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Ronnie Sullivan

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R
Join Date
May 2010
Location
London
Posts
689
What does the advertisement say to you?

Automation Controls Engineer (PLC and / or SCADA)
SalaryMarket Competitive Salary + Overtime + Benefits Location Knaresborogh Jun 2016

Automation Controls Engineer (PLC and/or SCADA)

Knaresborough

Market Competitive Salary + Overtime + Benefits Package

Automation Controls Engineer required with knowledge of PLC controls and/or SCADA for a well-respected specialist Industrial automation company that provide a variety of consultative services.
Click to expand...

Competitive salary? - really! Competitive with who - what?

It makes me laugh because we all know what it is a Euphemism for.
I get these jobs offered on a daily basis from an automation specialist agency.

I have spoken to them and told them that they must include a figure for me or anyone else to even consider applying.

The irony is these jobs are re-advertised week after week - somebody is not getting it....

A while back the agency asked me my opinion of the jobs advertised (there are a lot every day) and I told them the salaries offered were ridiculous.
About the same as an average Electrician.

Here's the rest of the job specification:

You will get involved in project based design of PLC programmes and SCADA configurations as well as being involved in the training of others and commissioning at client sites. The role is 80% office based but will involve 20% travel throughout the UK.

The company have a long history and are renowned for their innovative bespoke controls and automation solutions. They have some impressive growth forecasts and due to the size of the business, the role will be diverse.

The Role:

* Responsible for taking a project from its inception through to final commissioning. This will include site auditing, documentation, testing, validation and customer support.
* Siemens/Rockwell PLC software.
* SCADA / HMI configuration, development and commissioning.
* Product training
* Writing of functional and test specifications.
* Expenses paid and company car provided when needed
* Commissioning on site in both UK and abroad. Travelling away from the office would typically be likely to be around 20% of the engineer's time, and although mainly in the UK, could also include foreign travel with stay away monthly.

The Candidate:

* Degree / HND / HNC from a relevant field
* Experience in Siemens S7300 - 400 PLC, WinCC Flexible HMI code development and commissioning.
* Working understanding of Microsoft networking and infrastructure
* Experience in Communication networks establishment DH+,MPI, Profibus, Ethernet, OPC.
* Experience in any of the SCADA systems WinCC 6.2, 7.0, 7.2, Intouch, iFix, Cimplicity SCADA development and commissioning.
* Basic understanding of VBScripting necessary to troubleshoot SCADA scripts
* From a PLC and/or SCADA controls background and ideally plant / industrial
* Experienced in and able to design PLC programmes from scratch and/or configure SCADA systems.
* Experience of brownfield and reverse engineering is a plus
* Will hold a full and valid UK driving licence and be prepared for infrequent travel involving some stay away.
Click to expand...

So what would be a competitive salary for this position?
 
It's not much different here in the States, sometimes you see a salary range, sometimes you don't. Usually you will see the years of experience required which gives you an idea of if the position is entry-level, mid or senior level which gives you a general idea of salary.

For positions posted, I would say in the $50,000 - $130,000 ball park ;)
 
Ronnie

I get these too, they drive me nuts. They don't seem to understand that the person they are seeking is going to be an intelligent professional engineer and so they use the same process as they do for a burger flipper.

I think they are dumbed down so that recruitment agency staff can understand them.

I try to get off the lists if I can as I don't want to be an employee for anyone else but me.

For the role described, I'd expect £75K min
 
Advertising is a strange business in itself but if one sees the same "Paid" advertisements week after week or month after month you can be sure that it's effective or it will be changed. No business can afford to waste money on things that don't work.
 
Now what if the job posting were to include:
Expected to be on call from Sunday morning @ 5 am, to Saturday @noon and anything in between to back up a single bubba that has 0 control experience. As well as a minimum 44 hour work week. Also chance of a call on Saturday afternoon if sanitation has difficulties with equipment.

How much would you say the expected salary would be then.

In other words, can you put a price on being the only man, 24/7, flushing any free time down the drain as well as making a cranky wife!

Hypothetically speaking of course. Though this does seem to be the normal expectation of an automation tech in many cases!

Is there a fair dollar value for this kind of expectation?
Would you even accept such a position?
 
A Control Systems Engineer job in North Yorkshire working with an leading international food manufacturer.

Your new company
Manufacturing for the food industry, my client operates internationally with 15 manufacturing facilities in the UK and a further 7 in the United States. the facility in Yorkshire is a leading manufacturer of cooking sauces supplied to retail, food services and wholesale customers.

Your new role
As Control Systems Engineer, you will schedule and complete regular maintenance of manufacturing unit systems to ensure they are up to date and operate tot he appropriate code of practice, whilst developing a robust infrastructure of control systems and build front line capability to ensure routine problem solving is actioned. You will also have responsibility for maintaining IT solutions to the manufacture infrastructure systems, collaborating with engineers and production staff to enhance production efficiency.

What you'll need to succeed
You will have a strong background within Control Systems Engineering, ideally within an FMCG environment. There will be a need for high level engineering skills to cover all systems (Allen Bradley PLC, SCADA and three term controllers, pneumatics, hydraulics appropriate to local kit) with demonstrable ability of programming Programme Logic Control.

What you'll get in return
You will be working with an industry leading company, earning a salary considered very generous for the role. The organisation offers outstanding staff support with ongoing training and development opportunities. The is an outstanding opportunity to establish yourself with a solid FMCG manufacturer.
Click to expand...

This one is from Hays and salary is quoted as £40k to £50k
 
Ronnie Sullivan said:
Experience of brownfield and reverse engineering is a plus
Click to expand...
I can't even apply, I don't know what that means.
Click to expand...

I can help you there. It means "we've got a s*** ton of old, obsolete, cheap and nasty, unsupported equipment onsite, the vendors all went out of business years ago, the hardware is failing, nobody has any idea how it works, and we want you to make it work properly. Without spending too much money. Or upgrading it."
 
Hey Ronnie,

How much money would you demand during the interview with the position you have posted, in UK ? And if it is not rude to ask, how much money do you make with your current contract ?
 
Easy91 said:
Hey Ronnie,

How much money would you demand during the interview with the position you have posted, in UK ? And if it is not rude to ask, how much money do you make with your current contract ?
Click to expand...

Steady on old chap, us Brits are very secretive about our salaries !
 
Chris Taylor said:
Ronnie

I get these too, they drive me nuts. They don't seem to understand that the person they are seeking is going to be an intelligent professional engineer and so they use the same process as they do for a burger flipper.

I think they are dumbed down so that recruitment agency staff can understand them.

I try to get off the lists if I can as I don't want to be an employee for anyone else but me.

For the role described, I'd expect £75K min
Click to expand...

Hmmm, I'm pretty much doing that job (minus the car) for just over £40k, I hope you're joking...
 

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