Industrial Automation Leader

On behalf of our client, a global market leader in intelligent manufacturing solutions we are currently recruiting an Industrial Automation Leader to join their growing controls and automation team in Coventry.

The Role

You'll coordinate controls activities across a range of automation projects, covering electrical and fluid hardware, PLCs, robotics, drives, safety, and vision systems. Working closely with engineering, project management, installation teams, and hardware designers, you'll ensure solutions are delivered professionally, efficiently, and right first time.

This role combines hands-on technical leadership with project level responsibility, including specification definition, design approval, feasibility support, commissioning planning, and customer facing engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and own controls specifications across multiple projects
• Validate designs and approve PLC, HMI, robotics, safety, drives, vision, and SCADA systems
• Interpret customer and regulatory requirements to ensure alignment with project needs
• Support change control for all controls related activities
• Plan design briefs, installation approaches, and integration strategies
• Approve FDS/HDS/SDS documentation based on RFQ/URS requirements
• Work with project leads to plan resource, milestones, and delivery status
• Contribute to RFQs, commissioning plans, FAT specifications, and automation trackers
• Promote new technologies and best practice methods
• Mentor and support engineers, encouraging multi-skilling and capability development

What You'll Bring

• 5+ years' experience in automation or machine build environments
• Experience leading controls engineers across multiple projects
• Strong technical capability across:
  • PLC/HMI programming (Siemens, Rockwell, Beckhoff)
  • Robotics (ABB, Fanuc, Kawasaki)
  • Safety systems (Pilz, Siemens Safety, Rockwell)
  • Drives & motion (Siemens, SEW, Bosch)
  • Vision systems (Cognex, Keyence)
• Solid understanding of automation standards, risk assessment, and machinery safety
• Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Engineering degree or equivalent experience
• Vendor training/certifications (Siemens, Rockwell, Beckhoff, ABB, Fanuc)

Benefits

• Competitive salary - up to £60,000 dependent on experience
• Flat rate overtime for every hour above 38 hours per week
• Company car allowance
• BUPA Private Medical Plan
• Pension - 4% of Annual Salary.
• Death in Service - 2 x Annual Salary.
• Holidays - 25 days plus 8 Statutory Bank Holidays.
• Flexible working - 38hrs per week