At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive automation projects from concept to production in a hands-on role.
- Company: Join a leading UK manufacturer supporting the British Armed Forces.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, and excellent career development.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team with a commitment to innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on advanced manufacturing and automation solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience in automation, robotics, and problem-solving required.
Want to take automation from concept to production? If you're an experienced Automation Engineer who enjoys getting involved at every stage—from identifying opportunities and specifying equipment through to commissioning, programming and continuous improvement—this could be an excellent opportunity to make a real impact.
You'll join a growing UK manufacturer, part of a global engineering group supplying specialist equipment to the British Armed Forces. With more than 100 years of engineering heritage and continued investment in advanced manufacturing, you'll play a key role in developing the next generation of automated welding and assembly capability.
This is a hands-on role where you'll work closely with Engineering, Production, Quality and Maintenance, helping introduce new automation while continuously improving the performance, quality and efficiency of existing manufacturing processes.
What's on Offer
- Competitive salary
- 4% employee / 7% employer pension contribution
- Half-day Friday
- 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays, with additional long-service rewards
- Life Assurance
- Company sick pay, increasing with service
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Wellbeing initiatives, including free fruit
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Free on-site parking
- On-site EV charging points
- Excellent career development within a global defence engineering organisation
The Role
This is a varied hands-on Automation Engineering position focused on developing and implementing automated welding and assembly solutions across complex manufacturing operations. You'll identify where automation can improve productivity, quality and repeatability, then help take projects from initial concept and business case through equipment specification, installation, commissioning and production. You'll also get involved in robot programming, PLC/HMI troubleshooting, process optimisation, NPI and continuous improvement, making this an ideal role for an engineer who wants to combine technical expertise with practical problem-solving.
What You'll Be Doing
- Automation & Capital Projects
- Identify opportunities to introduce automation across hull welding and bridge fabrication.
- Develop technical specifications for robotic welding cells, CNC equipment and automated material handling systems.
- Support capital investment proposals through cost-benefit and ROI analysis.
- Lead installation, commissioning and Site Acceptance Testing of new automated equipment.
- Work with suppliers, Engineering, Production and Maintenance teams to deliver projects successfully.
- Programming & Process Optimisation
- Develop and optimise robot programmes for complex welding applications.
- Work with Off-Line Programming (OLP) to reduce production downtime during NPI.
- Troubleshoot PLC logic, HMI interfaces and automated systems.
- Improve cycle times, build hours, quality and overall equipment performance.
- Develop effective jigging, fixturing and alignment processes to improve dimensional stability.
- Continuous Improvement
- Analyse production data to identify bottlenecks, waste and opportunities for improvement.
- Apply Lean Manufacturing and structured problem-solving techniques.
- Reduce scrap and improve first-time-right performance.
- Support root-cause analysis across Production, Quality and Maintenance.
- Mentor operators in basic robot intervention and safe operation.
- Continuously look for ways to improve manufacturing efficiency and reduce build hours per product.
- Process & Safety
- Develop SOPs and technical documentation for automated manufacturing processes.
- Conduct FMEAs and support robust risk management.
- Ensure automated equipment complies with relevant EHS, CE/UKCA and PUWER requirements.
- Support safe, repeatable and controlled manufacturing processes.
- Provide Design for Manufacture input during early-stage product development.
About You
You'll probably already be working as an:
- Automation Engineer
- Manufacturing Automation Engineer
- Robotics Engineer
- Controls Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer with significant automation experience
- Welding Automation Engineer
You'll be someone who enjoys getting hands-on with technology and solving manufacturing problems, rather than simply managing automation projects from a distance. You'll ideally have:
- HND/HNC or Degree in Manufacturing, Engineering, Mechatronics or a related discipline.
- Proven experience working with industrial automation in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience programming industrial robots and working with PLCs.
- Practical experience of commissioning and integrating automated equipment.
- Experience of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement.
- Understanding of NPI, process planning and manufacturing optimisation.
- Ability to analyse production data and use it to drive improvements.
- Good understanding of relevant Health, Safety and Environmental requirements.
- Strong MS Office skills.
Desirable
- Experience with robotic welding or automated assembly.
- Off-Line Programming (OLP) experience.
- PRINCE2, Agile, PMP or similar project management qualification.
- Lean/Six Sigma Green or Black Belt.
- Experience working with large-scale manufacturing equipment.
- Experience with FMEA and structured problem solving.
