Computer Futures
Technical Lead
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Overview
A leading industrial automation and systems integration business is supporting an upcoming automation project at a brownfield chemical manufacturing facility in Royston and is looking to appoint an experienced Technical Lead.
The role will focus on the technical delivery of a complex automation scope within a live operating chemical plant environment. The successful contractor will provide hands-on technical leadership across control systems design, integration, testing, commissioning and site implementation.
This role would suit a senior automation professional with proven experience delivering brownfield controls upgrades in chemical, batch manufacturing, pharmaceutical, speciality chemical, petrochemical, COMAH or other regulated process environments.
Role Purpose
The Technical Lead will be responsible for leading the technical automation scope across the project lifecycle, acting as the key interface between the systems integration team, end client, engineering disciplines, vendors, site operations and commissioning teams.
The role requires someone who can combine strong technical controls knowledge with pragmatic brownfield delivery experience, ensuring the automation solution is safe, robust, compliant and practical for a live production site.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership
- Lead the technical automation and controls scope for a brownfield chemical plant upgrade project.
- Act as the main technical point of contact for automation, control systems and integration matters.
- Review and guide technical design decisions across PLC, SCADA/HMI, Batch, instrumentation interfaces and control architecture.
- Provide technical direction to automation engineers, software engineers, commissioning engineers and third-party suppliers.
- Ensure the proposed automation solution is suitable for a live operating plant environment.
- Challenge technical assumptions and identify practical delivery risks early.
Project Delivery
- Support the delivery of automation engineering activities from design through to commissioning and handover.
- Contribute to project planning, engineering schedules, technical deliverables and milestone tracking.
- Coordinate automation interfaces with process, mechanical, electrical, EC&I and site operations teams.
- Support design reviews, technical workshops, progress meetings and client-facing discussions.
- Manage technical risks, issues and change requests throughout the project lifecycle.
- Ensure project documentation is complete, accurate and aligned with client/site requirements.
Automation & Control Systems Scope
Depending on final project requirements, responsibilities may include oversight of:
- PLC control system design, modification and integration.
- SCADA/HMI configuration and operator interface development.
- Batch control, sequence control and recipe management.
- Instrumentation and field device integration.
- Industrial networks and communications.
- Existing system assessment and brownfield modification strategy.
- Control narratives, functional specifications and design documentation.
- FAT, SAT, commissioning, performance testing and handover.
- Historian, reporting or MES/data layer interfaces where applicable.
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Brownfield Site Integration
- Assess existing plant control systems, legacy equipment and operational constraints.
- Develop and support practical migration, cutover and commissioning strategies.
- Plan automation works around live plant operations and shutdown windows.
- Liaise closely with production, operations, maintenance and process engineering teams.
- Minimise disruption to site operations while maintaining technical and safety standards.
- Support site installation, commissioning and troubleshooting activities as required.
Safety, Compliance & Quality
- Ensure automation engineering activities comply with relevant site standards, project specifications and industry good practice.
- Support functional safety considerations where applicable.
- Contribute to risk assessments, method statements and commissioning plans.
- Maintain strong change control and technical governance throughout delivery.
- Ensure all technical documentation is controlled, reviewed and handed over correctly.
- Promote safe working practices in a chemical manufacturing environment.
Candidate Profile
Essential Experience
- Strong background in automation, controls or systems integration within process manufacturing.
- Proven experience as a Technical Lead, Lead Automation Engineer, Lead Controls Engineer, Systems Lead or similar.
- Brownfield project experience within live operating plant environments.
- Experience in chemical, pharmaceutical, speciality chemical, petrochemical, food ingredients, utilities or other regulated process sectors.
- Strong knowledge of PLC, SCADA/HMI and industrial control system architecture.
- Ability to manage technical interfaces across multiple engineering disciplines.
- Experience supporting FAT, SAT, installation, commissioning and handover.
- Confident client-facing and site-facing communication skills.
- Strong documentation, planning and technical review capability.
Highly Desirable Experience
- Chemical batch automation experience.
- ISA-88 / batch control / recipe management knowledge.
- DCS or hybrid PLC/SCADA/DCS environments.
- COMAH or high-hazard site experience.
- Functional safety awareness, ideally IEC 61511 / SIL lifecycle exposure.
- Experience with Siemens, Rockwell, AVEVA/Wonderware, Ignition, Emerson, ABB, Honeywell or similar platforms.
- MES, historian, reporting or manufacturing intelligence integration.
- GAMP or validated systems experience, if applicable.
- Experience developing brownfield migration and cutover strategies.
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Suitable Backgrounds
This role may suit candidates operating under titles such as:
- Contract Technical Lead - Automation
- Lead Automation Engineer
- Lead Controls Engineer
- Control Systems Lead Engineer
- Senior Automation Engineer
- Senior Systems Engineer
- Automation Project Lead
- EC&I / Controls Lead
- DCS / PLC Technical Lead
- Batch Automation Lead
- Systems Integration Lead
Key Skills
- Automation technical leadership
- Brownfield controls upgrades
- PLC / SCADA / HMI
- Batch control / sequence control
- Chemical manufacturing
- Process plant integration
- FAT / SAT / commissioning
- Functional specifications
- Control narratives
- Industrial networks
- Site safety and change control
- Stakeholder management
- Shutdown / cutover planning
- Technical risk management
Personal Attributes
- Technically credible and hands-on when required.
- Comfortable leading engineers and coordinating third parties.
- Strong communicator with engineering, operations and client stakeholders.
- Pragmatic approach to brownfield constraints.
- Safety-conscious and detail-oriented.
- Able to operate independently as a senior contract lead.
- Delivery-focused with strong problem-solving capability.
- Comfortable working in a live chemical plant environment.
Desired Skills and Experience
- Automation technical leadership
- Brownfield controls upgrades
- PLC / SCADA / HMI
- Batch control / sequence control
- Chemical manufacturing
- Process plant integration
- FAT / SAT / commissioning
- Functional specifications
- Control narratives
- Industrial networks
- Site safety and change control
- Stakeholder management
- Shutdown / cutover planning
- Technical risk management
Please click here to find out more about our Key Information Documents. Please note that the documents provided contain generic information. If we are successful in finding you an assignment, you will receive a Key Information Document which will be specific to the vendor set-up you have chosen and your placement.
To find out more about Progressive please visit www.progressiverecruitment.com
Progressive Recruitment, a trading division of SThree Partnership LLP is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy | Registered office | 8 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4BQ, United Kingdom | Partnership Number | OC387148 England and Wales
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