Automation Engineer

Salary
: up to £50,000 per annum dependant on experience, plus amazing benefits listed below!

Contract: Permanent

Latest closing date: Monday 8th June 2026.

Please note: We may close vacancies early when we receive significant numbers of applications, so don’t delay!

We're the name behind a host of brilliant brands, from Inch’s to Birra Moretti and many more. And with around 2,400 pubs to our name in the UK, our Star Pubs business is all about putting pubs at the centre of community life.

But we’re more than just great beers and ciders – we’re a place where passion meets purpose, careers are crafted as carefully as our brews, and enjoyment of life is part of the job.

As the Automation Engineer, you will be working within a team directly reporting to the Engineering Manager, supporting on automation and electrical activities within the Packaging line of production. This role is responsible for maintaining the site’s automation systems, both hardware and software, to improve plant efficiency, reliability, and cost.

At the Hereford site, our automation systems cover Utilities, Cider Production & Packaging, using Rockwell and Siemens PLCs with SCADA systems including Pro Leit Brew Maxx and AVEVA InTouch, alongside various OEM HMIs. The automation network is fully resilient and includes over 100 PLCs ranging from older Allen Bradley models to modern Rockwell Control Logix and Siemens S7-300/400/1500 systems. Communication is primarily via Ethernet

IP or Profi Net, with additional networks such as ASi, Profibus DP, Device Net, and Control Net.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Monitoring, updating control systems and optimising PLC code.
• Providing technical support and mentoring to maintenance technicians to strengthen automation capabilities across the site.
• Programme and troubleshoot PLC systems; conduct root cause analysis on equipment issues.
• Use structured problem‑solving techniques (e.g., 5 Whys, Kaizen) to drive improvements.
• Maintain PLC backups and keep automation documentation up to date.
• Lead automation aspects of equipment integration and commissioning.

Helping millions of consumers enjoy our beers and ciders is a real team effort. As a Supply Chain colleague, you’ll be part of the biggest function in HEINEKEN UK!

From barley to bar, our Supply Chain produces high-quality beers and ciders, prioritising safety, sustainability and innovation to keep our operations running smoothly.

You’ll be based within the broader packaging team, focused on keeping our bottling, canning and other lines running smoothly and efficiently. Your role contributes to ensuring machinery is reliable, well‑maintained and safe, while also anticipating future needs and driving fresh, innovative improvements to increase the site’s overall output.

We’re looking for someone who enjoys working as part of a team and finds the best solutions by sharing ideas and collaborating with others. Possessing strong communication skills and the ability to influence decisions will help you in driving site improvements and efficiency in wider operations.

As well as the above, the ideal candidate will have:

• A recognised Electrical Engineering qualification such as an NVQ Level 3, HNC/HND level is mandatory. Mechanical experience is ideal but
• Prior experience in a packaging automation or fast‑moving consumer goods (FMCG) environment is highly desirable.
• Strong working knowledge of PLC systems, particularly Rockwell and Siemens platforms.
• Network architecture standards and ideally have a understanding of ISA‑95 automation standard
• Familiarity with SCADA systems; ability to interpret and work with automation interfaces.
• Practical experience in PLC programming, diagnostics, and fault finding.
• Awareness of Process Control Design (PCD) and cybersecurity practices in an industrial setting.
• Ability to apply structured problem‑solving and cyber‑safe techniques in automation systems.

If you want to grow and develop your skills, gain hands‑on experience with a wide range of technologies and sharpen your problem‑solving abilities, we want to hear from you.

We're all about brewing the Joy of True Togetherness, and that starts…