Automation Engineer
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£42,500
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role may qualify for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 3113 is an eligible occupation, but we are only 45% sure that is the right code. Hilton Foods UK is a licensed sponsor, so if the code fits, the role should qualify. Check the occupation eligibility rules against what the job actually involves.
Worth checking: this could also be SOC 5246 (Electrical service and maintenance mechanics and repairers), which is not on the eligible-occupation list. Ask Hilton Foods UK what the duties actually are.
About the role
Role: Automation Engineer
Location: Estate Road, Grimsby
Shift: Monday-Friday days, 6-2. & 8-4 alternating each week.
About us:
We are a company that takes pride in our people as it is our people who are at the centre of everything that we do.
We have multi-category expertise with a focus on quality and innovation. We deliver what customers need and consumers want with expert taste and growth mindset.
Our business began with meat, and we've developed and extend a market-leading expertise within Seafood, with unmatched quality globally. We're always investing in new technology to deliver more value, efficiency and consumer-led innovative solutions.
What we are looking for:
We are looking for a professional and experienced Automation Engineer to join our growing Engineering team. As an Automation Engineer you will provide frontline maintenance and breakdown support for automated equipment across the site, including the automated ColdStore. Diagnose and rectify electrical, control, automation and mechanical faults safely and efficiently to minimise downtime and maintain production flow and work collaboratively with Engineering, Operations and external specialists to improve equipment reliability, availability and performance.
Key responsibilities as an Automation Engineer will be to:
- Ensure the health and safety of yourself and others remains the first priority during all activities.
- Correct, isolate or promptly report hazards that could cause injury, equipment damage or food safety risk.
- Complete all work in line with food safety requirements, good manufacturing practice and site engineering standards.
- Respond quickly and effectively to automation breakdowns, prioritising production-critical equipment and clearly communicating progress and handover status.
- Fault-find PLC-controlled systems, HMIs, sensors, safety circuits, drives, motors, conveyors and associated mechanical equipment within your competence.
- Support the reliable operation of the automated ColdStore, working with site teams and specialist suppliers where escalation is required.
- Complete planned maintenance, inspections and functional checks on automated equipment, recording work and raising follow-on actions through the site maintenance system.
- Identify repeat failures, support root cause analysis and implement practical improvements that increase uptime, safety and maintainability.
- Support automation projects, software and hardware changes, equipment trials, commissioning and the controlled return of equipment to service.
Required experience/expertise to succeed as an Automation Engineer will include:
- Multi-skilled or work towards qualification
- Must be a team player.
- Excellent communications skills
- Can-do, hands-on approach to your work
- Flexible in work approach
- Be able to demonstrate a proven track record within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
What you get in return:
Great package with competitive holiday allowance
Life assurance of minimum two times yearly salary
Opportunities for development and internal promotion
Share Save scheme
Free car parking on site
Enhanced Maternity/Paternity
Hilton Food Group - Home (hiltonfoodgroupplc.com)
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with Hilton Foods UK, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Engineering technicians (SOC 3113) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~91k in sample- Middle half £33,540–50,648
- Median £42,172
- Going rate £42,500
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £33,400–38,300
Similar sponsored roles
See all UK visa jobsNo close matches live right now.
Browse more sponsored jobs at Hilton Foods UKAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. Hilton Foods UK holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 3113 going rate of £42,500. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.