Job Title: Principal Automation Engineer
Duration: 12 months
Schedule: Mon - Fri
Sponsorship Provided: No
Contract type: Inside IR35
Location: Manchester, Hybrid basis (Occasional trips to Humber site, expenses covered)
This opportunity sits within a global EPC contractor supporting the energy transition, with a focus on consulting services across the full asset lifecycle and next-generation project delivery and execution services. The role offers the chance to lead automation activities within the downstream oil and gas sector, with responsibility for FEED, detailed design, system integration and commissioning support. This position is well suited to candidates with strong PLC, SCADA or DCS expertise and experience delivering automation solutions in complex process industry environments.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and coordinate automation activities across a long-standing downstream project environment.
- Act as a key focal point for stakeholders and vendors to support delivery of technical, safety, commercial and schedule requirements.
- Carry out site surveys to identify cutover methods suitable for plant outages and available manual operating modes.
- Lead FEED process engineering work requests, deliverable structures, testing strategy and cutover planning.
- Review and approve DCS and PLC proposals from vendors and integrators.
- Review and approve electrical, control and instrumentation and OEM detailed design documentation.
- Lead multi-disciplinary design review meetings with subject matter experts.
- Develop control narratives from P&IDs, operations procedures and reverse-engineered PLC or DCS configuration.
- Develop FAT, SAT and plant commissioning procedures.
- Support successful system integration and plant operations through effective technical leadership.
Required Experience:
- Experience in the oil and gas, process, utilities or pharmaceutical industries.
- Demonstrated engineering leadership in automation projects across FEED, detailed design and commissioning phases.
- Experience working with PLC, SCADA or DCS automation systems.
Required Skills:
- Knowledge of electrical interfacing between automation systems and process industry actuators, including process instrumentation, control valves, hydraulic servo controls and motor starters.
- Knowledge of hazardous area classifications and protection requirements including ATEX.
- Knowledge of PLC and SCADA platforms and communications protocols including Profibus, Modbus and Ethernet/IP.
- Strong technical troubleshooting capability.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Strong organisational skills with a high level of attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Proficiency in technical writing and documentation.
- Client-focused approach to project delivery.
Preferred Education & Certifications:
- Degree qualified in Electrical and Electronic, Instrumentation, Automation, Chemical Engineering or equivalent.
- IEC61508 / 61511 Functional Safety certification.
Preferred Skills, Experience & Qualifications:
- Experience in sequential batch automation design.
- Knowledge of fiscal metering and truck loading terminals.
- Knowledge of the EEMUA 191 Alarm Management standard.
About Airswift:
Airswift is an international workforce solutions provider within the energy, technology, process and infrastructure industries. Airswift serves as a strategic partner to clients, offering a turnkey workforce solution to capture and deliver the top talent needed to complete successful projects by aligning with unique project needs. With over 1000 employees and 9,000 contractors operating in over 60 countries, Airswift's geographical reach and pool of talent available is unmatched in the industry.