1,860 Automation Experts jobs in the United Kingdom

About EIT: 

The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) Oxford’s purpose is to have a global impact by fundamentally reimagining the way science and technology translate into end-to-end solutions and delivering these solutions in programmes and platforms that respond to humanity’s most challenging problems. 

EIT Oxford will ensure scientific discoveries and pioneering science are turned into products for the benefit of society that can have high-impact worldwide and, over time, be commercialised to ensure long-term sustainability. 

Led by a faculty of world experts, EIT seeks to solve the world’s most challenging problems across four high-risk, high-reward, high-impact humane endeavours: health and medical science; food security and sustainable agriculture; climate change and clean energy; and artificial intelligence & robotics. 

EIT Oxford is investing significant resources in a new world-class research and development facility in the Oxford Science Park. Set for completion in 2027, the state-of-the-art campus includes 300,000 sq ft of research laboratories, an oncology and preventative care clinic, and educational and meeting spaces. Together, they create the perfect environment for EIT Oxford experts to take ground-breaking ideas from research to broad implementation. The new facility will further EIT’s current partnership with the University of Oxford and become the new home for Ellison Scholars. 

EIT Oxford is committed to cultivating a community where excellence is achieved through collaboration, trust, innovation and tenacity. We foster an environment where everyone’s experience and expertise are valued. We are curious and resilient in our efforts to drive long-term, sustainable innovation to meet humanity’s most enduring challenges. 

Requirements

The Role:

We're looking for an Automation Engineer to join our team in building the next generation of autonomous laboratory platforms. In this role, you'll be instrumental in designing automation workflows and developing software-to-hardware integrations that enable cutting-edge, self-driving science. 

The ideal candidate will bring hands-on experience in automation engineering, with a track record of creative, out-of-the-box approaches to automating scientific or industrial processes. Experience with different scales of automation is highly valuable. This position requires strong technical skills and a collaborative mindset to deliver reliable and innovative automation solutions.

Day-to-Day, You Might:

• Design and implement novel automated scientific workflows, translating complex processes into scalable, repeatable protocols using robotics & relevant software 
• Integrate laboratory hardware and software, exposing firmware capabilities through standardized interfaces to build a cohesive and robust system. 
• Contribute to the architectural design to ensure high reliability across all automation systems, following best practices for testing, monitoring, error handling, and performance tracking. 
• We look for engineers who can take systems apart, understand them deeply, and reimagine how they can be used to create innovative solutions. 
• Collaborate effectively within cross-functional team including scientific, technical, and operational colleagues to ensure automation solutions meet project and user needs. 
• Collaborate effectively within the developer team to build robust, scalable, and re-usable pipelines, maintaining high standard of code quality and transparency. 
• Work with external vendors to evaluate and deploy new technologies. 
• Document technical designs, implementation details, and trade-offs clearly for both technical and non-technical stakeholders. 

What Makes You a Great Fit:

• Experience in hardware automation engineering, e.g., automation engineering, biotechnology, robotics, systems integration. 
• A demonstrable track record of designing and deploying automation systems in scientific or industrial environments in a robust manner, including success integrating robotics, peripherals, and/or mechanical automation systems, beyond the scope of commercial suppliers. 
• Expertise integrating lab instruments via communication protocols and experience orchestrating multiple devices 
• Skilled in firmware level control, driver development, device discovery, and exposing firmware capabilities through standardized APIs 
• Extensive experience adhering to software development best-practices. e.g., documentation, effective resources use, Git, PR reviews, etc,  
• Advanced skills in relevant programming languages such as C/C++ & Python 
• A creative approach to automation—able to design workflows that don't simply mimic human lab practices. 

Great to Also Have 

Nobody checks every box - if you’re not sure if you’re qualified, we still encourage you to apply. 

• Proficiency in relevant open-source libraries like PyLabRobot. 
• Experience designing and building device twins 
• A background in biotech, pharma, materials science, or other automation-intensive R&D. 
• A university degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field. 

