Senior Automation Engineer

Job Title: Senior Automation Engineer

Location: Colworth Science Park

Background Info

The job holder will join the Ice Cream Modelling and Analytics team within the Digital and Data group, part of the Ice Cream Research, Design and Innovation (RD&I) organization. This team is dedicated to promoting an in-silico first culture by leading the model building program within RD&I. Leveraging cutting-edge digital technologies such as AI, automation, and robotics, the team aims to cultivate a data-driven decision-making environment. This approach ensures faster and more effective innovation, thereby supporting the growth of The Magnum Ice Cream Company.

JOB PURPOSE

We are seeking a forward-thinking Senior Automation Engineer to join our pioneering team. This role involves identifying opportunities and lead projects to automate workflows in Labs and Pilot Plants. The goal is to enhance efficiency and ensure critical workflows are performed consistently with good data quality outputs for insight discovery.

 The job holder will design, implement, and maintain smart lab infrastructure including robotic solutions, real-time data acquisition, and connected systems that interface seamlessly with simulation models, AI tools, and digital twins—enabling data-rich workflows that power virtual product and process development.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and deploy automated experimental systems, integrating robotic platforms, sensors, and control software to enable reproducible, high-throughput lab experiments and pilot plant trials.
• Lead troubleshooting, calibration, and continuous improvement of automation systems to ensure reliability and performance
• Collaborate with process modellers, data scientists, and product developers to align automation strategies with simulation and modelling needs.
• Implement and maintain IoT and data acquisition systems that capture real-time process parameters and feed them into modelling platforms.
• Develop robust control architectures and automation protocols (e.g., using PLCs, SCADA, LabVIEW, Python-based systems).
• Ensure seamless integration between physical lab and pilot plant assets and in silico environments, enabling feedback loops between digital models and physical execution.
• Contribute to the creation of digital twins and closed-loop experimentation frameworks where models drive real-time control and decision-making.
• Drive best practices in data integrity, connectivity, and security across all automated platforms.
• Collaborate with external technology providers, integrators, and academic partners to evaluate and adopt new lab and pilot plant automation technologies.

ALL ABOUT YOU

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Experience in designing and implementing automation solutions, ideally in R&D or manufacturing environments (food or pharma experience is a plus).
• Proven experience in writing User Requirements Specifications (URS) and effectively collaborating with external vendors, integrators, or partners throughout the project lifecycle.
• Proficiency in robotic systems, sensors, and control software such as PLCs, SCADA, LabVIEW, or Python-based frameworks.
• Experience with IoT systems, real-time data capture, and integration with data analytics or modelling environments.
• Understanding of process engineering principles and familiarity with lab-scale and pilot plant unit operations (e.g., mixing, heating, freezing).
• Ability to work in cross-functional teams and bridge disciplines like food science, data science, and engineering.
• Passion for enabling science through technology, with a strong problem-solving and continuous improvement mindset.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills to support collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Key Standards of Leadership

• Purpose and Service
• Agility
• Passion for High Performance

Key Interfaces

• IC RD&I project and workstream leaders and team members
• RD&I Digital and Data group
• RD&I Novel Formats and Process Team
• RD&I AMTC (Colworth)
• Supply Chain

NOTES

About Unilever

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Food, Home and Personal Care products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2 billion consumers a day. Unilever has more than 400 brands found in homes around the world, including Dove, Tresemme, Lynx, Lifebuoy, Shea Moisture, Persil, Domestos, Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, Marmite, The Vegetarian Butcher, Graze and Pot Noodle.

Faced with the challenge of climate change and the need for human development, we want to move towards a world where everyone can live well and within the natural limits of the planet. That’s why our purpose is ‘to make sustainable living commonplace’ 

What We Offer

Not only do we offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, we also offer an annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.

Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We are a key advocate of wellbeing and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all.

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities and growing together for better business performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Unilever | Unilever.

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How is Unilever tackling this?

Many of Unilever’s recruitment sites publish a warning to candidates about recruitment fraud. The Cyber Security team also proactively scan for signs of people setting up fake Unilever sites and act to close them down.

What can I do?

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