Automation Engineer

AUTOMATION ENGINEER

Job Title – Automation Engineer
Location – Cardiff
Salary – £55,000 – £60,000 (DOE)
Shift – Monday to Friday (8:00am – 4:00pm + call-out support)

Job Role of the Automation Engineer

A rare and exciting opportunity has become available for an Automation Engineer to join a highly automated, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. This is a standalone specialist role where you will take full ownership of all automation systems on site, making it ideal for a driven engineer looking to step into a position with real autonomy and impact.

The company has invested heavily into its production capabilities and operates across 14 production lines, supplying major retailers and global brands. This is a fantastic opportunity to work in a fast-paced FMCG environment where you will play a key role in improving reliability, reducing downtime, and driving continuous improvement across automation systems.

You will be responsible for PLC systems, robotics, vision systems, and overall control architecture, ensuring optimal performance and standardisation across site.

Sector – Factory Automation / FMCG Manufacturing

Non-Negotiable Requirements of the Automation Engineer

• Strong experience with PLC systems within a manufacturing environment
• Experience ina PLC or Automation engineering position 

Desirable Requirements for the Automation Engineer

• Hands-on experience with Allen Bradley PLCs (ControlLogix, CompactLogix)
• Experience supporting and fault-finding on robotics and automation systems
• Strong understanding of control systems, integration, and industrial networks
• Experience with Siemens, Omron, or Mitsubishi PLCs
• Experience with robotics (ABB, Fanuc, Mitsubishi)
• Experience with vision systems (Keyence, Thingtrax)
• Experience integrating PLCs with SCADA/MES systems

Key Responsibilities

• Own and maintain all PLC systems across site
• Support and optimise robotics and vision systems
• Lead fault finding and root cause analysis
• Develop and enforce PLC programming standards
• Manage backups and version control processes
• Integrate systems with SCADA/MES for data and OEE reporting
• Support capital projects from design through to commissioning
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and IT teams
• Ensure compliance with machine safety standards
• Coach and support engineers to improve automation capability

The Automation Engineer will benefit from:

• Working for a market-leading FMCG manufacturing business
• High level of autonomy in a specialist role
• Competitive salary package (£55,000 – £60,000)
• Benefits including pension, maternity/paternity, and death in service
• Opportunity to work with advanced automation and robotics
• Long-term stability within a well-established organisation