Project Engineer – Robotic Automation Systems in Bedford

Location: Bedfordshire MK45 3LW, with periodic travel within the UK to support the delivery and installation of completed systems
Salary: £40,000-£46,000 per annum, dependent on relevant experience and qualifications

Contract: Full-time, permanent

Overview

LCM Engineering and Consultancy Ltd is a technically driven engineering company with a strong track record of delivering diverse robotic automation systems across the automotive and general manufacturing sectors.

We are now recruiting for a Project Engineer (Robotic Automation Systems - Automotive & General Industry) to play a key part in delivering our robot-automated line-building projects and other assembly builds, from start to finish. Reporting to the head of programs you’ll have the opportunity to develop and lead your own project team, primarily operating within the automotive sector (Tier 1 High Volume, OEM Niche Vehicle) and also increasingly within wider general industry.

You’ll be the person who brings it all together, coordinating engineering, manufacturing, installation, supply chain and customer stakeholders. Your goal is to make sure every project is delivered on time, within budget, and to the customer’s technical standards and specifications.

This role also has a clear development path, with the chance to progress into project management and beyond for the right person.

What you’ll be doing

Program Leadership & Delivery

• Lead full lifecycle delivery of automation projects, niche vehicle tooling projects, from concept and design through installation, commissioning, and customer handover.

• Develop and maintain project timing plans, milestones, budgets and technical oversight

• Ensure all projects meet customer specifications, regulatory requirements & internal quality standards & procedures.

• Maintain overall project leadership, including change control, client management & interface, internal resources and supplier & contract management.

Stakeholder & Client Management

• Serve as the primary customer interface, managing expectations, scope, and communication.

• Facilitate cross‑functional collaboration between engineering, build shop, robot & automation, installation, and commercial teams.

• Prepare and deliver executive‑level programme updates, budget control & forecasts, and project performance reports.

Financial & Commercial Control

• Program Budget control and reporting, ensuring accurate forecasting, cost control, and margin protection.

• Manage contract obligations, variations, claims, and commercial negotiations.

• Oversee procurement strategy for long‑lead and critical equipment.

Technical & Operational Coordination

• Coordinate all internal and external disciplines to achieve the project deliverables, including Design & Engineering, Manufacture & build of both tooling & facilities, Robot Programming, Controls and installation.

• Oversee factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), commissioning, through to customer buy-off & handover.

Risk, Safety & Compliance

• Identify Process & Equipment risks and implement mitigation strategies.

• Ensure all site activities comply with HSE regulations, customer safety standards, and internal policies.

What you’ll bring

Essential

• Proven experience managing automation, automotive, or industrial line‑building & tooling programs.

• Strong understanding of mechanical principles will be an advantage, along with relevant experience of automation, robotics, tooling & assembly processes & systems.

• Previous experience of programs based around automation of: Resistance Spotwelding, MIG welding, Robot Handling, Automated screw fixing, clinching, SPR, Adhesive applications.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multi‑disciplinary engineering teams and subcontractors.

• Excellent commercial acumen, including contract management, budget management and cost/change control.

• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder‑management skills.

• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple concurrent workstreams.

• Engineering qualification and/ or time served apprenticeship.

Desirable

• Experience with automotive OEM standards and processes.

• Understanding of Integration and commissioning roles, including interdependencies of multi-functional teams.

• Previous project management experience within automotive or general industry.

Qualifications

• HNC or above in Engineering, Project Management, or related technical field (or equivalent experience).

• Additional project/programme management training would be an advantage.

About you

You’re highly organised, structured and proactive. You solve problems calmly, make decisions with confidence, and you’re comfortable leading in fast-paced, high-stakes environments. You communicate well and build trust easily with both clients and internal teams. You’ll be at home working within a senior management team, and you know how to bring internal and external stakeholders together into one cohesive project team.

Why join LCM Engineering & Consultancy?

At LCM, our work is varied and technically rewarding. It ranges from fully automated robot assembly systems and turnkey process-controlled lines to welding, bonding, riveting and adhesive applications for the automotive sector, hand-built tooling for niche vehicle manufacturers, and bespoke special-purpose machines for general industry. Because we’re a close-knit team, your work is visible, and your contribution really counts. You won’t be a small cog in a large machine; you’ll see your projects through from the first concept to the moment the customer signs off. We’re committed to developing our people, and we’ll support you in your career growth with us.

LCM Engineering and Consultancy Ltd is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know what you need.