Hire Remote Automation Engineers in London
Hiring automation engineers in London is slow and expensive. OSCABE gives UK companies dedicated, fully-managed automation engineers from India and the Middle East from £2,700 per month, typically around 48% below the local cost of a comparable in-house hire. OSCABE vets, employs, manages and pays each automation engineer under one UK contract, so you get a dedicated team member without opening an overseas entity.
What does it cost to hire automation engineers in London?
London salaries carry a significant premium over the UK average. The table below compares the indicative local cost of an in-house hire with a dedicated, fully-managed OSCABE professional. Figures are indicative estimates in GBP; OSCABE bills monthly in GBP or EUR.
| Seniority | Local in-house (per year) | OSCABE managed | Indicative annual saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-level | £62,100 | £2,700/mo | £29,700 |
| Senior | £94,300 | £4,800/mo | £36,700 |
Local figures are salary only and exclude employer taxes, recruitment fees, equipment and overheads, which typically add 20-40% on top.
Why hire automation engineers through OSCABE?
Around 48% lower cost
A dedicated OSCABE automation engineer starts at £2,700 per month, with no recruitment fees and no overseas entity to run.
Start in days, not months
Skip the long London hiring cycle. OSCABE shortlists pre-vetted automation engineers and your chosen hire can start within days.
Compliant and managed
Because OSCABE provides a managed B2B service with the professional employed and working wholly overseas, your UK company stays outside the off-payroll (IR35) rules and avoids the cost of an overseas entity. OSCABE is UK GDPR compliant and ISO 9001:2015 certified.
Dedicated, not freelance
Your automation engineer works only for you, in your hours and tools, fully managed by OSCABE. Not a marketplace or a rotating contractor.
Skills our automation engineers bring
Industrial automation engineers for PLC, SCADA, robotics and Industry 4.0 projects. Every OSCABE automation engineer passes a five-step vetting process before they reach your shortlist.
What to look for when you hire automation engineers
Whether you hire locally in London or through OSCABE, these are the things that separate a strong automation engineer from an average one. Our senior specialist interview checks every one before you see a shortlist.
Ask for live commissioning evidence
A strong candidate can talk through a real FAT and SAT, a loop check, and a fault they found and fixed on a running line, not just classroom projects.
Match the platform exactly
Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell Studio 5000, Schneider and Ignition are not interchangeable. Confirm hands-on hours on your specific platform and version.
Separate remote from on-site work
Programming, SCADA, HMI, testing on digital twins and remote diagnostics work well remotely. Final commissioning and physical I/O still need someone on site, which we plan around.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to hire a automation engineer in London?
A mid-level automation engineer in London typically costs around £62,100 per year in salary alone, before employer taxes, recruitment and overheads. A dedicated, fully-managed OSCABE automation engineer starts at £2,700 per month (about 48% less), with no recruitment fees and no overseas entity required.
How quickly can OSCABE provide a automation engineer?
OSCABE shortlists pre-vetted automation engineers from its India and Middle East talent network, and a chosen automation engineer can typically start within days, not the months a local hire in London usually takes.
Is it legal and compliant for a company in the United Kingdom to hire an offshore automation engineer?
Because OSCABE provides a managed B2B service with the professional employed and working wholly overseas, your UK company stays outside the off-payroll (IR35) rules and avoids the cost of an overseas entity. OSCABE is UK GDPR compliant and ISO 9001:2015 certified.
Will the automation engineer work in my time zone?
Yes. Full working-day overlap with London hours. OSCABE automation engineers work your business hours, join your stand-ups and use your tools, just like an in-house team member.
Hire automation engineers elsewhere
Other roles in London
Further reading: offshore vs nearshore vs managed team, the true cost of hiring, and how managed remote employees work.
Ready to hire automation engineers for the United Kingdom?
Tell us the role and we will shortlist vetted, dedicated automation engineers and send a monthly cost breakdown. From £2,700 per month, one UK contract.
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