The UK industrial automation sector is experiencing a significant skills shortage. According to industry reports, there are thousands of unfilled automation roles across the country, with demand growing as manufacturers invest in Industry 4.0 technologies. This presents an excellent opportunity for aspiring engineers.
The UK Automation Job Market
The UK automation market is valued at several billion pounds and continues to grow. Key sectors hiring automation engineers include:
- Manufacturing: Automotive, aerospace, food and beverage, FMCG
- Energy: Oil and gas, nuclear, renewable energy
- Infrastructure: Water treatment, transport, building management
- Pharmaceuticals: Process automation, serialisation, batch control
- Logistics: Warehouse automation, conveyor systems, robotics
Major employers include Siemens, ABB, Schneider Electric, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, and hundreds of system integrators across the country.
Essential Skills
To land your first automation role, you need a combination of technical and practical skills:
Core Technical Skills:
- PLC programming (Siemens TIA Portal and/or Allen-Bradley Studio 5000)
- HMI/SCADA development
- Industrial networking (PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, Modbus)
- Electrical schematics reading
- Basic control theory and instrumentation
Practical Skills:
- Panel wiring and hardware installation
- Commissioning and testing
- Fault finding and troubleshooting
- Documentation and technical writing
Soft Skills:
- Problem-solving under pressure
- Communication with multi-disciplinary teams
- Willingness to travel and work shifts during commissioning
Qualifications
While a traditional engineering degree is valuable, it is not the only path into automation:
- Engineering Degree (BEng/MEng): Electrical, electronic, mechatronic, or control systems engineering degrees provide a strong foundation.
- HNC/HND in Electrical or Electronic Engineering: A practical alternative to a full degree.
- Professional Training Programmes: Intensive, industry-focused programmes like those offered by EDWartens can take you from beginner to job-ready in months rather than years.
- Apprenticeships: Some employers offer automation apprenticeships combining work experience with qualifications.
Salary Expectations
UK automation engineering salaries vary by experience and location:
- Graduate/Entry Level: GBP 28,000 to GBP 35,000
- Junior Automation Engineer (1 to 3 years): GBP 35,000 to GBP 45,000
- Automation Engineer (3 to 5 years): GBP 45,000 to GBP 60,000
- Senior/Lead Engineer (5 plus years): GBP 60,000 to GBP 85,000
- Controls Manager/Principal Engineer: GBP 75,000 to GBP 100,000 plus
Contract rates for experienced engineers range from GBP 350 to GBP 550 per day.
The Fastest Route In
If you want to break into the industry quickly, here is a practical roadmap:
- Enrol in an intensive PLC training programme that includes hands-on hardware experience.
- Build a portfolio of projects demonstrating your programming skills.
- Obtain industry certifications such as Siemens Certified Professional or CPD-accredited credentials.
- Network through LinkedIn, automation forums, and industry events.
- Apply to system integrators as they are often more willing to hire and train junior engineers than end-user manufacturers.
- Consider contract roles as they can offer faster entry and accelerated experience.
At EDWartens, our UK programmes are specifically designed to bridge the gap between education and employment. With CPD accreditation and a dedicated career support programme, we provide the fastest route into a rewarding automation career. Career support is provided but employment is not guaranteed.
