Job Description
Roles & Responsibilities
The Automation Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, maintaining, and optimizing industrial automation and control systems to ensure reliable, safe, and efficient manufacturing operations. The role focuses on improving equipment performance, reducing downtime, supporting digital transformation initiatives, and enhancing production efficiency through automation technologies.
The Automation Engineer collaborates closely with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and IT teams to support plant operations, troubleshoot control systems, and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
1. Automation & Control Systems
Design, develop, implement, and maintain industrial automation systems.
Program, configure, and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, SCADA, and DCS systems.
Ensure automation systems operate efficiently and reliably.
Modify and optimize control logic to improve production performance.
Support commissioning and start-up of new equipment and production lines.
Develop automation solutions to improve manufacturing efficiency.
2. Equipment Reliability
Diagnose and resolve automation-related equipment failures.
Analyze recurring control system issues and implement permanent corrective actions.
Support preventive and predictive maintenance programs for automation equipment.
Ensure maximum availability of automation and control systems.
Monitor system performance and recommend reliability improvements.
3. Production Support
Provide technical support to Production during equipment breakdowns.
Reduce machine downtime by rapidly troubleshooting automation issues.
Support process optimization initiatives.
Improve machine cycle times and production efficiency.
Assist in equipment upgrades and modernization projects.
4. PLC Programming & Industrial Control
Develop and modify PLC programs.
Configure Human Machine Interface (HMI) systems.
Support SCADA system maintenance and enhancements.
Maintain industrial communication networks including Ethernet/IP, Profibus, Profinet, Modbus, DeviceNet, and other industrial protocols.
Support servo drives, VFDs, motion control systems, and industrial robotics where applicable.
5. Electrical & Instrumentation
Support troubleshooting of industrial electrical systems.
Maintain industrial instrumentation including sensors, transmitters, encoders, and actuators.
Calibrate instrumentation when required.
Support electrical control panel design and modifications.
Ensure compliance with electrical standards and safety requirements.
6. Continuous Improvement
Identify opportunities to automate manual processes.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives related to automation and manufacturing efficiency.
Improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
Support Lean Manufacturing, TPM, and Industry 4.0 initiatives.
Recommend technology upgrades to improve plant performance.
7. Project Management
Participate in automation and engineering projects.
Support installation and commissioning of new machinery.
Coordinate with suppliers, contractors, and equipment manufacturers.
Ensure projects are completed safely, on time, and within budget.
Prepare technical documentation for automation projects.
8. Documentation & Reporting
Develop and maintain automation documentation.
Update PLC backups and system configurations.
Prepare technical reports and troubleshooting documentation.
Maintain accurate records of system modifications and software revisions.
Develop standard operating procedures related to automation systems.
9. Health, Safety & Compliance
Ensure compliance with company safety procedures.
Follow electrical safety and Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO) procedures.
Support HSE initiatives across the manufacturing facility.
Ensure compliance with applicable engineering standards and company policies.
Participate in internal and external audits.
Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, or a related discipline.
Experience
Minimum 5–8 years of experience in industrial automation within a manufacturing environment.
Experience in cable manufacturing, metals, aluminium, heavy industry, or continuous-process manufacturing is preferred.
Hands-on experience with industrial automation systems and production machinery.
Technical Skills
PLC Programming (Siemens, Allen Bradley, Schneider, Mitsubishi, Omron, etc.)
SCADA Systems
HMI Development
DCS Systems
Industrial Networking
Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
Servo Motors & Motion Control
Industrial Robotics (preferred)
Instrumentation & Control
Electrical Troubleshooting
AutoCAD Electrical (preferred)
ERP Systems (Oracle, SAP, etc.) – an advantage
Microsoft Office Suite
Core Competencies
Technical Competencies
Automation Engineering
Industrial Control Systems
PLC Programming
Process Optimization
Root Cause Analysis
Preventive & Predictive Maintenance
Electrical & Instrumentation Systems
Continuous Improvement
Manufacturing Operations
Behavioral Competencies
Problem Solving
Analytical Thinking
Communication Skills
Teamwork
Time Management
Adaptability
Attention to Detail
Initiative
Results-Oriented
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Automation System Availability
Equipment Downtime Reduction
Mean Time to Repair (MTTR)
Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
Preventive Maintenance Compliance
Automation Project Completion
Process Improvement Savings
Production Efficiency Improvement
Safety Compliance
Preferred Candidate Profile
Experience in manufacturing, cable manufacturing, metals, aluminium, or heavy industrial environments.
Strong knowledge of PLC, SCADA, HMI, industrial networking, instrumentation, and electrical control systems.
Experience supporting continuous production environments and automation upgrades.
Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, TPM, Industry 4.0, and digital transformation initiatives is highly desirable.
Desired Candidate Profile
.