Engineers who design, build, and optimise automated systems for manufacturing and industrial processes. A critical role in driving efficiency and innovation in modern industry.
Industrial Automation Engineers are at the forefront of transforming traditional manufacturing into smart, efficient operations. They design, develop, and implement automated systems that enhance productivity, reduce costs, and improve safety in industrial settings. These engineers work closely with mechanical, electrical, and software systems to create integrated solutions that can range from simple robotic arms to complex automated production lines. Key employers include manufacturing giants, research-heavy startups, and the larger consultancies.
A typical week is a mix of design, testing, and project management, with a focus on continuous improvement and system optimisation.
Based on advertised midpoints across the 231 UK listings priced in pounds in the last 12 months. Base salary only.
% of 169 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.
A typical UK progression for industrial automation engineers. Years are guidance — strong people move faster, and many senior folks sidestep into research, product or management.
Assist in the design and testing of automated systems, working under the guidance of senior engineers.
Take ownership of specific projects, from initial design to implementation, ensuring systems meet client specifications.
Lead multiple projects, manage teams, and provide technical expertise to solve complex automation challenges.
Strategise and oversee the development of large-scale automation initiatives, driving innovation and best practices.
There's no single route, but most people follow some version of these steps.
Gain foundational experience in automation design and testing, working on smaller projects under supervision.
Take on more responsibility, leading specific projects and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
Manage a team of engineers, ensuring project timelines and quality standards are met.
Develop deep expertise in a specific area of automation, such as robotics or control systems.
Oversee the entire automation department, driving strategic initiatives and innovation.
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Flarebright Bicester £39,000 – £49,000 pa
Contributes across the full development lifecycle, from concept and algorithm design to system integration, testing and troubleshooting of safety-critical navigation and autonomy software in C++. Works with a multidisciplinary team on real-time embedded systems, hardware/software-in-the-loop testing and flight test activities, producing design documentation and test reports.
Humanoid London
Owns the development, deployment and operation of an existing data platform, spanning cloud infrastructure, full-stack development, platform and data engineering. Leads external contractors as their sole point of contact, translating internal requirements into technical briefs and validating deliverables. Combines hands-on engineering with technical leadership and delivery ownership.
Humanoid London
Lead the physical environment strategy across lab, workspace, test, integration, prototype manufacturing and office areas, owning brownfield retrofits and complex fit-out programmes from scoping to commissioning. Manage external architects, contractors and consultants while overseeing general office operations, reception and front-of-house teams across global sites.
Autodiscovery Wantage
Lead the design and deployment of autonomous robotic systems, owning software architecture across perception, planning and control. Work spans prototyping, simulation and field testing, integrating with hardware teams while mentoring engineers and shaping technical roadmaps. Requires depth in C++, ROS2, SLAM and real-time systems.
Humanoid London
Operate, maintain and optimise a humanoid robotics fleet and AI data-collection system, ensuring maximum uptime through monitoring, preventive maintenance and rapid troubleshooting. Configure robots and sensors, run data-collection experiments, and manage dataset labelling and storage for imitation learning. Permanent night shift (10:30pm-7:00am) with occasional travel.
Humanoid London
Leads Humanoid's AI research and engineering function as a player-coach, spending at least half of the first year on direct technical work: designing Transformer-based models and experiments, reviewing code, inspecting data, debugging training, and examining robot rollouts. Owns the research roadmap, data strategy, and offline/real-world evaluation systems, and builds a small team of researchers and engineers.
Essential skills include strong knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems, programming, and project management. Familiarity with CAD software and automation technologies is also crucial.
Common industries include manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and pharmaceuticals. Research-heavy startups and consultancies also frequently hire in this field.
Gain experience through hands-on projects, develop leadership skills, and stay updated with the latest automation technologies and best practices.
Industrial Automation Engineers often work in a mix of office and industrial settings, collaborating with teams and visiting client sites for installations and maintenance.
Salary ranges can vary based on experience and location. For more detailed information, please refer to the salary section on this page.
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