Principal Automation Engineer

Millbank
Cheadle Hulme, Manchester, SK8 6LE, United Kingdom
Today
£55 – £65 ph

Salary

£55 – £65 ph

Job Type
Contract
Work Pattern
Full-time
Work Location
Hybrid
Seniority
Lead
Education
Degree
Posted
22 Apr 2026 (Today)

Principal Automation Engineer - (Oil & Gas, Downstream) Contract Details

Duration: 12 Months

Working Pattern: 5 Days per Week (40 Hours)

Location: Manchester (Hybrid Working)

Rate: £55-65 PAYE per hour (plus holiday pay) Position Overview We are seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to lead and coordinate automation activities under a long-term Master Service Agreement within the downstream Oil & Gas sector. This role will act as the primary focal point for stakeholders, vendors, and project teams, ensuring that all technical, safety, commercial, and schedule requirements are delivered successfully.

The successful candidate will play a critical role in system integration, plant operations, and project execution from FEED through to commissioning.

Key Responsibilities

Conduct site surveys to identify optimal cutover strategies aligned with plant outages and manual operation capabilities

Lead the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) process, including:

Engineering work requests

Deliverable structuring

Testing and cutover strategies

Review and approve DCS / PLC proposals from vendors and system integrators

Review and approve EC&I and OEM detailed design documentation

Facilitate and lead multi-disciplinary design review meetings with Client, EPC, and OEM stakeholders

Develop Control Narratives from:

P&IDs

Operational procedures

Existing PLC/DCS configurations (reverse engineering where required)

Develop and oversee execution of:

Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT)

Site Acceptance Tests (SAT)

Commissioning procedures

Coordinate and lead on-site commissioning activitiesExperience & Minimum Requirements

Proven experience within Oil & Gas, process, utilities, or pharmaceutical industries

Demonstrated leadership across:

FEED

Detailed design

Commissioning phases

Strong knowledge of automation systems:

PLC, SCADA, DCS

Experience with electrical interfacing, including:

Process instrumentation

Control valves

Hydraulic servo systems

Motor starters

Understanding of hazardous area classifications (ATEX)

Familiarity with industrial communication protocols:

Profibus

Modbus

Ethernet/IPPreferred Qualifications

Degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Instrumentation, Automation, Chemical Engineering, or equivalent

Experience with batch/sequential automation systems

Knowledge of:

Fiscal metering systems

Truck loading/terminal operations

Familiarity with:

EEMUA 191 Alarm Management

Functional Safety standards (IEC 61508 / IEC 61511)

Get in touch nowIf you're seeking a new opportunity and think you have the relevant skills and experience our client is looking for, then this could be the opportunity for you, so apply now or contact Stuart Cooper via LinkedIn.

Millbank Holdings Ltd is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background, and encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, and we are committed to ensuring an accessible and supportive recruitment process for everyone. If you require any adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate.

Millbank operates as both an Employment Agency and an Employment Business

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