Job Purpose
The Automation Engineer is responsible for maintaining, developing and improving the brewery's automation, control systems and Operational Technology (OT) infrastructure to ensure safe, reliable and efficient manufacturing operations.
Working as part of the Engineering team, the role provides specialist technical expertise across PLC, SCADA, HMI and industrial control systems, supporting both day-to-day operations and the delivery of engineering projects. The role will identify opportunities to improve manufacturing performance through automation, standardisation and digital technologies while ensuring all control systems remain secure, compliant and fit for purpose.
The Automation Engineer will work closely with Brewing, Packaging, Maintenance, AD Plant, H&S and Quality teams to improve plant performance, reduce downtime and support the site's operational and strategic objectives.
Key Result Area / Principal Duties & Responsibilities
Automation & Control Systems
- Maintain, support and continuously improve all site PLC, SCADA, HMI and industrial control systems.
- Develop, modify and commission PLC and HMI software in accordance with engineering standards.
- Support fault finding and root cause analysis of complex automation and controls issues.
- Maintain automation documentation, software backups and version control.
- Standardise automation architecture, coding practices and control philosophies across the site.
- Ensure all automation changes follow the Management of Change (MoC) process.
Operational Technology (OT)
- Support the development and maintenance of the site's Operational Technology infrastructure.
- Assist in maintaining OT cybersecurity controls, system backups and disaster recovery procedures.
- Maintain industrial communication networks, remote access systems and plant historians where applicable.
- Support lifecycle planning for automation hardware and software.
Project Delivery
- Deliver the automation elements of capital and improvement projects from design through to commissioning.
- Produce functional design specifications and control philosophies.
- Support equipment acceptance testing (FAT/SAT), commissioning and validation activities.
- Coordinate with equipment suppliers and systems integrators to ensure successful project delivery.
- Ensure projects are completed safely, on time and to agreed technical standards.
Continuous Improvement
- Identify opportunities to improve safety, quality, reliability and efficiency through automation.
- Develop automated solutions that reduce manual intervention and improve process consistency.
- Support data collection, reporting and digital manufacturing initiatives.
- Work alongside wider production teams to optimise manufacturing performance.
Operational Support
- Provide specialist technical support during production issues involving automation and controls.
- Support planned maintenance activities relating to automation systems.
- Work collaboratively with Maintenance to improve asset reliability through engineering improvements.
- Participate in out-of-hours support or on-call arrangements where required.
Health, Safety & Compliance
- Ensure all automation activities comply with company engineering standards and legal requirements.
- Support machinery safety assessments and functional safety improvements.
- Maintain compliance with electrical, machinery and control system legislation.
- Ensure all modifications are appropriately documented and validated.
Documentation & Standards
- Maintain accurate electrical drawings, control system documentation and software records.
- Develop and maintain engineering standards for automation and controls.
- Ensure documentation is updated following all system modifications.
- Promote standardisation of components, programming methods and engineering practices.
Key Relationships - Internal & External
H&S Team, Production Team’s, IT team, and 3rd
party OEM’s/automation suppliers
Health & Safety
- Ensure that Health and Safety guidelines and fire regulations are strictly adhered to at all times
- Comply with safe working practices as defined by BrewDog
- Complete online or face to face training as and when required
- Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by acts or omissions at work
- Report any accidents, incidents or near misses as soon as reasonably practicable.
General
- Be aware of and adhere to BrewDog policies and the Workplace Code at all times
- Take part in crew reviews throughout the year
- Cooperate with other BrewDog departments to achieve a great experience for our customers, applicants, colleagues, and contractors
- Attend training courses and complete online
training modules as required to meet the
requirements of the role
- Take responsibility for own personal development, seeking out opportunities to learn new skills
- Undertake any other duties as requested which are reasonably deemed to be within the scope of the role or necessary for the smooth running of the business
- Apply the BrewDog charter and behaviours to every aspect of the role at all times
- Protect and enhance the interests and reputation of BrewDog internally and externally