Engineering Recruitment and Automation: Investing With Confidence in Modern Manufacturing

Richard Heaton, Managing Consultant at Cartisian Technical Recruitment says,

Across UK manufacturing, automation is increasingly seen as a practical route to improving productivity, quality, and consistency—particularly in assembly, packaging, conveying, and sortation environments.

Yet many end users still hesitate, often due to a perception that automation demands deep in-house technical expertise to run day to day.

In reality, most modern automation systems are designed to operate consistently and reliably with minimal intervention, beyond loading, unloading, routine checks, and planned maintenance. The level of technical resource required depends far more on the complexity and flexibility of the solution than on automation itself.

At Cartisian Technical Recruitment, we work with manufacturers, system integrators, and machine builders to support automation adoption in a way that’s realistic, scalable, and proportionate.

Automation Should Work for the Operator, Not the Other Way Around

Well-designed automation is intended to:

  • Run consistently once commissioned

  • Require minimal operator input

  • Deliver predictable throughput and quality

  • Be supported by preventative maintenance rather than constant engineering input

For many end users, day-to-day operation is no more complex than managing any other piece of capital equipment.

In addition, when purchasing automation, businesses often have the option to bolt on a service or support agreement, covering:

  • Planned servicing

  • Breakdown response

  • Software backups and updates

  • Ongoing technical support

This significantly reduces risk, particularly for companies investing in automation for the first time.

One Size Does Not Fit All: Matching Skills to Automation Complexity

Where skills do become a consideration is in how flexible or configurable the automation solution is.

Bespoke Special Purpose Machinery

For highly bespoke, single-purpose machines:

  • The process is fixed and repeatable

  • Changeover requirements are minimal

  • Operators typically only need training to run the machine safely and efficiently

In these cases, businesses generally do not need in-house automation or robotics engineers to realise the benefits.

Reconfigurable & Robotic Automation

More flexible technologies—such as industrial robotics—introduce additional opportunity and responsibility.

Examples include:

  • Robotic welding

  • Robotic handling and palletising

  • Multi-product or multi-format robotic cells

Here, having some internal robotics or controls capability can be highly valuable, allowing businesses to:

  • Amend robot motion or paths

  • Optimise cycle times

  • Adapt the system as products or volumes change

This is not about constant troubleshooting, it’s about unlocking the full versatility of the investment.

Supporting Automation After Installation

Many manufacturers adopt a hybrid approach, combining:

  • Supplier service agreements

  • Targeted internal skills

  • External support where required

This allows automation to scale with the business rather than constrain it.

Where additional capability is needed, this may involve:

  • Short-term engineering support during ramp-up

  • Contract engineers to support reconfiguration or optimisation

  • Strategic permanent hires once automation becomes business-critical

Engineering Recruitment as an Enabler, Not a Barrier

The key message for end users is simple:

You don’t need a large engineering team to invest in automation.
You only need the right level of support for the solution you’re buying.

At Cartisian, we support:

  • Manufacturers adopting automation technologies

  • Businesses scaling automated production

  • System integrators and machine builders delivering complex solutions

Providing access to contract or permanent engineering resource when,  and only when it genuinely adds value.

Final Thought: Invest First, Support Smartly

Automation should reduce reliance on labour, not increase it.
By selecting the right technology, pairing it with appropriate service support, and supplementing skills only where flexibility demands it, manufacturers can invest in automation with confidence.

The focus should always be on performance, uptime, and ROI, with engineering support aligned to the complexity of the solution, not treated as a prerequisite.

Contact

For a confidential conversation about automation investment, engineering capability, or how best to support your technology strategy:

Richard Heaton
Managing Consultant
Cartisian Technical Recruitment

0121 295 1610
richard@cartisian.com