Automation & PLC Maintenance Engineer

Maintenance & PLC Technician

Department: Manufacturing

Location: Coventry

Job Type: Full-Time

The Role

We are looking for an experienced Maintenance & PLC Technician to join a manufacturing environment and play a key role in ensuring the reliability, availability and performance of highly automated production and sequencing equipment.

This is a hands‑on technical role combining electrical, mechanical, automation and PLC expertise, with responsibility for fault finding, preventative maintenance, PLC programming and modifications, equipment optimisation and continuous improvement.

You will work closely with Production, Quality and Engineering teams to minimise downtime, improve process capability and ensure equipment operates safely and efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

1. Maintenance & Reliability
2. Carry out planned preventative, predictive and reactive maintenance across production equipment.
3. Diagnose and repair electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic and automation faults.
4. Manage maintenance activities, records and data through a CMMS system.
5. Maintain appropriate levels of critical spare parts, including stock control, availability and obsolescence.
6. Ensure all maintenance activities comply with EHS, quality, regulatory and safety standards.
7. Coordinate and supervise maintenance work involving external contractors and building facilities.
8. Support and supervise Production teams during TPM and autonomous maintenance activities.
9. Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability and reduce unplanned downtime.
10. Equipment Availability & Automation
11. Ensure production equipment achieves required availability, reliability and performance targets.
12. Troubleshoot complex equipment failures, including PLC and automation faults.
13. Modify, adjust and develop PLC programmes to restore and improve equipment functionality.
14. Provide technical support to equipment suppliers during remote and on-site interventions.
15. Identify recurring equipment failures and implement effective root cause corrective actions.
16. Work with Engineering and Quality teams to optimise equipment and production processes.
17. Contribute to continuous improvement projects designed to increase line performance and efficiency.
18. Process Capability & Quality
19. Monitor and maintain critical process parameters to ensure stable and capable production processes.
20. Support Quality teams with the qualification and parametrisation of new products, including PPAP activities.
21. Assist with root cause analysis of production rejects, defects and process deviations.
22. Develop and implement effective corrective and preventative actions (CAPA).
23. Modify and develop PLC programmes to improve process capability, repeatability and line performance.
24. Work collaboratively with Production, Quality and Engineering teams to prevent recurring issues.

Skills & Technical Expertise

The successful candidate will have a strong multi-skilled engineering background with particular strength in PLC programming and industrial automation.

Essential Technical Skills

• Strong experience in a highly automated manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience in PLC programming, modification and fault finding.
• Multi-skilled knowledge covering:
• Electrical systems
• Industrial automation
• PLCs and industrial communications
• Mechanical systems
• Pneumatics
• Hydraulics
• Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, technical documentation and engineering specifications.
• Strong fault-finding and diagnostic abilities.
• Experience using CMMS maintenance systems.
• Understanding of preventative and predictive maintenance principles.
• Experience with root cause analysis and continuous improvement.

Qualifications & Experience

• Technical qualification in Electromechanical Engineering, Automation, Electrical Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum 3 years' experience within a highly automated industrial/manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrable experience or formal certification in PLC programming.
• Experience working with automated production equipment.

Key Competencies

Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis

• Strong analytical and diagnostic skills.
• Ability to identify the underlying cause of equipment and process failures.
• Capable of implementing effective long-term corrective actions rather than temporary fixes.

Safety & Compliance

• Strong commitment to EHS and safe working practices.
• Ability to identify hazards and manage risks associated with maintenance activities.
• Consistently works in accordance with procedures, legislation and engineering standards.

Communication & Teamwork

• Ability to work effectively with Production, Quality, Engineering and external suppliers.
• Confident communicating technical information to both engineering and non‑engineering colleagues.
• Able to support and guide Production teams during maintenance and TPM activities.

Continuous Improvement

• Proactive approach to improving equipment reliability, process capability and production efficiency.
• Ability to identify opportunities for automation and process improvement.
• Willingness to develop and implement new technical solutions.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for a hands‑on, technically strong Maintenance & PLC Technician who enjoys fault finding, solving complex automation problems and improving manufacturing equipment.

The ideal candidate will combine strong PLC and automation knowledge with practical multi‑skilled maintenance experience and a proactive approach to reducing downtime and improving production performance.

MAN24

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