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Automation Engineer - Fully Automated Facility

About the Role

As an Automation Engineer you will be the site Subject Matter Expert (SME) within the team, for all controls systems, maintenance engineering, sensors, PLCs, communication protocols, and automation for the site. You will work with the facilities and maintenance teams and colleagues to maintain and repair conveyance, automation and facilities equipment to support operations uptime and improve reliability of our systems.

Your Impact

As a Automation Maintenance Engineer, you'll be the backbone of our operations, ensuring critical automation systems run at peak performance 24/7. This isn't just maintenance - it's being the technical expert who keeps the nation eating.

• Drive the success of a cutting-edge automated distribution facility
• Shape the future of warehouse automation technology
• Ensure the day to day running of parcel sortation equipment

What You'll Do

THE ENGINEERING CHALLENGE

• Work in a hands-on manner to actively monitor, fault find and repair systems in order to provide a high level of equipment availability to internal customers.
• Perform preventive maintenance and routine inspections on assigned automation, robotics and control panels.
• Perform troubleshooting of assigned out of service equipment and correct issues, act as an escalation point for lower level technicians, and escalate to leadership and/or vendors as needed for additional troubleshooting.
• Document all work in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) and ticketing systems as appropriate.
• Mentor all maintenance personnel in developing appropriate skill sets and knowledge of equipment specializing in automation, controls and robotics.
• Lead root cause analysis of major downtime events.
• Act as a network resource for technical issues and lead network-wide root cause analysis.
• Develop maintenance personnel knowledge on intermediate to advanced automation, controls and robotics.
• Partner with engineering on commissioning of new controls systems.
• Audit vendor work to provide feedback to leadership on quality of work and SLA performance.
• Write and/or modify PMs to standardize across the network and increase effectiveness.

What You'll Bring

Essential Experience

• Electrical, Mechatronics or mechanical engineering qualifications (minimum ONC Electrical Engineering/NVQ Level 3 or equivalent)

• Experienced in Automation, Mechanical, or Maintenance Engineering, ideally within a manufacturing or production environment such as FMCG.
• Proficient in PLC-controlled systems and automated processes, including programming, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, and related control systems.
• Comfortable interpreting technical manuals, engineering drawings, and schematics to support diagnostics and solutions.
• Skilled in both reactive and preventative maintenance, with a track record of handling second-line escalations and completing CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) tasks.
• Adept in material handling systems, with exposure to flow analysis, capacity visualization, and process monitoring.
• A confident communicator and mentor, capable of coaching junior engineers and stepping in as proxy for senior automation engineers when required.
• Experienced in leading Root Cause Analysis, supporting CI (Continuous Improvement) initiatives, and familiar with DIQ and WMS systems.

Technical Skills

• Deep understanding of automation systems
• Experience in automated maintenance

What We Offer

• 70% off HelloFresh or Green Chef boxes
• Gym membership
• Bupa private medical insurance (including dental & family cover options)
• Electric vehicle scheme
• Free professional development and coaching memberships
• Mental health first aiders and an employee assistance programme
• Eye care scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Group Life Assurance

Join us in driving innovation and excellence in automated distribution technology

How to Apply:

For more information on the role, or an informal discussion regarding opportunities we have available, please contact [email protected]

Why work with Proactive?

Proactive Technical Recruitment is an industry leading, specialist engineering recruitment agency focused on the automation, manufacturing and robotics sectors. We offer specialist recruitment services to a niche customer base, vetting that our clients offer the best opportunities for your career. Proactive encourages and promotes equality and diversity within the workforce. We act with honesty, integrity and impartiality, ensuring your application is considered on its own merits and without bias.

When registering with Proactive you will have the opportunity to apply for some of the most interesting, specialist, opportunities in the marketplace, with the biggest companies in the sector. Follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook for industry news and download our app for live notifications about newly listed vacancies. We look forward to helping you find your next role!

Proactive Global is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.
Proactive Global is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.