Automation & Systems Engineer

Overview

Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom

OAL is looking for an Automation & Systems Engineer to join the team developing our next-generation end-of-line automation platform.

This is a broad and hands-on engineering role sitting at the intersection of PLC controls, industrial automation, and systems integration. You will be equally comfortable developing PLC logic as you are troubleshooting communication interfaces between PLCs, Ignition gateways, vision systems, printers, and connected industrial devices.

Working alongside our Ignition Software Engineer and wider automation team, you will contribute to the development of a scalable end-of-line solution built around Beckhoff and Rockwell PLC architectures alongside an Ignition-based software platform.

This role offers the opportunity to work on innovative automation technology within a collaborative engineering environment where your technical input and ideas will directly influence future system development.

What you will be doing

• Develop and maintain PLC programs using Beckhoff (TwinCAT
  3) and/or Rockwell (Studio 5000) platforms within the established control architecture.
• Systems integration:
  Integrate industrial subsystems including printers, Cognex vision systems, scanners, and other end-of-line peripherals into the wider automation platform.
• Industrial communications:
  Define, configure, and maintain communication interfaces between PLCs, Ignition, and connected industrial devices using protocols such as OPC-UA, Ether Net/IP, TCP/IP, and serial communications.
• Commissioning and fault finding:
  Support commissioning activities and technical troubleshooting both remotely and on customer sites.
• Cross-functional engineering collaboration:
  Work closely with software, controls, and project engineers to ensure strong integration between the control layer, SCADA systems, and wider automation architecture.
• Hardware and system improvement:
  Contribute to the review, selection, and continuous improvement of automation hardware and control system components.
• Support the creation and maintenance of technical documentation including functional design specifications, I/O schedules, network diagrams, and system documentation.

• Essential skills and experience:
  Proven PLC programming experience using Beckhoff (TwinCAT
  3), Rockwell (Studio 5000), or both.
• Practical experience integrating industrial devices and subsystems.
• Strong understanding of industrial communication protocols including serial communications, TCP/IP, OPC-UA, and Ether Net/IP.
• Ability to read and work from electrical schematics and panel drawings.
• Methodical and practical approach to fault finding across hardware, software, and communications.
• Comfortable working within an established engineering architecture and collaborative team environment.
• Familiarity with Inductive Automation’s Ignition platform.
• Experience integrating Cognex vision systems or industrial marking and labelling printers.
• Exposure to end-of-line manufacturing processes including labelling, serialisation, check weighing, or vision inspection.
• HNC, HND, degree, or equivalent experience within electrical, electronic, automation, or control systems engineering.
• Opportunity to work on innovative automation and industrial integration projects.
• Be part of the development of a next-generation end-of-line platform.
• Collaborative engineering environment with experienced technical teams.
• Exposure to advanced industrial automation technologies.
• Opportunity to contribute ideas and influence technical development.
• Fast-paced and supportive SME environment.
• Ongoing training and professional development support.
• Genuine long-term career opportunities within a growing business.

• Ongoing training and professional development
• Funded development opportunities relevant to the role
• Career progression opportunities within a growing business

OAL helps food manufacturers automate. Based in Peterborough, we are an innovative family business providing automation and system integration services to the food industry.

We are recognised as a market leader in digital transformation, label and date code verification, and robotic powder weighing solutions.

As a growing SME, we offer genuine opportunities within a fast-paced and supportive environment. If you are passionate about industrial automation, controls engineering, and systems integration, we would love to hear from you.