Benefits

We offer the following salary and benefits:

Enhanced holiday pay

Pension

Life Assurance

Income Protection

Private Medical Insurance

Hospital Cash Plan

Therapy Services

Perk Box

Electric Car Scheme

Why work for EIT:

At the Ellison Institute, we believe a collaborative, inclusive team is key to our success. We are building a supportive environment where creative risks are encouraged, and everyone feels heard. Valuing emotional intelligence, empathy, respect, and resilience, we encourage people to be curious and to have a shared commitment to excellence. Join us and make an impact!

Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions
Office

Are you prepared to advance your engineering career? Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is seeking a highly motivated Engineer III, Systems Infrastructure to join our ambitious Digital and Factory Automation team. This role requires a diligent and meticulous approach to work.

Key Responsibilities:

• Automation Support: Assist in the design, installation, and maintenance of digital and factory automation systems, including equipment automation, process automation, and digital automation.
• Technical Implementation: Contribute to the development, configuration, and testing of automation workflows in collaboration with cross-functional teams.

Support data integration by connecting manufacturing data systems like MES or equivalent experience with factory automation for seamless data flow.

Continuous Improvement: Identify and recommend opportunities for process improvement, using lean methodologies to optimize manufacturing workflows and increase operational efficiency.

• Troubleshooting & Maintenance: Provide technical troubleshooting for automated systems, identifying root causes of issues and supporting the implementation of effective solutions.
• Documentation & Reporting: Maintain detailed project documentation, including design specifications, testing results, and operational guidelines. Support the generation of reports on system performance and optimization metrics.
• Collaboration: Work closely with senior engineers, IT, and production teams to understand operational needs and align automation solutions with business objectives.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Engineering (e.g., Electrical, Mechanical, Automation, Mechatronics, or a related field).

• Technical Skills:

Basic knowledge of automation systems, PLC programming, SCADA, and control systems.

Familiarity with Industrial communication protocols (e.g., OPC, Modbus, Ethernet/IP).

Understanding of data management tools and basic scripting (Python, SQL) is a plus.

Knowledge of digital tools such as Microsoft 365 tools including Power Apps, Power Pages, Power Automate & Power BI or MES systems is desirable.

• Experience:

2-5 years of experience in factory automation, digital systems, or a related engineering field.

Exposure to manufacturing processes and workflows is an advantage.

Preferred programming experience (Method Development) with Liquid Handlers such as Tecan and Hamilton.

• Soft Skills:

Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Additional Requirements:

Willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies and methodologies.

Basic understanding of safety and quality standards in manufacturing environments.

Join us and be part of a team that successfully implements world-class automation solutions and drives continuous improvement in our operations. Your contribution will help us achieve flawless efficiency and quality in our manufacturing processes

Job Title: Business Process Automation Engineer

Rate: £325 per day (Inside IR35)

Duration: 12 months

Location: Central London – 3 days onsite, 2 days remote

Overview

We’re seeking a Business Process Automation Engineer to support the maintenance, optimisation, and development of internal automation tools that streamline key business operations. With over 50 in-house tools already deployed to automate data handling, reporting, and workflow management, this role will focus on improving system stability and driving further automation initiatives as the business scales.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor and maintain existing automated tools and workflows.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues, performing root cause analysis and implementing both short- and long-term solutions.
• Enhance tool reliability, performance, and monitoring efficiency.
• Design and develop new automation tools to meet evolving business requirements.
• Collaborate closely with business users to understand processes and deliver practical automation solutions.
• Maintain clear documentation, including specifications and runbooks.
• Track daily progress, communicate updates to stakeholders, and adjust timelines as necessary.

Required Skills & Experience

Technical Skills:

• Advanced Excel knowledge, including VBA and VBS scripting .
• Working knowledge of Python for light automation and data processing.
• Experience with Power Automate , SharePoint , or Office Scripts is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with system monitoring and operational stability best practices.

Business Skills:

• Strong communication and stakeholder management – able to clarify requirements and manage expectations.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on process documentation and continuous improvement.
• Organised, adaptable, and capable of prioritising workload effectively.

