Automation Engineer

Automation Engineer £50-60,000 SALARY Location: Cardiff Shift: Weekdays (with call-out support as required) We have a new opportunity for an Automation Engineer within our Engineering team. As our Automation Engineer, you will act as the site's sole automation specialist, taking full ownership of PLCs, robotics, vision systems, and control architecture. This is a highly autonomous role where you will drive automation standards, system reliability, and digital integration across the site.

You will play a key role in reducing downtime, improving OEE, and ensuring robust, future‑proof automation systems. Finsbury Food Group is a leading specialty bakery manufacturer. We constantly raise quality and efficiency standards and build long‑term relationships within the foodservice channel.

Finsbury offers a wide range of bakery products and is a leading frozen supplier into the Foodservice sector. To be successful, you will take a structured and analytical approach to automation, with strong technical expertise and the confidence to challenge and improve existing systems. You'll work closely with engineering, operations, and IT to ensure automation systems are reliable, compliant, and aligned with site and group standards.

This is a new opportunity where you can truly make your mark, building and shaping automation systems with full ownership and accountability. What you’ll actually do As Automation Engineer, you'll take ownership of all site PLC platforms, primarily Allen Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix, while also supporting Siemens, Omron, and Mitsubishi systems where required. You'll maintain and optimise robotic systems including ABB, Fanuc, and Mitsubishi, alongside supporting vision systems such as Keyence and Thingtrax.

You'll lead structured root‑cause analysis for automation‑related failures, implementing long‑term corrective actions to reduce repeat issues and improve reliability. You'll develop, implement, and enforce PLC programming standards, ensuring consistency across naming conventions, documentation, alarm handling, and governance. You'll own all backup and version control processes, ensuring secure storage, change tracking, and full compliance with governance standards.

Working closely with cross‑functional teams, you'll integrate PLC systems into SCADA/MES platforms, ensuring data integrity, accurate downtime capture, and reliable OEE reporting. You'll also support capital projects from specification through to commissioning and validation, ensuring robust technical handovers. In addition, you'll collaborate with IT on network infrastructure, support machine safety systems, and provide coaching and guidance to engineers to build automation capability across the site.

Qualifications Electrical/Electronic indentured apprenticeship trained Degree/HND and equivalent experience in Control & Automation Engineering Strong experience with Allen Bradley / Rockwell (Studio 5000) Experience working with Siemens, Omron, or Mitsubishi PLCs Knowledge of robotics systems such as ABB, Fanuc, or Mitsubishi Experience with industrial communication protocols (e.g. Ethernet/IP, Profibus, RS232/485) Experience integrating PLC systems with SCADA/MES platforms Strong fault‑finding and root cause analysis capability Strong experience of machine safety principles and safety PLC systems Experience with vision systems (Keyence, Thingtrax) (desirable) Detail‑driven with strong documentation discipline and analytical mindset Experience within fast‑paced food manufacturing (desirable) Familiarity with Health & Safety and Food Safety regulations Excellent Microsoft Office skills Able to work independently while collaborating and communicating cross‑functionally Benefits Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave to allow quality time with your new arrival! Enhanced Pension Scheme for our employees Death in Service Benefit Free Employee Assistance Programme (open to colleagues and their families) Retail discounts accessible via our Benefits Hub platform!

Refer a Friend Scheme (up to £300 per referral - T&C's dependent) Employee Recognition Awards Extensive Learning & Development opportunities (including opportunities for sponsored professional memberships and our own in‑house development course!) #J-18808-Ljbffr