Principal Automation Engineer in Manchester

Principal Automation Engineer in Manchester

Manchester Full-Time 54000 - 66000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead automation projects in the oil & gas industry, ensuring technical and safety requirements are met.
  • Company: Worley, a global leader in energy and resources, driving innovation and sustainability.
  • Benefits: Empowering culture, diverse opportunities, and a focus on career growth in sustainable energy.
  • Other info: Join a diverse team committed to reskilling and creating a respectful workplace.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the transition to sustainable energy while advancing your career.
  • Qualifications: Extensive experience in automation, DCS systems, and project management in relevant industries.

The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.

Worley is a global professional services company of energy, chemicals and resources experts headquartered in Australia. Right now, we’re bridging two worlds as we accelerate to more sustainable energy sources, while helping our customers provide the energy, chemicals and resources that society needs now.

We partner with our customers to deliver projects and create value over the life of their portfolio of assets. We solve complex problems by finding integrated data-centric solutions from the first stages of consulting and engineering to installation and commissioning, to the last stages of decommissioning and remediation. Join us and help drive innovation and sustainability in our projects.

Role Context:

An experienced Automation Engineer to lead and coordinate Automation activities on a long-standing Master Service Agreement in the Oil & Gas industry (downstream), acting as the key focal point for stakeholders and vendors. Responsible for ensuring all technical, safety, commercial, and schedule requirements are met while supporting successful system integration and plant operations.

You will be:

  • Leading and being accountable for the delivery, execution and performance of automation projects including upgrades/migrations as well as new installations.
  • Overseeing a number of concurrent projects, such as:
    • Honeywell DCS and FSC to Safety Manager migration
    • PLC replacements (various manufacturers)
  • Site surveying to identify cutover methods suitable for the plant outages and manual operation modes available.
  • Determining new project requirements and developing comprehensive estimates (manhours & materials) with support from Automation & C&I engineers.
  • Leading the FEED process (engineering work requests, deliverable structure, testing & cutover strategy).
  • Prioritising activities and projects based on business needs and resource availability.
  • Reviewing and approving DCS / PLC proposals with vendors and integrators.
  • Reviewing and approving EC&I and OEM detailed design documentation.
  • Leading multi-disciplinary design review meetings with Client, EPC and OEM subject matter experts.
  • Creating and maintaining project schedules and resource planning.
  • Providing progress reporting to portfolio management.
  • Developing Control Narratives from P&IDs, Operations procedures and/or reverse-engineering PLC / DCS configuration.
  • Developing FAT, SAT and plant commissioning procedures.
  • Coordinating site commissioning activities.

Qualifications:

You will have:

  • Extensive industry experience in the oil & gas, process, utilities or pharmaceutical industries.
  • Brownfield experience is essential.
  • Strong knowledge of DCS systems and Functional Safety ’SIS’ implementations in project FEED, detailed design and commissioning phases.
  • Experience with various PLC platforms and their integration.
  • Knowledge of electrical interfacing between automation systems and process industry actuators: process instrumentation, control valves, hydraulic servo controls, motor starters etc.
  • Knowledge of hazardous area classifications and protection requirements (ATEX).
  • Knowledge of communications protocols (Profibus, Modbus, Ethernet/IP).

Preferred Requirements:

  • Degree qualified in Electrical & Electronic, Instrumentation, Automation, Chemical or equivalent.
  • Experience in sequential (batch) automation design.
  • Knowledge of fiscal metering and truck loading (terminals).
  • EEMUA 191 Alarm Management standard.
  • IEC61508 / 61511 Functional Safety certified.

Skills & Attributes:

  • Client-focused approach to project delivery.
  • Self-motivated with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills.
  • Detail-oriented with strong organisational skills.
  • Strong technical troubleshooting abilities.
  • Ability to prioritise competing demands and projects.
  • Proficient in technical writing and documentation.

Moving Forward:

We want our people to be energized and empowered to drive sustainable impact. So, our focus is on a values-inspired culture that unlocks brilliance through belonging, connection and innovation. We’re building a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace. Creating a space where everyone feels they belong, can be themselves, and are heard. And we're not just talking about it; we're doing it. We're reskilling our people, leveraging transferable skills, and supporting the transition of our workforce to become experts in today's low carbon energy infrastructure and technology.

Whatever your ambition, there’s a path for you here. And there’s no barrier to your potential career success. Join us to broaden your horizons, explore diverse opportunities, and be part of delivering sustainable change.

Job Field: Instrumentation and Controls

Schedule: Full-time

Principal Automation Engineer in Manchester employer: Worley

Worley is an exceptional employer that prioritises a values-inspired culture, fostering belonging, connection, and innovation among its diverse workforce. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we offer reskilling opportunities and pathways for career advancement in the evolving low carbon energy sector. Located in North Wales, our site-based role as a Lead Workface Planner provides a unique chance to lead impactful projects while being part of a collaborative team dedicated to delivering sustainable change.

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Contact Details:

Worley Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Automation Engineer in Manchester

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 Worley!

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 Principal Automation Engineer position at Worley, 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 Worley 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 Principal Automation Engineer role at Worley!

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Automation Engineer in Manchester

Automation Engineering
Project Management
DCS Systems Knowledge
Functional Safety Implementation
PLC Integration
Electrical Interfacing
Hazardous Area Classifications

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 Worley 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 Worley

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 Worley.

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 Worley, 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.