Automation Engineer (Manufacturing)

Location: Based at the Chesterfield manufacturing plant, with visits to the Bradford site, UK and European plants, suppliers, and customers.

Company

hirify.global Chesterfield manufactures durable, recyclable composite paperboard cans for food and powdered beverage products.

What you will do

• Improve the efficiency, reliability, safety, quality, and waste performance of plant manufacturing processes through automation.
• Provide daily technical support across electrical, mechanical, automation, IT systems, production equipment, and machine controls.
• Configure and program Siemens and Allen Bradley PLCs, HMIs, drives, servo systems, robotic programs, automatic machines, and conveyor systems.
• Run automation projects, including equipment upgrades, hardware design, commissioning, factory acceptance testing, system testing, and operator training.
• Troubleshoot breakdowns, identify root causes, implement corrective improvements, and maintain software, robotics solutions, backups, and technical documentation.
• Lead automation and continuous-improvement activities across the Chesterfield and Bradford sites while coordinating with manufacturing, engineering, suppliers, sister plants, and other stakeholders.

Requirements

• HNC or degree qualification in Electrical Engineering.
• Proven knowledge and experience with Siemens S5 and S7, Allen Bradley systems, drives, inverters, and programming.
• Experience in an FMCG manufacturing environment and in process control or engineering roles.
• Capability in structured problem solving, such as 8D, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, UPS, or A3.
• Ability to analyse complex data, prioritise activities, communicate effectively, and train or coach engineers.
• Willingness to travel within the UK and Europe and provide onsite support at manufacturing locations.

Nice to have

• Master’s or bachelor’s degree in a technical, manufacturing, or science subject.
• Electrically biased, multiskilled engineering background.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt qualification or equivalent.
• Experience with Profinet, Profibus, ASI bus, CAN bus, AutoCAD/CAD systems, and electrical documentation.

Culture & Benefits

• Collaborative work with manufacturing, engineering, warehouse, supply chain, suppliers, sister plants, and operational staff.
• Opportunity to mentor shift engineers, process improvement engineers, apprentices, and other engineering personnel.
• Practical focus on continuous improvement, machine safety, problem solving, equipment reliability, and waste reduction.
• Exposure to new technologies, new product introductions, machine installations, and manufacturing process upgrades.