Automation Engineer

Description

Job Summary: Work at a senior level in the design, implementation, commissioning, and optimization of industrial automation solutions, providing technical leadership for projects and teams. Key Highlights: 1. Technical leadership in industrial automation projects from concept to delivery 2. Development and optimization of PLC/DCS and SCADA/HMI solutions 3. Ensuring safety, reliability, and operational performance Work at a senior level in the **design, implementation, commissioning, and optimization** of industrial automation solutions, ensuring **safety, reliability, availability**, regulatory compliance, and **operational performance**, while providing technical leadership for projects and supporting multidisciplinary teams from concept to delivery. Main Responsibilities and Duties — Engineering and Projects * Gather technical requirements from stakeholders (client/operations/maintenance) and define **automation architectures** (OT) and integration with systems (IT/MES/ERP where applicable). * Prepare and/or review **engineering documentation**: P&IDs (where applicable), I/O lists, loop diagrams, descriptive memoranda, control philosophies, cause-and-effect matrices, panel layouts, electrical/functional diagrams, industrial networks, FAT/SAT, commissioning plans. * Develop and maintain applications in **PLC/DCS** (e.g., Siemens, Rockwell, Schneider, ABB, WEG, etc.) and **SCADA/HMI** systems (e.g., WinCC, FactoryTalk, Ignition, iFIX, Citect, Elipse, etc.), following standards and best practices. * Integrate and configure **instrumentation** (sensors, transmitters, valves, drives/inverters/servos) and industrial networks (Profinet, Profibus, Ethernet/IP, Modbus, OPC UA, etc.). * Conduct **FAT/SAT**, commissioning, and start\-up, leading field troubleshooting and corrective actions. * Implement process improvements and **performance optimization** (OEE, reliability, reduction of downtime, loop stability, energy efficiency). * Support standardization of libraries, templates, naming conventions, versions, and change management (MOC). Safety, Quality, and Compliance * Ensure compliance with **Machine Safety and Functional Safety** requirements (e.g., NR\-12 and applicable standards such as ISO 13849/IEC 62061, as per scope), including validations and documentation. * Participate in risk assessments, interlocks, permissives, and instrumented systems (where applicable). * Uphold **OT cybersecurity** practices (network segmentation, hardening, access management, backups, logging) aligned with internal policies. Technical Leadership and Governance * Serve as a technical reference, guiding engineers (senior/mid-level/junior), technicians, and system integrators. * Estimate effort, support scheduling, risk assessment, and cost estimation (CAPEX/OPEX) related to automation. * Technically evaluate suppliers, draft specifications, and participate in third-party commissioning. * Attend technical meetings with clients and report status (progress, pending items, risks, lessons learned). Authority and Autonomy * Define programming/architecture standards and approve technical deliverables for automation. * Recommend technologies, suppliers, and solution alternatives based on total cost, risk, and availability. * Make technical decisions in the field during commissioning, aligned with safety and approved scope. Requirements and Qualifications — Education * **Bachelor’s degree** in Engineering (Automation, Electrical, Control and Automation, Mechatronics, or related fields). * Active **CREA** registration (where required by role/contracts). Experience * Proven experience in industrial automation, including **design \+ development \+ commissioning**. * Experience in production environments, maintenance, and multidisciplinary projects. * Experience with documentation and testing (FAT/SAT) and start\-up. Technical Knowledge (Expected) * PLC programming (Ladder, FBD, ST/SCL) and best practices (modularization, diagnostics, alarm handling). * **SCADA/HMI** and/or historians; alarm management and trending. * Industrial networks and protocols; integration via **OPC UA/DA**, Modbus, Profinet/EIP. * Drive systems (inverters/servos) and process instrumentation. * Ability to read/interpret electrical diagrams and panel architecture. * Solid understanding of **machine safety** and interlocks; NR\-12 as applicable. * Version control and traceability (Git or equivalent version control), backup, and change management. Differentiators * Knowledge of **MES**, SQL, APIs, and ERP integration (where applicable). * Experience in regulated industries (food, pharmaceutical, chemical) or with validation processes. * Manufacturer certifications (Siemens/Rockwell/Schneider, etc.).