Automation Engineer

?? Automation Engineer Aberystwyth Circa £55,000 DOE Yolk Recruitment is exclusively representing an established food manufacturer in the search for an Automation Engineer to strengthen its site capability. This is a rare opportunity for an engineer with SCADA, controls, or industrial automation expertise to take ownership of fault-finding and system reliability within a high-volume production environment. The vacancy is planned around a weekday afternoon shift, extending engineering automation support across a greater portion of the operating day while avoiding a traditional rotating shift pattern.

What You'll Do:
Maintain, monitor, and troubleshoot site SCADA and industrial automation systems Respond to controls failures, system interruptions, and automation-related production issues Identify the root causes of faults and restore equipment to safe operation as efficiently as possible Maintain existing controls infrastructure rather than focusing primarily on developing entirely new systems Support PLC, drive, inverter, sensor, and wider control-system fault-finding, according to your experience Provide hands-on electrical and mechanical engineering support when production machinery requires attention Complete planned preventive maintenance alongside automation-focused responsibilities Work closely with production teams and the wider engineering department to improve reliability and reduce downtime Share knowledge with colleagues and learn from a highly experienced on-site SCADA specialist Maintain accurate records of faults, repairs, and scheduled work through the site maintenance system Operate in accordance with stringent health, safety, hygiene, and food manufacturing standards What You'll Bring:
Experience working with SCADA, PLC-controlled machinery, or industrial automation systems Strong diagnostic and fault-finding skills within a live production or process environment The ability to investigate existing code, controls, and system parameters when equipment stops or behaves unexpectedly A practical engineering background and the willingness to work directly on machinery when required Electrical engineering knowledge, ideally supported by a relevant qualification or apprenticeship

Experience with in food, beverage, FMCG, pharmaceutical, process manufacturing or another regulated environment would be advantageous A calm, logical and methodical approach to complex technical issues Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively with engineers, operators, and production colleagues A genuine interest in developing broader controls, electrical and maintenance expertise Why You Should Apply:
Automation engineers are often expected to choose between highly specialised controls work and general maintenance.

This role offers a balance of both. You will be the automation-focused member of the team, concentrating on SCADA and control's reliability while remaining close to the machinery and production process. The planned hours are based around a Monday-to-Friday afternoon shift. The precise working pattern will be agreed around site coverage requirements, with the qualification call discussing an approximate afternoon start and finish around midnight rather than a permanent overnight pattern.

Other engineers remain on site until 10:00pm, and the facility continues operating with wider production staffing beyond that point. You will also benefit from working alongside a highly experienced SCADA specialist with extensive knowledge of the plant, providing valuable access to site-specific guidance and technical mentoring. The package includes:
Salary of up to £60,000 for an engineer with the right depth of automation expertise A consistent weekday afternoon shift, with final hours agreed during the recruitment process 33 days' annual leave for a five-day working pattern Employer pension contribution of 5%, with a 3% employee contribution Health and wellbeing support, including dental and optical cashback Three times annual salary life assurance Holiday buying and selling options Company sick pay increasing with length of service Accredited technical training and support for…