Controls & Automation Engineer
Location: Liverpool
Salary: Circa £55,000
Permanent | Full Time | Flexible Day Shift | 40 hours per week
Sector: Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Food Manufacturing or Process Manufacturing
Key Responsibilities
- Take technical ownership of control, automation and instrumentation systems, with a main focus on controls and automation.
- Provide technical support across PLC, SCADA, MES, process control and instrumentation systems.
- Identify root causes of technical issues and implement sustainable solutions.
- Manage engineering improvement projects from concept and CAPEX through equipment selection, installation support, commissioning and handover.
- Review technical designs, specifications and drawings.
- Support powder-blending and pilot-plant projects, including design review, installation support and commissioning.
- Work with suppliers, contractors and system integrators to deliver projects effectively.
- Improve OEE and manufacturing performance through automation, controls and systems integration.
- Maintain technical documentation, SOPs and work instructions.
- Support and develop technicians as the site's EC&I capability grows.
- Work closely with process engineering, maintenance, operations, SHEQ and site leadership.
This is an engineering-led role, with installation and commissioning support rather than routine hands-on installation.
Projects & Future Development
- Powder-blending and pilot-plant developments.
- Process-control improvements.
- Manufacturing-system and MES integration.
- Recipe management and SCADA/plant-control integration.
- New equipment specification and commissioning.
- Increased automation and robotics.
Over the next 2-3 years, the business plans to significantly expand its automation and robotics capability, providing opportunities to influence technical standards, systems integration and project delivery.
There is also longer-term potential to progress into broader engineering or automation responsibilities, including opportunities supporting fluid sites across the UK and internationally.
About You
We are looking for an experienced EC&I Engineer with a strong controls and automation background and experience within a process-manufacturing environment.
Ideally, you will have:
- HNC or equivalent in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or a related discipline.
- Strong controls and automation experience.
- Experience with PLCs, VSDs, SCADA, instrumentation, calibration and MCCs.
- Experience with Siemens and Allen-Bradley systems.
- Exposure to AVEVA, SCADA and MES.
- Experience integrating manufacturing systems, process controls and external systems.
- Experience managing engineering projects, suppliers and technical documentation.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work with technicians, engineers, operators and senior stakeholders.
- Experience within chemical, pharmaceutical, food or other process-manufacturing environments is particularly desirable. Candidates from transferable sectors such as oil & gas or energy from waste will also be considered where they have strong process-control experience.
- Knowledge of FMEA, RCM, LEAN, 6S or visual management would be advantageous.
Benefits
- £55,000 circa salary
- 25 days' holiday, with the option to buy or sell additional days.
- Discretionary bonus scheme.
- Life insurance.
- Medical insurance, with options for health cash plan, dental and travel insurance.
- Cycle-to-work scheme.
- Green car scheme with free on-site EV charging.
- 8% employer pension contribution.
- Genuine career-development opportunities within a successful international business.
Controls & Automation Engineer in Liverpool employer: Technical Partners
Join a leading engineering consultancy that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a flexible 95% home-based working arrangement. With competitive salaries, annual performance bonuses, and opportunities to work on high-profile projects in the energy sector, this role as a C&I Commissioning Engineer provides a supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation. You'll have the chance to develop your skills while making a meaningful impact on major infrastructure projects across the UK.
