Senior Automation Engineer

Own the controls. Lead the team. Build something that matters.Read the overview of this opportunity to understand what skills, including and relevant soft skills and software package proficiencies, are required.Our client is a long-established, highly respected machine builder with over 115 years of engineering heritage, specialising in custom, modular printing and decorating machinery. Driven by rapid growth — particularly within their three-dimensional medical device printing machine division — they are seeking a Senior Automation Design Engineer to take a leading role in the design and delivery of their automation and control systems.This is a hands-on, senior technical position with genuine influence over the direction of the engineering function. You will own automation projects end-to-end: from conceptual modelling at the bidding stage, through full electrical design, and into manufacture, build and commissioning. This role suits a strong controls engineer who wants to help shape and lead an engineering team, not simply execute assigned tasks.Reporting into engineering leadership, you will lead an established team of two controls engineers, with the opportunity to develop, mentor and grow the team as the division continues to expand. Cultural fit is valued as highly as technical skill — our client is looking for a collaborative, dependable engineer who wants to be part of building something long-term.Key ResponsibilitiesCreate PLC programs from concept to completion, written from scratch within the Allen-Bradley / Rockwell ecosystem (Studio 5000, Ladder Logic)Develop servo motion control, including programming and tuning Rockwell Kinetix servo drives and creating motion profiles using Studio 5000 MotionProduce and interpret electrical wiring schematics in AutoCAD Electrical, and design electrical enclosure layoutsConfigure HMI and visualisation systems using Allen-Bradley PanelView and FactoryTalkOwn projects from initial concept and bid-stage modelling through detailed design, manufacture, build and completionProgram AC drives (e.g. Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 525) and carry out servo motor debugging and initial programmingCreate Functional Design Specifications (FDS) and Bills of Materials for electrical enclosure components (PLCs, HMIs, terminals, drives, power supplies, relays, sensors, breakers, main disconnects, servo drives and motors, etc.)Select and integrate field devices — photo eyes, proximity and laser sensors, and encoders — and program them to interface with AC and servo motorsDesign Ethernet layouts and configure IP addressing for system componentsApply machine safety requirements throughout design and buildCreate or modify pneumatic schematics as requiredRequired Skills & ExperienceAutoCAD Electrical (2020–2023)Allen-Bradley PLC programming in Studio 5000CompactLogix and ControlLogixAllen-Bradley PanelView / FactoryTalk visualisationKinetix 5500 and Kinetix 5700 servo drivesStudio 5000 MotionDemonstrated ability to write PLC programs from scratch in Ladder Logic, from concept to completionExperience programming AC drives (e.g. Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 525)Servo motor debugging and initial programming, including motion profile logicExperience creating Functional Design Specifications (FDS) and electrical BOMsWorking knowledge of machine safety requirementsExperience selecting and integrating photo eyes, proximity and laser sensors, and encodersExperience creating Ethernet layouts and IP address configurationsWhat We're Looking ForA genuinely hands-on engineer who is comfortable close to the build, not purely desk-based. A collaborative team player who takes ownership of projects from start to finish, and who has an interest in developing leadership skills and growing a team over time. xhyhwjd Most importantly, someone motivated to be part of a growing, established business.