At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop and maintain PLC programs, integrate industrial subsystems, and troubleshoot communication interfaces.
- Company: Innovative family business leading in automation for the food industry.
- Benefits: Ongoing training, career progression, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Fast-paced SME environment with genuine long-term career opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a collaborative team and influence the future of automation technology.
- Qualifications: Experience with PLC programming and industrial communication protocols required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
OAL is looking for an Automation & Systems Engineer to join the team developing our next-generation end-of-line automation platform. This is a broad and hands-on engineering role sitting at the intersection of PLC controls, industrial automation, and systems integration. You will be equally comfortable developing PLC logic as you are 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.
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain PLC programs using Beckhoff (TwinCAT 3) and/or Rockwell (Studio 5000) platforms within the established control architecture.
- Integrate industrial subsystems including printers, Cognex vision systems, scanners, and other end-of-line peripherals into the wider automation platform.
- 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.
- Support commissioning activities and technical troubleshooting both remotely and on customer sites.
- Work closely with software, controls, and project engineers to ensure strong integration between the control layer, SCADA systems, and wider automation architecture.
- Contribute to the review, selection, and continuous improvement of automation hardware and control system components.
- Support the creation and maintenance of technical documentation including functional design specifications, I/O schedules, network diagrams, and system documentation.
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.
- 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.
Be part of the development of a next-generation end-of-line platform in a collaborative engineering environment with experienced technical teams. You will have exposure to advanced industrial automation technologies and the opportunity to contribute ideas and influence technical development. We offer a fast-paced and supportive SME environment with ongoing training and professional development support, as well as genuine long-term career 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: Olympus Automation Limited
OAL is an excellent employer for those seeking a dynamic role in automation and systems engineering, particularly within the innovative food manufacturing sector in Peterborough. With a strong focus on employee growth, OAL offers ongoing training, professional development, and genuine career progression opportunities in a collaborative and supportive environment. Join a market leader in digital transformation and be part of a team where your ideas will directly influence the future of automation technology.
Contact Details:
Olympus Automation Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Automation & Systems Engineer in Peterborough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend meetups, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your PLC programming projects and any systems integration work you've done. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common technical questions related to Beckhoff and Rockwell platforms. Practice explaining your troubleshooting process and how you approach systems integration challenges.
✨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 our team at OAL.
We think you need these skills to ace Automation & Systems Engineer in Peterborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Automation & Systems Engineer role. Highlight your PLC programming experience and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Showcase Your Experience:In your cover letter, don’t just list your qualifications; tell us about your hands-on experience with systems integration and troubleshooting. Share specific examples that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Use bullet points for key achievements and avoid jargon unless it's relevant to the role. We appreciate straightforward communication that gets to the point!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Olympus Automation Limited
✨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.
✨Showcase Your Integration Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully integrated industrial devices and subsystems in the past. Highlight your familiarity with communication protocols like OPC-UA and EtherNet/IP, as well as any troubleshooting experiences you've had with these systems.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Expect to dive deep into technical discussions during the interview. Brush up on your understanding of electrical schematics and panel drawings, and be prepared to explain your methodical approach to fault finding across hardware and software.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with cross-functional teams, think of examples that showcase your collaborative spirit. Discuss how you've worked with software, controls, and project engineers to ensure strong integration within an engineering environment.
