Controls and Automation Engineer

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 * Maintain and support site control systems to minimise downtime and ensure rapid recovery after faults * Lead advanced troubleshooting and provide specialist controls expertise * Plan, coordinate and deliver multiple automation and control projects across a 24/7 operation * Maintain and update control system drawings and documentation * Monitor progress and performance against project objectives * Manage relationships with internal stakeholders, contractors and suppliers * Ensure compliance with legislation and site management-of-change procedures * Assist with breakdowns to maintain continuity of operations * Provide engineering support to Maintenance and Operations teams * Promote safe working practices and ensure work meets site HSEQ standards * Mentor, support and develop technicians, engineers and apprentices Candidate Requirements * Strong electrical and instrumentation knowledge * Experience with PLC, HMI and SCADA systems * PLC programming skills * HND or higher in an Engineering discipline * Strong communication, project management and problem-solving skills * 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)