At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and maintain PLC programs, integrate industrial devices, and troubleshoot systems.
- Company: Join OAL, a leading family business in automation for the food industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, 25 days holiday, and ongoing training.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with genuine career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Work on innovative automation projects and influence future technology development.
- Qualifications: Experience with PLC programming and industrial communication protocols.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
OAL is looking for an Automation & Systems Engineer to join the team developing our next-generation end-of-line automation platform. This role is a broad and hands-on engineering role at the intersection of PLC controls, industrial automation, and systems integration. You will be equally comfortable developing PLC logic as troubleshooting communication interfaces between PLCs, Ignition gateways, vision systems, printers, and connected industrial devices. Working alongside our Ignition Software Engineer and wider automation team, you will contribute to the development of a scalable end-of-line solution built around Beckhoff and Rockwell PLC architectures alongside an Ignition-based software platform. This role offers the opportunity to work on innovative automation technology within a collaborative engineering environment where your technical input and ideas will directly influence future system development.
What you will be doing
- PLC software development: Develop and maintain PLC programs using Beckhoff (TwinCAT 3) and/or Rockwell (Studio 5000) platforms within the established control architecture.
- Systems integration: Integrate industrial subsystems including printers, Cognex vision systems, scanners, and other end-of-line peripherals into the wider automation platform.
- Industrial communications: Define, configure, and maintain communication interfaces between PLCs, Ignition, and connected industrial devices using protocols such as OPC-UA, EtherNet/IP, TCP/IP, and serial communications.
- Commissioning and fault finding: Support commissioning activities and technical troubleshooting both remotely and on customer sites.
- Cross-functional engineering collaboration: Work closely with software, controls, and project engineers to ensure strong integration between the control layer, SCADA systems, and wider automation architecture.
- Hardware and system improvement: Contribute to the review, selection, and continuous improvement of automation hardware and control system components.
- Engineering documentation: Support the creation and maintenance of technical documentation including functional design specifications, I/O schedules, network diagrams, and system documentation.
What we are looking for
Essential skills and experience:
- Proven PLC programming experience using Beckhoff (TwinCAT 3), Rockwell (Studio 5000), or both.
- Practical experience integrating industrial devices and subsystems.
- Strong understanding of industrial communication protocols including serial communications, TCP/IP, OPC-UA, and EtherNet/IP.
- Ability to read and work from electrical schematics and panel drawings.
- Methodical and practical approach to fault finding across hardware, software, and communications.
- Comfortable working within an established engineering architecture and collaborative team environment.
Advantageous experience:
- Familiarity with Inductive Automation's Ignition platform.
- Experience integrating Cognex vision systems or industrial marking and labelling printers.
- Exposure to end-of-line manufacturing processes including labelling, serialisation, checkweighing, or vision inspection.
- HNC, HND, degree, or equivalent experience within electrical, electronic, automation, or control systems engineering.
Why join OAL?
- Opportunity to work on innovative automation and industrial integration projects.
- Be part of the development of a next-generation end-of-line platform.
- Collaborative engineering environment with experienced technical teams.
- Exposure to advanced industrial automation technologies.
- Opportunity to contribute ideas and influence technical development.
- Fast-paced and supportive SME environment.
- Ongoing training and professional development support.
- Genuine long-term career opportunities within a growing business.
Salary and benefits:
- Competitive salary.
- Pension scheme.
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Ongoing training and professional development.
- Funded development opportunities relevant to the role.
- Career progression opportunities within a growing business.
About OAL: OAL helps food manufacturers automate. Based in Peterborough, we are an innovative family business providing automation and system integration services to the food industry. We are recognised as a market leader in digital transformation, label and date code verification, and robotic powder weighing solutions. As a growing SME, we offer genuine opportunities within a fast-paced and supportive environment. If you are passionate about industrial automation, controls engineering, and systems integration, we would love to hear from you.
Automation & Systems Engineer in Peterborough employer: OAL
OAL is an exceptional employer for those seeking to advance their careers in automation and systems engineering. Located in Peterborough, we foster a collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and technical input, providing employees with the opportunity to work on cutting-edge projects within a supportive SME environment. With ongoing training, professional development, and genuine career progression opportunities, OAL is committed to nurturing talent and ensuring a rewarding work experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Automation & Systems Engineer in Peterborough
✨Tip Number 1
Get your networking game on! Reach out to current employees at OAL or in the automation field. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got any projects or experiences that highlight your PLC programming or systems integration expertise, make sure to discuss them in interviews. Real-world examples can set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical questions! Brush up on your knowledge of communication protocols like OPC-UA and EtherNet/IP. Being able to confidently discuss these topics will show you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the OAL team.
We think you need these skills to ace Automation & Systems Engineer in Peterborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your PLC Skills:Make sure to highlight your experience with PLC programming, especially with Beckhoff and Rockwell platforms. We want to see how you've tackled real-world challenges in automation, so share specific examples!
Talk About Integration Experience:We love a good systems integration story! If you've worked with industrial devices like printers or vision systems, let us know how you brought everything together. This will show us you're ready for the hands-on nature of the role.
Be Clear on Communication Protocols:Since communication is key in this role, make sure to mention your familiarity with protocols like OPC-UA and EtherNet/IP. We want to know how you've used these in past projects, so don't hold back!
Keep It Professional but Personal:While we appreciate a professional tone, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. We’re looking for someone who fits into our collaborative environment, so a bit of your unique flair can go a long way. And remember, apply through our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at OAL
✨Know Your PLCs Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Beckhoff (TwinCAT 3) and Rockwell (Studio 5000) platforms. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've developed or maintained PLC programs, as this will show your hands-on experience and technical prowess.
✨Master the Communication Protocols
Familiarise yourself with industrial communication protocols like OPC-UA, EtherNet/IP, and TCP/IP. Prepare to explain how you've defined, configured, and maintained these interfaces in past roles, as this will demonstrate your ability to integrate various industrial devices seamlessly.
✨Showcase Your Troubleshooting Skills
Be ready to share examples of how you've approached fault finding across hardware, software, and communications. Discuss specific challenges you've faced and how you methodically resolved them, as this will highlight your practical problem-solving abilities.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
Since this role involves working closely with cross-functional teams, think of examples that showcase your collaborative spirit. Be prepared to discuss how you've worked with software, controls, and project engineers to ensure strong integration within an established engineering architecture.
