Automation Engineer

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement control logic: develop, test and optimise PLC programs and HMI screens; author control narratives, I/O lists and ladder/FB/structured-text logic to meet process requirements.
• Commission and troubleshoot systems: lead FATs and SATs, perform loop checks and signal tracing, diagnose interlocks and logic faults, and return systems to safe service following approved procedures.
• Integrate instrumentation and field devices: specify, calibrate and verify transmitters, valves, actuators and sensors; ensure proper signal conditioning, scaling and tagging in the control system.
• Manage control networks and cyber hygiene: configure industrial Ethernet, Profibus/Modbus segments, handle VLANs and switches as required, and apply basic OT security best practices in coordination with IT.
• Coordinate procurement and spares: prepare PLC/HMI spare lists, validate part numbers with stores, prioritise rotables for critical spares and liaise with vendors for lead-time management.
• Support change control and documentation: maintain up-to-date control drawings, wiring diagrams, PLC revision history, and produce commissioning and handover dossiers for operations and maintenance teams.
• Drive reliability and continuous improvement: analyse alarms/trends, suggest logic or hardware changes to reduce downtime, participate in root-cause investigations and preventative maintenance planning.
• Provide operational support and training: be the technical point of contact during operations, support shift handovers, and deliver operator training on new logic or HMI workflows.

Requirements

• 3+ years’ experience in industrial automation, controls engineering or systems commissioning, preferably in manufacturing, water, utilities or MRO environments.
• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Electrical, Control, Mechatronics or Automation Engineering; recognised PLC/control systems training and commissioning certificates preferred.
• Hands-on experience with major PLC platforms such as Siemens or Rockwell Automation, familiarity with IEC 61131-3 languages, and HMI/SCADA configuration skills.
• Working knowledge of instrumentation (4–20mA, HART), safety interlocks, basic PID tuning, and FAT/SAT protocols; able to read electrical schematics and loop diagrams.
• Comfortable with maintenance and testing tools, basic scripting (e.g., Python) for data extraction, and MS Excel for reporting; strong diagnostic mindset and attention to detail.
• Good communication in English, teamwork and stakeholder coordination skills; shift flexibility and willingness to support on-call operational events.