Automation Engineer

C&I AUTOMATION ENGINEER Location: Manchester, UK (Hybrid with regular site visits to Humber Refinery) Contract Duration: November 2026 – October 2027 Contract Status: Outside IR35 Start Date: November 2026 Account Manager: Anthony Hughes Role Overview We are seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to support a major control system migration and upgrade study for an operational tank farm facility. Working closely with operations, control systems specialists, and project stakeholders, you will assess ageing automation and tank gauging systems, develop migration strategies, and provide technical recommendations to support future FEED and execution phases. This role requires strong automation, brownfield, and owner/operator experience, with regular engagement across site personnel and operational teams. Responsibilities Interface with Operations teams and Control Systems specialists to capture stakeholder requirements Review existing and future I/O requirements across the facility Conduct loop-by-loop assessments with Operations teams to validate functionality, challenge legacy requirements, and identify optimisation opportunities Develop migration and control system upgrade strategies for ageing automation systems Assess control system architecture options, including migration and re-architecture approaches Support development of cutover and transition strategies, minimising operational disruption wherever possible Review site infrastructure requirements, including control room and equipment house capacity Evaluate brownfield constructability, operability, and project execution challenges Ensure alignment of proposed solutions with planned refinery and terminal shutdown schedules Perform risk assessments and support economic benefit evaluations Document engineering studies, technical decisions, risks, and recommendations Prepare final reports and presentations suitable for future project funding and approval stages Provide regular progress updates to project management and client stakeholders Requirements Degree-qualified in Automation, Control Systems, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent industry experience Extensive experience in Automation Engineering within refining, petrochemical, oil & gas, terminal, or process industries Proven experience delivering control system migration, upgrade, or modernisation studies Strong understanding of DCS, PLC, SCADA, and industrial control systems Experience working within both engineering project environments and owner/operator organisations Knowledge of brownfield project execution, system cutovers, and operational continuity planning Experience performing technical studies, option selection, risk assessments, and engineering evaluations Strong stakeholder engagement and workshop facilitation skills Experience preparing technical reports, business cases, and funding gate documentation Previous OEM automation systems experience is advantageous Ability to work independently and manage technical workstreams with minimal supervision The Next Step This is an excellent opportunity to play a key role in a major control system modernisation project, helping define the strategy for future execution phases. If you have extensive automation and control systems experience within operational process industries and enjoy leading complex technical studies, please apply or contact the recruitment partner for further information.