Principal Automation Engineer

Location: Manchester (Mainly remote, occasional site visits) Duration: 12 Month Contract IR35: Inside (PAYE) Position Overview An experienced Automation Engineer to lead and coordinate Automation activities on a long-standing Master Service Agreement in the Oil & Gas industry (downstream), acting as the key focal point for stakeholders and vendors. Responsible for ensuring all technical, safety, commercial, and schedule requirements are met while supporting successful system integration and plant operations Key Responsibilities: Site surveying to identify cutover methods suitable for the plant outages and manual operation modes available.Lead the FEED process (engineering work requests, deliverable structure, testing & cutover strategy).Review and approve DCS / PLC proposals with vendors and integratorsReview and approve EC&I and OEM detailed design documentation.Lead multi-disciplinary design review meetings with Client, EPC and OEM subject matter experts.Develop Control Narratives from P&IDs, Operations procedures and/or reverse-engineering PLC / DCS configuration.Develop FAT, SAT and plant commissioning procedures. Experience & Minimum Requirements Experience in the oil & gas, process, utilities or pharmaceutical industriesDemonstrated engineering leadership in automation (PLC, SCADA or DCS) project FEED, detailed design and commissioning phasesKnowledge of electrical interfacing between automation systems and process industry actuators: process instrumentation, control valves, hydraulic servo controls, motor starters etc.Knowledge of hazardous area classifications and protection requirements (ATEX)Knowledge of PLC / SCADA platforms and communications protocols (Profibus, Modbus, Ethernet/IP). Preferred Requirements Degree qualified in Electrical & Electronic, Instrumentation, Automation, Chemical or equivalentExperience in sequential (batch) automation designKnowledge of fiscal metering and truck loading (terminals)EEMUA 191 Alarm Management standardIEC61508 / 61511 Functional Safety certified Skills & Attributes Client-focused approach to project deliverySelf-motivated with the ability to work both independently and as part of a teamExcellent communication and presentation skillsDetail-oriented with strong organisational skillsStrong technical troubleshooting abilitiesProficient in technical writing and documentation