Automation Engineer Contract Jobs in Edinburgh
Data Integration Engineers (Datastage & Azure Data Factory)
Posted 1 day ago by Reed Technology
ResponsibilitiesYou'll be involved in a variety of high-profile integration projects, including:Building and enhancing d...
- Rate £500 per day
- Category Outside
- Work type Remote
- Location UK; London; Birmingham; Manchester; Glasgow; Liverpool; Leeds; Edinburgh; Bristol; Cardiff; Nottingham
SailPoint Engineer
Posted 1 day ago by Fruition Group
Job Title: SailPoint EngineerContract: 6 Month Contract - Outside IR35Location: UK - RemoteDescriptionFruition is workin...
- Rate Negotiable
- Category Outside
- Work type Remote
- Location UK; London; Birmingham; Manchester; Glasgow; Liverpool; Leeds; Edinburgh; Bristol; Cardiff; Nottingham
Controls Engineer
Posted 1 day ago by Oscar Associates (UK) Limited
Key ResponsibilitiesDesign, develop and modify PLC and HMI software using Siemens TIA Portal.Carry out Factory Acceptanc...
- Rate £60 per hour
- Category Outside
- Work type Onsite
- Location UK; London; Birmingham; Manchester; Glasgow; Liverpool; Leeds; Edinburgh; Bristol; Cardiff; Nottingham
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Google Engineer Lead (DCX) - Banking & Finance
Posted 4 days ago by Hamilton Barnes
Quick CV DropoffSalary: Competitive and negotiable depending on experience.Location: Bristol, Leeds, Halifax, Manchester...
- Rate Negotiable
- Category Undetermined
- Work type Undetermined
- Location Bristol, Leeds, Halifax, Manchester, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Systems Engineer (All Levels) – Integration, Verification & Validation
Posted 5 days ago by Leonardo UK Ltd
Leonardo is seeking Systems Engineers at various levels to support the ECRS Mk0 programme, focusing on Integration, Veri...
- Rate £75,000 per year
- Category Inside
- Work type Hybrid
- Location Scotland; Glasgow; Edinburgh; Aberdeen; Perth; Dundee; Paisley; Inverness; Falkirk; Fife; Stirling
AI Engineer (Contract) - AI Cloud
Posted 1 week ago by Hamilton Barnes
The AI Engineer role involves designing, building, and deploying scalable AI/ML and GenAI solutions across the full life...
- Rate Negotiable
- Category Inside
- Work type Hybrid
- Location London, Manchester, Bristol, Leeds, Edinburgh , UK
Senior Dev Ops Engineer
Posted 1 week ago by Morson Edge
The Senior DevOps Engineer will lead the design, build, and deployment of cloud-based environments while promoting DevOp...
- Rate Negotiable
- Category Inside
- Work type Hybrid
- Location UK; London; Birmingham; Manchester; Glasgow; Liverpool; Leeds; Edinburgh; Bristol; Cardiff; Nottingham
Test Analyst - Live Poker
Posted 1 week ago by Fruition Group
The Test Analyst - Live Poker role is a fully remote contract position focused on ensuring the accuracy and consistency...
- Rate Negotiable
- Category Outside
- Work type Remote
- Location UK; London; Birmingham; Manchester; Glasgow; Liverpool; Leeds; Edinburgh; Bristol; Cardiff; Nottingham
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About Our Automation Engineer Contract Roles in Edinburgh
What does a automation engineer contractor do?
Automation Engineer contractors are engaged to design, build, and maintain automated systems that improve the efficiency, reliability, and scalability of engineering, manufacturing, and software delivery processes. The term covers two distinct but related domains: industrial automation, which involves the design and implementation of automated machinery, control systems, and robotics within manufacturing and process environments, and software test or process automation, which involves building automated testing frameworks and DevOps pipelines within technology delivery programmes. Contractors are typically brought in for defined automation projects, system upgrades, or to provide specialist expertise that a permanent team does not hold.
Technical skills expected vary significantly by domain. Industrial Automation Engineers need expertise in PLC programming, SCADA systems, robotics integration, and the relevant safety standards for automated machinery, with proficiency in platforms from vendors such as Siemens, Rockwell, or Mitsubishi depending on the client environment. Software and test automation contractors need strong programming skills, typically in Python, Java, or JavaScript, alongside experience with testing frameworks such as Selenium, Playwright, or Cypress, and familiarity with CI/CD tooling. Across both domains, the ability to design automation solutions that are maintainable, well-documented, and capable of being handed over cleanly to permanent teams is consistently valued.
What is the market like for automation engineer contractors?
Automation Engineering contracting is active across both its main domains. Industrial automation demand is being driven by manufacturing investment in productivity improvement, reshoring initiatives, and Industry 4.0 adoption, with particular activity in automotive, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and utilities. Software and test automation demand remains strong within technology and financial services organisations running large agile delivery programmes that require scalable test coverage. Contractors who span both programming ability and process knowledge are in the strongest demand across both segments, as the boundaries between industrial and software automation continue to converge.
What is the contracting market like in Edinburgh?
As the UK's second largest financial centre by assets under management, Edinburgh generates deep and recurring demand for technology, change, risk, actuarial, and regulatory contractors from its concentration of asset managers, insurers, banks, and investment firms. Scottish Government departments and agencies headquartered in the city add a public sector dimension covering digital delivery, policy implementation, and programme management. A growing fintech community draws on Edinburgh's strong university talent pipeline to feed both permanent and contract hiring. Financial services roles requiring niche expertise can command rates that match or exceed those seen elsewhere in the UK, and the city's quality of life continues to attract contractors willing to relocate from London for comparable earnings in a more manageable environment.
How much do automation engineer contractors usually earn in Edinburgh?
Contract rates for automation engineer roles in Edinburgh typically range from £400 to £750 per day, depending on the scope of the role, required expertise, and the delivery expectations of the engagement.
How many automation engineer vacancies in Edinburgh are there on Quality Contracts?
Over the past twelve months, we have tracked over 150 automation engineer contract roles across the site, with Edinburgh maintaining steady volume. Data reviewed up to June 2026.