Principal Automation Engineer - (Oil & Gas, Downstream) Contract Details Duration: 12 Months Working Pattern: 5 Days per Week (40 Hours) Location: Manchester (Hybrid Working) Rate: £55-65 PAYE per hour (plus holiday pay) Position Overview We are seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to lead and coordinate automation activities under a long-term Master Service Agreement within the downstream Oil & Gas sector. This role will act as the primary focal point for stakeholders, vendors, and project teams, ensuring that all technical, safety, commercial, and schedule requirements are delivered successfully. The successful candidate will play a critical role in system integration, plant operations, and project execution from FEED through to commissioning. Key Responsibilities Conduct site surveys to identify optimal cutover strategies aligned with plant outages and manual operation capabilities Lead the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) process, including: Engineering work requests Deliverable structuring Testing and cutover strategies Review and approve DCS / PLC proposals from vendors and system integrators Review and approve EC&I and OEM detailed design documentation Facilitate and lead multi-disciplinary design review meetings with Client, EPC, and OEM stakeholders Develop Control Narratives from: P&IDs Operational procedures Existing PLC/DCS configurations (reverse engineering where required) Develop and oversee execution of: Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) Site Acceptance Tests (SAT) Commissioning procedures Coordinate and lead on-site commissioning activitiesExperience & Minimum Requirements Proven experience within Oil & Gas, process, utilities, or pharmaceutical industries Demonstrated leadership across: FEED Detailed design Commissioning phases Strong knowledge of automation systems: PLC, SCADA, DCS Experience with electrical interfacing, including: Process instrumentation Control valves Hydraulic servo systems Motor starters Understanding of hazardous area classifications (ATEX) Familiarity with industrial communication protocols: Profibus Modbus Ethernet/IPPreferred Qualifications Degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Instrumentation, Automation, Chemical Engineering, or equivalent Experience with batch/sequential automation systems Knowledge of: Fiscal metering systems Truck loading/terminal operations Familiarity with: EEMUA 191 Alarm Management Functional Safety standards (IEC 61508 / IEC 61511) Get in touch nowIf you're seeking a new opportunity and think you have the relevant skills and experience our client is looking for, then this could be the opportunity for you, so apply now or contact Stuart Cooper via LinkedIn. Millbank Holdings Ltd is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background, and encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, and we are committed to ensuring an accessible and supportive recruitment process for everyone. If you require any adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate. Millbank operates as both an Employment Agency and an Employment Business