Job Description
As an Automation Engineer at Element Six you will be supporting the equipment and management reporting systems of the production facility. You will be a key member of the local team, but also part of a group-wide structure supporting projects at other facilities. You will take an active role in the early specification of equipment to ensure that the reliability, redundancy and system integration are correct from the onset.
A key aspect of this role is staying up to date with the latest technologies to ensure Element Six remains ahead of the competition. By having the right information, in the right format, at the right time, we empower our teams to make informed decisions as early and effectively as possible.
Key Responsibilities
• Develop and maintain software for PLC-based control systems.
• Integrate machines and equipment with plant-wide systems and infrastructure.
• Design, implement, and maintain data logging and historian systems for process monitoring.
• Provide technical support for site control systems and automation infrastructure.
• Support the deployment and integration of manufacturing execution systems (MES).
• Ensure all system documentation is accurate, current, and well-organized.
• Collaborate with on-site maintenance teams to provide technical guidance and troubleshooting support.
• Manage external contractors during system installations, upgrades, and validations.
• Lead and contribute to automation and control system projects, including planning, execution, and reporting.
Required skills and experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electronic, Automation, or a related engineering discipline.
- Minimum of 1 year of hands-on experience in industrial control systems.
- Proven experience in programming and troubleshooting Siemens or equivalent PLC platforms.
- Familiarity with the specification, design, and monitoring of OEM control systems.
- Strong capability in designing, engineering, testing, and debugging control systems.
- Ability to work independently while effectively leveraging available resources.
- Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
Desirable skills and experience
- Hands-on experience with Siemens TIA Portal and Step 7 for PLC programming and system configuration.
- Solid understanding of OPC server technologies, such as Kepware, for industrial data communication.
- Familiarity with relational databases and the ability to write and optimize SQL queries (e.g., Oracle, DB2, SQL Server).