About Our Outside IR35 Automation Engineer Contract Roles
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 does Outside IR35 mean?
IR35 is UK tax legislation that determines whether a contractor is genuinely self-employed or working in a manner that resembles employment. When a contract is classified as outside IR35, the engagement is treated as a business-to-business arrangement. The contractor operates through their own limited company, invoices for services, and manages their own tax affairs including corporation tax, self-assessment, and VAT where applicable.
Outside IR35 engagements are assessed against three key factors: the degree of control the client exercises over how the work is delivered, whether the contractor has a genuine right to provide a substitute, and whether there is a mutuality of obligation between the parties. Contracts that demonstrate contractor autonomy, project-based delivery, and the absence of ongoing employment obligations are more likely to sit outside IR35. Since April 2021, responsibility for making this determination sits with the end client for medium and large private sector organisations.
On QualityContracts.co.uk, approximately 28% of roles with a stated IR35 status are classified as outside IR35. The proportion varies by sector and role type, with some disciplines seeing a significantly higher or lower share of outside IR35 opportunities. Each listing on this page displays its IR35 status where provided by the hiring organisation.
What automation engineer roles are usually Outside IR35?
Automation engineering sits close to an even IR35 split, with around 45% of contracts across contracts with a declared IR35 position falling outside. Building a test automation framework from scratch, implementing RPA for a defined set of processes, or automating a deployment pipeline are all examples of work that can be clearly scoped as a deliverable. Manufacturing, logistics, and technology companies generate most outside IR35 automation engineering demand, alongside dedicated testing consultancies.
How much do automation engineer contractors usually earn when working Outside IR35?
Contract rates for automation engineer roles typically range from £400 to £750 per day, depending on the scope of the role, required expertise, and the delivery expectations of the engagement. Rates shown are for outside IR35 engagements and reflect the gross day rate paid to the contractor's limited company before any personal tax obligations.
How many Outside IR35 automation engineer vacancies are there on Quality Contracts?
Over the past twelve months, we have tracked over 150 automation engineer contract roles across the site. Of the roles currently listed on our site, around one in four are Outside IR35. Data reviewed up to May 2026.