Automation Engineer (Contract)

Automation Engineer (Contractor required - 6 months)

Why Southco?

With over 70 years of engineering excellence and more than 3000 employees in 20 countries, Southco is a global leader for the manufacturing of engineered access solutions, products that you and thousands of others interact with every day. Our products form what we call "touch points", such as locks, latches, fasteners, hinges, handles and many other products that serve virtually hundreds of industries worldwide.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced hands-on Manufacturing and Automation Engineer to join our New Projects Team on a 6-month contract basis. Working with a high degree of autonomy, you will take ownership of small-to-medium engineering projects — from initial design through to build and commissioning — supporting the introduction of new product variants and the development of test units and fixtures.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and build small test units, jigs, and fixtures from concept through to completion
• Modify and adapt existing equipment to support new product variants and process improvements
• Produce mechanical designs using NX (or equivalent CAD)
• Develop and work with electrical control systems, including Mitsubishi PLCs and HMIs
• Source and manage build activities using the internal tool room, external vendors, and 3D printing
• Work independently on mini-projects with minimal supervision, managing your own schedule and priorities
• Collaborate with the wider New Projects Team to ensure timely delivery of engineering solutions

Required Skills & Experience

• Proven background in manufacturing, automation, or mechanical/electrical engineering
• Hands-on mechanical design experience — NX preferred; other 3D CAD tools considered
• Practical knowledge of Mitsubishi PLC programming and HMI configuration
• Ability to work from schematic through to physical build with minimal direction
• Comfortable using tool rooms, working with external fabricators, and leveraging 3D printing for prototyping
• Strong self-management and communication skills — able to work as part of a small project team

Desirable (Not Essential)

• Experience in a similarly varied, project-based engineering environment
• Familiarity with test fixture design or automation of test processes
• Knowledge of PFMEA, OMS, or other manufacturing documentation

So why join us?

Southco employees enjoy an excellent work/life balance, globally competitive compensation, and global and local connections with colleagues from around world who share the same vision and passion. Being part of the Southco family means being part of a success story that spans for almost a century and is still being written by people just like you today.

At Southco our employees are at the heart of what we do, we’re a family and strive to maintain our culture.