Job Title: Business Process Automation Engineer

Rate: £325 per day (Inside IR35)

Duration: 12 months

Location: Central London – 3 days onsite, 2 days remote

Overview

We’re seeking a Business Process Automation Engineer to support the maintenance, optimisation, and development of internal automation tools that streamline key business operations. With over 50 in-house tools already deployed to automate data handling, reporting, and workflow management, this role will focus on improving system stability and driving further automation initiatives as the business scales.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor and maintain existing automated tools and workflows.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues, performing root cause analysis and implementing both short- and long-term solutions.
• Enhance tool reliability, performance, and monitoring efficiency.
• Design and develop new automation tools to meet evolving business requirements.
• Collaborate closely with business users to understand processes and deliver practical automation solutions.
• Maintain clear documentation, including specifications and runbooks.
• Track daily progress, communicate updates to stakeholders, and adjust timelines as necessary.

Required Skills & Experience

Technical Skills:

• Advanced Excel knowledge, including VBA and VBS scripting .
• Working knowledge of Python for light automation and data processing.
• Experience with Power Automate , SharePoint , or Office Scripts is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with system monitoring and operational stability best practices.

Business Skills:

• Strong communication and stakeholder management – able to clarify requirements and manage expectations.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on process documentation and continuous improvement.
• Organised, adaptable, and capable of prioritising workload effectively.

• Design, develop, and implement automation solutions for manufacturing processes, including PLC programming, HMI development, and robot integration.
• Configure and commission automation hardware and software, ensuring seamless integration with existing systems.
• Develop and maintain process control strategies to optimize production efficiency and product quality.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to automation systems, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Conduct feasibility studies and recommend innovative automation technologies to enhance operational performance.
• Create and maintain detailed technical documentation, including electrical schematics, program logic, and operating manuals.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including production, engineering, and maintenance, to support automation projects.
• Implement preventative maintenance programs for automated equipment to minimize downtime.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in automation technology, recommending adoption of new solutions where beneficial.
• Ensure all automation solutions comply with relevant safety standards and regulations.
• Provide remote technical support and training to on-site operational staff.

• BEng or MEng in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Control Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in industrial automation and process control, preferably within a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in programming various PLC platforms (e.g., Siemens, Rockwell Automation, Omron) and HMI/SCADA systems.
• Experience with industrial robotics (e.g., KUKA, ABB, FANUC) and motion control systems.
• Strong understanding of electrical control systems, instrumentation, and network communication protocols (e.g., Profibus, Ethernet/IP).
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills with a methodical approach.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects in a fully remote setting.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to effectively interact with technical and non-technical stakeholders remotely.
• Experience with simulation software for automation design and testing is a plus.
• Knowledge of Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.

• Design, develop, and implement automation solutions for manufacturing processes, including PLC programming, HMI development, and SCADA systems.
• Analyze existing production lines to identify opportunities for automation and efficiency gains.
• Develop and maintain documentation for automation systems, including P&IDs, functional specifications, and user manuals.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including production, engineering, and maintenance, to ensure seamless integration of automation solutions.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues with automated systems to minimize downtime.
• Stay current with emerging automation technologies and industry best practices.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement safety features within automated systems.
• Provide remote support and training to operational teams on automated equipment.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of manufacturing processes through automation initiatives.

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Proven experience in industrial automation, including PLC programming (e.g., Siemens, Allen-Bradley), HMI/SCADA development, and robotic systems.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and principles.
• Experience with industrial communication protocols (e.g., Profibus, Ethernet/IP).
• Proficiency in troubleshooting automation hardware and software issues.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a remote team environment.
• Experience with IIoT and data acquisition systems is a plus.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Designing and developing sophisticated automation solutions for manufacturing and industrial processes.
• Programming and configuring Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Distributed Control Systems (DCS), and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems.
• Developing and implementing Human-Machine Interface (HMI) applications for seamless operator interaction.
• Integrating various automation components and systems, ensuring interoperability and efficiency.
• Conducting system testing, commissioning, and validation to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
• Troubleshooting and resolving complex automation-related issues, minimizing downtime.
• Optimizing existing automated processes for improved efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
• Developing comprehensive documentation, including design specifications, programming logic, and operational manuals.
• Staying current with advancements in automation technology, robotics, and industrial IoT.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including operations, engineering, and maintenance, to support automation initiatives.