Technical Lead, Engineering, Automation & Mechatronics Engineer

Location: Cambridgeshire

Overview

A leading industrial automation and systems integration business is supporting an upcoming automation project at a brownfield chemical manufacturing facility in Royston and is looking to appoint an experienced Technical Lead.

The role will focus on the technical delivery of a complex automation scope within a live operating chemical plant environment. The successful contractor will provide hands-on technical leadership across control systems design, integration, testing, commissioning and site implementation.

This role would suit a senior automation professional with proven experience delivering brownfield controls upgrades in chemical, batch manufacturing, pharmaceutical, speciality chemical, petrochemical, COMAH or other regulated process environments.

Role Purpose

The Technical Lead will be responsible for leading the technical automation scope across the project lifecycle, acting as the key interface between the systems integration team, end client, engineering disciplines, vendors, site operations and commissioning teams.

The role requires someone who can combine strong technical controls knowledge with pragmatic brownfield delivery experience, ensuring the automation solution is safe, robust, compliant and practical for a live production site.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

Lead the technical automation and controls scope for a brownfield chemical plant upgrade project.
Act as the main technical point of contact for automation, control systems and integration matters.
Review and guide technical design decisions across PLC, SCADA/HMI, Batch, instrumentation interfaces and control architecture.
Provide technical direction to automation engineers, software engineers, commissioning engineers and third-party suppliers.
Ensure the proposed automation solution is suitable for a live operating plant environment.
Challenge technical assumptions and identify practical delivery risks early.

Project Delivery

Support the delivery of automation engineering activities from design through to commissioning and handover.
Contribute to project planning, engineering schedules, technical deliverables and milestone tracking.
Coordinate automation interfaces with process, mechanical, electrical, EC&I and site operations teams.
Support design reviews, technical workshops, progress meetings and client-facing discussions.
Manage technical risks, issues and change requests throughout the project lifecycle.
Ensure project documentation is complete, accurate and aligned with client/site requirements.

Automation & Control Systems Scope

Depending on final project requirements, responsibilities may include oversight of:

PLC control system design, modification and integration.
SCADA/HMI configuration and operator interface development.
Batch control, sequence control and recipe management.
Instrumentation and field device integration.
Industrial networks and communications.
Existing system assessment and brownfield modification strategy.
Control narratives, functional specifications and design documentation.
FAT, SAT, commissioning, performance testing and handover.
Historian, reporting or MES/data layer interfaces where applicable.

Brownfield Site Integration

Assess existing plant control systems, legacy equipment and operational constraints.
Develop and support practical migration, cutover and commissioning strategies.
Plan automation works around live plant operations and shutdown windows.
Liaise closely with production, operations, maintenance and process engineering teams.
Minimise disruption to site operations while maintaining technical and safety standards.
Support site installation, commissioning and troubleshooting activities as required.

Safety, Compliance & Quality

Ensure automation engineering activities comply with relevant site standards, project specifications and industry good practice.
Support functional safety considerations where applicable.
Contribute to risk assessments, method statements and commissioning plans.
Maintain strong change control and technical governance throughout delivery.
Ensure all technical documentation is controlled, reviewed and handed over correctly.
Promote safe working practices in a chemical…