Automation Technician

• Locations Alcoa Europe, Exeter, DEV, EX2 7LG
  , GB (On-site)
• Job Schedule Full time

Exciting opportunities have arisen within the Manufacturing Engineering department for graduates and junior engineers alike. These roles offer hands‑on experience, professional growth, and clear development pathways within an engineering function. Positions will operate on a swing shift rotation (6am-2pm/2pm-10pm).

This role is responsible for delivering technical support across a wide range of manufacturing processes, including automated operations, machining, and production gauging. The position will play a key part in developing and enhancing automated manufacturing methods, ensuring new products are fully qualified on production equipment both internally and with customers. In addition, the role provides ongoing support to manufacturing teams to improve existing processes, drive efficiency, and maintain high operational performance.

Main Responsibilities:

Provide critical help chain for manufacturing to reduce downtime of critical manufacturing equipment

Create, verify and release robot programs for automated cells

Create, verify and release programs for other, programable manufacturing equipment

Design and deliver tooling and fixtures for manufacturing processes

Creating supporting documentation for automated equipment (SOP and EMS)

Support implementation of new advanced manufacturing equipment and automation

Support Senior MEs in justification of capital funding requests

Support cost reduction and process improvement of current manufacturing techniques

Work with Manufacturing to record and improve OEE of critical equipment

Support implantation of new manufacturing technology

Responsible for program storage, data back-ups and revision control for Manufacturing equipment

• Implement and support EH&S activities

• Minimum of a HNC or equivalent in an Engineering discipline
• Good understanding of tooling, fixture design and manufacturing processes
• Proficient in CAD, Siemens NX an advantage

Ability to read engineering drawings

• High level of computer literacy (Word/Excel/Project)
• Good judgment and decision making
• Communication and team working skills

This is a development role where training will be provided. Any experience, in any of the following areas, would be beneficial and show the transferable skills required to develop in the role.

6 axis articulated arm Robot programming experience, Yaskawa or Fanuc an advantage

• Proficient in CNC Milling, CAM an advantage (Heidenhain controls & NX CAM)
• A minimum of two years’ relevant experience within an engineering environment
• Experience trouble-shooting mechanical systems (pneumatics, tooling, measurement feedback systems)
• Knowledge of automation systems
• CMM Programming experience (Renishaw Modus)
• PLC or other logic-based programming experience
• Knowledge of problem-solving tools (FMEA or equivalent)