Industrial Automation Engineer- 6 months initially - Inside IR35 - Onsite in Preston or BristolHamilton Barnes is seeking a hands-on and experienced Industrial Automation Engineer to join one of the UK''s leading Aerospace organisations on an initial six-month contract. In this on-site role (based in Preston or Bristol), you will be a vital part of the team supporting and maintaining critical shop floor automation and MES systems. You will work closely with IT, engineering, OEMs, and business users to troubleshoot and resolve issues, deliver permanent solutions to recurring problems, and ensure the seamless integration of manufacturing systems, including PLCs, SCADA, HMI, and MES. This role is key to ensuring high system availability, performance optimisation, and the continuous improvement of production operations in a secure, regulated environment. Key Responsibilities: Collaborate with the support team to troubleshoot and resolve application and system issues within defined SLAs. Support integration between MES and the factory automation layer, including machine-level systems (PLCs, SCADA, HMI). Liaise with OEMs, suppliers, and business users to resolve technical issues and coordinate service activities. Provide technical support and mentorship to team members, including cross-coverage when required. What You Will Ideally Bring: Solid hands-on experience with MES/MOM technologies (eg, Aveva/Wonderware Intouch). Good understanding of PLCs, SCADA, HMI, sensors, IIOT devic