Birmingham and the wider West Midlands have been the beating heart of Britain's automotive industry for over a century. Today, the region is undergoing a dramatic transformation as manufacturers pivot to electric vehicles, and the demand for automation engineers has never been higher.
The EV Revolution in the West Midlands
The shift to electric vehicle production is reshaping Birmingham's automotive landscape. Jaguar Land Rover's Solihull and Castle Bromwich plants are transitioning to EV platforms, requiring entirely new automated production lines. BMW's Hams Hall engine plant, LEVC in Coventry, and the growing network of battery and component suppliers all need automation engineers.
The West Midlands Gigafactory project and associated supply chain investments are creating hundreds of new automation roles across the region.
Why Automation Engineers Are Critical
Modern automotive manufacturing is one of the most automated industries in the world. Every stage of vehicle production relies on sophisticated control systems:
- Body shop — Robotic welding cells controlled by PLCs, with safety systems managing hundreds of robots
- Paint shop — Environmental control, conveyor sequencing, and quality inspection systems
- Assembly — Torque monitoring, vision inspection, and line balancing systems
- Battery production — Clean room automation, electrode processing, and cell assembly systems requiring precision control
- Logistics — AGV fleets, automated warehousing, and just-in-sequence delivery systems
Roles Available in Birmingham
The West Midlands automotive sector offers diverse automation roles:
Controls Engineer — OEM Plants
Working directly for vehicle manufacturers on production line automation. Salaries range from GBP 40,000 to GBP 58,000, often with excellent benefits packages including company cars and pension schemes.
Robotics Engineer
Programming and maintaining industrial robots from FANUC, ABB, KUKA, and Yaskawa. These roles combine PLC skills with robot programming and typically pay GBP 42,000 to GBP 60,000.
System Integrator Engineer
Working for companies that design and build automated systems for automotive clients. These roles offer variety, travel, and exposure to cutting-edge technology. Salaries range from GBP 38,000 to GBP 55,000.
Commissioning Engineer
Travelling to install and commission new automated lines in automotive plants. Contractor day rates range from GBP 350 to GBP 500, with long-term projects common.
Key Skills Employers Want
Birmingham automotive employers are looking for:
- Siemens TIA Portal and S7-1500 — The dominant PLC platform in European automotive
- Allen-Bradley ControlLogix — Used in many American-owned suppliers
- Robot programming — FANUC and ABB are the most common in West Midlands plants
- Safety systems — SafetyPLC programming and risk assessment to machinery directive standards
- Industrial vision — Camera-based inspection systems are integral to modern automotive quality
How to Position Yourself
- Get CPD-accredited PLC training — <a href="/plc-training-birmingham">PLC training in Birmingham</a> from EDWartens covers the platforms that local employers use.
- Learn safety systems — Automotive safety requirements are stringent. Understanding safety PLCs and safety-rated functions is a significant differentiator.
- Develop robotics knowledge — Even basic robot awareness makes you more valuable to automotive employers.
- Understand automotive standards — Familiarise yourself with IATF 16949 quality management and automotive-specific automation standards.
- Network in the region — The West Midlands has a strong engineering community with regular events and professional groups.
The Outlook
The West Midlands automotive sector is investing billions in EV transition. This is not a short-term trend — it is a fundamental restructuring that will create sustained demand for automation engineers throughout the late 2020s and into the 2030s. Engineers who develop the right skills now will be positioned for decades of rewarding work.