Principal Automation Engineer

Principal Automation Engineer – Oil & Gas, Downstream

Contract Details:

• Duration: 12 Months
• Working Pattern: 5 Days per Week (40 Hours)
• Location: Manchester (Hybrid Working)
• Rate: £#removed# per hour PAYE (inside IR35)

The successful candidate will play a critical role in system integration, plant operations, and project execution from FEED through to commissioning. The candidate will be embedded in the Client's team on site (Humber); therefore preferred location is local to the site with regular visits to the home office (Manchester) as and when required. (expenses paid for home office visits if required). However, for the right candidate, we would be willing to consider a candidate based in Manchester who will be willing to regularly travel to site (expenses paid for site visit).

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 activities

Experience & 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/IP

Preferred 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)

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.

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