- Experience working with heavy steel/armour or aluminium fabrication.
Why Apply?
This isn't simply a role where you'll maintain existing automation. You'll have the opportunity to help shape how advanced manufacturing is carried out, identifying new opportunities, specifying and commissioning equipment, programming robots, solving production problems and delivering measurable improvements. You'll work on technically challenging manufacturing programmes supporting the UK defence industry, while having the backing of an established global engineering organisation. If you're an Automation Engineer who wants to see your ideas move from concept → equipment → commissioning → production, we'd love to hear from you.
Full job description available on request. Our client is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. All applications will be considered. If you would like to learn more, please apply or contact Tim Hill at Technical Placements for an initial confidential discussion.
Automation Engineer in Heaton Chapel employer: Technical Placements Ltd
Technical Placements Ltd is an excellent employer, offering CNC Machinists a rewarding opportunity to work in a supportive and dynamic environment in Wigston. With competitive pay, potential bonuses, and paid holidays, employees benefit from a strong work-life balance and the chance to develop their skills in a growing industry. The company fosters a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Automation Engineer in Heaton Chapel
✨Get Involved in Local Automation Meetups
We can’t stress this enough – getting your face out there in the automation and control systems community can really set you apart. Look for local meetups or workshops where you can chat with industry professionals, learn about what’s trending, and even discover hidden job gems. Who knows, you might meet someone from a company like Technical Placements Ltd!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Make sure you have a portfolio of your work ready to roll. Whether it’s academic projects, internships or personal experiments, showcase how you’ve tackled automation challenges. When you apply for the Automation Engineer position at Technical Placements Ltd, linking your portfolio gives your application that extra oomph and demonstrates your practical knowledge.
✨Leverage Your Uni Career Services
If you’re fresh out of uni, don’t forget about your career services! Many universities have established connections with companies in the automation field. They may know when Technical Placements Ltd is looking for fresh talent or even have internships that lead to full-time positions. So, hit them up!
✨Keep an Eye on Industry Certifications
While hunting for roles, consider getting certified in relevant automation technologies. It shows dedication and gives you a leg up in the job market. Plus, many organisations offer job boards or networking events to certified professionals. This might just lead you to that coveted Automation Engineer role at Technical Placements Ltd!
We think you need these skills to ace Automation Engineer in Heaton Chapel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for an automation-control-systems role, it’s crucial to highlight your technical skills. Whether it's your proficiency in programming languages like Python or understanding control systems, make sure your CV showcases these prominently. Don't forget to mention any specific software or tools you're experienced with – that’s music to the ears of hiring managers!
Tailor Your Projects to Automation:If you've worked on any relevant projects, especially those involving automation or control systems, make them stand out in your CV. Use a dedicated section to highlight these projects, explaining your role and the impact of your contributions. This could be the difference between getting noticed and getting overlooked!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tell us why you’re passionate about automation-control-systems! Discuss specific experiences that sparked your interest in this field. Maybe it's a university project or a previous job that truly got you hooked. We love seeing that spark! Make sure to reference how you can contribute to Technical Placements Ltd and its goals.
Quantify Your Achievements:In the world of automation, results matter. When listing your experiences, quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you improve system efficiency by a percentage? Did you reduce downtime? Putting numbers to your successes not only demonstrates your impact but also lets us see the tangible outcomes of your efforts. It makes your application pop!
How to prepare for a job interview at Technical Placements Ltd
✨Master Your Technical Knowledge
In the automation control systems field, you need to brush up on your technical know-how. Be prepared to talk about specific control systems you’ve worked with, such as PLCs or SCADA systems, and expect technical questions or even hands-on problem-solving scenarios during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Whether it's freelance projects or your academic work, come ready to showcase your portfolio of automation projects. Bring along any diagrams, code samples, or automation solutions you’ve implemented—these can really set you apart and demonstrate your applied skills to Technical Placements Ltd.
✨Understand Industry Trends
Stay updated on the latest trends in automation technologies and methodologies, like Industry 4.0 or IIoT. We'll want to discuss how these concepts may affect the role and future projects at Technical Placements Ltd, so showing that you're knowledgeable about current and emerging technologies can give you an edge.
✨Commit to Continuous Learning
As this is a full-time role, it's essential to express your eagerness for continuous improvement and learning. Share how you plan to enhance your skills and keep pace with the evolution of automation in the workforce – companies love candidates who are committed to growth and adaptability.
