Controls & Automation Engineer
Location: Fort William
Salary: Competitive + excellent benefits
Employment Type: Permanent / Full-time
Industry: Heavy Industry / Engineering / Manufacturing
Looking for a new challenge somewhere truly unique? Fort William – the UK’s outdoor capital – offers hundreds of activities for outdoor enthusiasts, from hiking and climbing to water sports and mountain biking. The area provides a slower pace of life, closely knit communities and real peace and quiet. Fort William is also well connected, with travel times of around 1h40m to Inverness, 2 hours to Glasgow and approximately 2h20m to Edinburgh.
Are you an experienced Controls & Automation Engineer with strong PLC, SCADA and HMI skills? Looking to join a large, complex industrial operation where you’ll play a pivotal role in reliability, process improvement and site-wide engineering excellence? This is a fantastic opportunity to join a major 24/7 industrial site in Fort William, working within a highly skilled Engineering & Maintenance team.
The Role
As a Controls & Automation Engineer, you will maintain and develop a wide range of site control systems to support safe, reliable and efficient operations. You’ll act as a technical authority for troubleshooting, project delivery, equipment improvement and controls strategy across the site. You’ll also support and mentor technicians, engineers and apprentices, contributing to ongoing capability development.
Key Responsibilities
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Maintain and support site control systems to minimise downtime and ensure rapid recovery after faults
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Lead advanced troubleshooting and provide specialist controls expertise
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Plan, coordinate and deliver multiple automation and control projects across a 24/7 operation
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Maintain and update control system drawings and documentation
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Monitor progress and performance against project objectives
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Manage relationships with internal stakeholders, contractors and suppliers
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Ensure compliance with legislation and site management-of-change procedures
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Assist with breakdowns to maintain continuity of operations
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Provide engineering support to Maintenance and Operations teams
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Promote safe working practices and ensure work meets site HSEQ standards
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Mentor, support and develop technicians, engineers and apprentices
Candidate Requirements
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Strong electrical and instrumentation knowledge
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Experience with PLC, HMI and SCADA systems
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PLC programming skills
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HND or higher in an Engineering discipline
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Strong communication, project management and problem-solving skills
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Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
Benefits & Rewards
You'll join a talented and supportive team engaged in meaningful, rewarding work with real development opportunities and an excellent work–life balance. In return for your commitment and performance, you will receive:
24hr Responsibility Payment
25 days annual leave + 8 public holidays
All specialised training provided
Bonus Scheme: 10% base salary, up to a maximum of two times STIP target
Company pension – employer contribution from 4% up to 9%
AVIVA Life Assurance – 6x salary
Healthcare options:
BHSF Cash Health Care Plan or
AVIVA Private Medical Insurance + Dental Scheme
Onsite gym and a variety of employee wellness initiatives
Employee Assistance Programme
Education Support Grant: £1,000 annually for each child in university
Cycle to Work Scheme
Employee Reward & Recognition Programme
Extensive Employee Discounts, including:
Local discounts (Highland Highlife, Highland Cinema, Cotswold Outdoor and more)
National schemes (salary sacrifice, retail discounts, cashback – Argos, Currys, Costa, M&S, Boots, travel and more)