Automation Engineer

Overview

In this role, you will oversee automation, controls and electrical systems to support product quality, safety and efficiency. You will work closely with manufacturing teams to lead safety improvements, drive continuous improvement and deliver automation projects from concept to handover. You will shape the site’s engineering capability by developing controls and data-driven processes that boost reliability and throughput. This is a chance to apply your expertise in a global manufacturing environment and contribute to energy savings and safer operations.

Responsibilities

• Ensure automation, controls and electrical systems comply with site safety standards and legal requirements
• Lead machinery safety assessments, electrical safety improvements and MOC activities
• Support incident investigations and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence
• Promote safe working practices, permit-to-work compliance, LOTO and contractor safety management
• Develop and maintain control systems that support consistent product quality and process stability
• Investigate process and equipment issues using root cause analysis and implement permanent solutions
• Support quality improvement initiatives through automation and data-driven process control
• Ensure all automation changes are documented, tested and validated in line with quality requirements
• Identify and implement automation solutions that reduce waste, energy consumption and operating costs
• Support preventive maintenance strategies to minimise unplanned downtime and repair costs
• Manage automation project budgets and ensure effective use of engineering resources
• Drive efficiency improvements through equipment optimisation and process standardisation
• Improve equipment reliability, OEE and manufacturing throughput through automation and controls improvements
• Lead automation and capital projects from design through commissioning and handover
• Provide technical support to minimise downtime and restore production quickly during equipment failures
• Work with operations teams to identify and remove process bottlenecks
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using automation, data analysis and engineering best practices
• Identify opportunities for new technologies and digital solutions to improve manufacturing performance
• Develop and maintain PLC, HMI and SCADA systems to support operational excellence
• Contribute to site improvement roadmaps and long-term engineering strategies
• Provide technical leadership and expertise across automation, controls and electrical systems
• Coach and support maintenance and operations teams in fault finding and equipment operation
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, contractors and equipment supplier
• Support skills development and knowledge sharing to improve overall engineering capability

Key requirements

• Proven experience programming, commissioning, troubleshooting and maintaining PLC-controlled equipment (essential)
• Experience with Allen Bradley, Siemens, Mitsubishi, Omron or equivalent PLC platforms (essential)
• Experience developing and modifying HMI and SCADA systems (essential)
• Experience with industrial communications networks including Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Profibus, Modbus or similar (essential)
• Experience with servo drives, VSDs, motion control and instrumentation systems (desirable)
• Proven experience delivering automation and controls projects from concept through commissioning (essential)
• Experience managing contractors, project budgets, schedules and technical specifications (desirable)
• Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement experience (essential)
• Six Sigma Yellow Belt or equivalent (desirable)
• Experience working within a manufacturing environment (essential)
• Knowledge of root cause analysis methodologies and problem-solving tools (essential)
• Experience working within ISO9001 and/or IATF16949 environments (desirable)

• collaboration with cross-functional teams
• leadership and mentoring
• analytical problem-solving
• PLC programming (Allen Bradley, Siemens, Mitsubishi, Omron)
• HMI/SCADA development
• industrial networks (Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Profibus, Modbus)

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