Automation Engineer

Job Title: Project & Automation Engineer (Food Manufacturing)

Salary: £50,000 – £60,000 DOE

Benefits: Extensive benefits package including AXA private medical cover, wellbeing and learning budgets and many more.

Location: Nottingham

Type: Permanent // Full Time

Shifts: Monday to Friday // 10am – 7pm with paid or TOIL weekend overtime

Overview:

The Flavour Network are supporting a unique and rapidly growing food manufacturer based in Nottingham in their search for a talented Project & Automation Engineer. This is an exciting opportunity for a hands-on, forward-thinking engineer to join a business at the forefront of innovation in high-care, fresh food production.

The business is investing heavily in its production capability, and the Project & Automation Engineer role offers the rare opportunity to lead bespoke automation projects, develop control systems, and have genuine input into the future of the operation as it scales nationally and internationally.

This is a fantastic role for someone who thrives on turning practical problems into smart, reliable solutions; with a mix of mechanical and electrical project work, PLC and HMI controls, and sensor-driven automation.

Key Responsibilities for the Project & Automation Engineer

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Deliver automation upgrades, controls improvements, and optimise production line configurations

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Lead or support the scoping, design, build, and commissioning of projects (from jigs to full production lines)

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Collaborate on new machinery installations, bespoke mechanical builds, and sensor-driven automation projects

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Play a key role in reducing downtime, increasing efficiency, and unlocking higher throughput

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Apply your controls and mechanical expertise to help develop the next generation of food production technology

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Work closely with Maintenance, Production, Technical, and Quality Assurance teams

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Mentor junior engineers and apprentices, supporting their development

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Opportunity to grow into a specialist or leadership role as the business scales

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Ownership of projects and continuous improvement initiatives

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Time Split: 60/40 or 50/50 mechanical to electrical work (dependent on your skill set)

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Proactive builds, upgrades, and automation improvement projects

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Problem-solving, design, CAD, control panel wiring, logic configuration, and system integration

Requirements for the Project & Automation Engineer

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Proven experience in an automation, controls, or project engineering role within a food, FMCG, or high-care manufacturing environment is essential.

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Awareness of food safety, hygiene, HACCP, and health & safety requirements within manufacturing

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Strong mechanical engineering knowledge and fabrication skills (MIG/TIG welding, cutting, drilling, etc.)

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Practical experience with control panels, VFDs, relays, PLCs, HMIs, and automation systems

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Confident in editing, programming, and troubleshooting PLC logic (ideally Siemens/Omron)

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Good understanding of sensor logic, wiring, and integration of automated systems

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Hands-on, proactive problem solver with a passion for building reliable, effective systems

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Clear communicator with the ability to collaborate across production, maintenance, and technical teams