receive sufficient applicants, so please don’t delay in submitting your application.

At Nestlé, our values are rooted in respect and we believe that embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive environment allows everyone to reach their full potential and drives innovative thinking. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of all gender identities, ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities, parents, carers and members of the LGBT+ community. Please let us know if we can provide accommodations to ensure your full participation in the application process.

Right to work in the UK: In accordance with Home Office guidance successful candidates will be required to evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. We have assessed this role and do not consider that we would be able to sponsor a successful candidate under the Skilled Worker route as the role does not meet the relevant Home Office criteria; the successful candidate therefore must be able to demonstrate their own right to work during the recruitment process without Nestlé sponsorship.