Automation Project Engineer

We are seeking an Automation Project Engineer to lead and support automation, controls, and manufacturing improvement projects across the site. The role will focus on automation and control systems integration, process capacity improvement, factory optimisation, and the transition away from legacy Saputo systems.

This is a hands-on project engineering role suited to an experienced automation professional who is comfortable working in a live manufacturing environment and can take projects from concept and design through installation, commissioning, and handover.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead the delivery of automation and controls projects from concept through to commissioning and operational handover.
- Design, integrate, and optimise PLC, SCADA, HMI, instrumentation, and industrial control systems.
- Integrate industrial networks and automation equipment across production and site systems.
- Identify and deliver opportunities to improve process capacity, plant efficiency, reliability, and overall factory performance.
- Support the site's transition away from legacy Saputo systems, developing robust and sustainable automation solutions that increase site independence.
- Provide hands-on technical support during installation, testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and start-up activities.
- Develop project scopes, technical specifications, implementation plans, and commissioning strategies.
- Coordinate automation contractors, system integrators, equipment suppliers, and other project partners.
- Manage project activities to ensure delivery against agreed scope, budget, schedule, quality, and safety requirements.
- Work closely with production, engineering, maintenance, quality,



IT/OT, and other stakeholders to ensure solutions meet operational requirements.
- Support risk assessments, change management, validation, documentation, and operator/maintenance training where required.
- Troubleshoot complex automation and controls issues and provide practical solutions in a time-critical manufacturing environment.
- Ensure automation solutions are appropriately documented, maintainable, and aligned with site engineering standards.

General Requirements
- Degree, diploma, or equivalent qualification in Automation, Electrical, Controls, Instrumentation, Mechatronics, or a related engineering discipline.
- Proven experience in automation, controls, or project engineering within a manufacturing environment.
- Experience with PLC and SCADA systems, industrial communications, and control system integration.
- Strong experience in site execution, installation, commissioning, and start-up.
- Ability and willingness to work hands-on in a live manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated track record of successfully delivering engineering or automation projects.
- Solid understanding of industrial control systems, manufacturing processes, and plant operations.
- Excellent stakeholder, contractor, and supplier management skills.
- Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting capability,



with a practical and delivery-focused approach.
- Good project management, planning, communication, and organisational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality, and delivery.

Preferred Experience
- Experience in food, dairy, beverage, or FMCG manufacturing.
- Experience working with legacy automation systems and delivering system upgrades or migrations.
- Experience improving manufacturing capacity, throughput, OEE, or process efficiency.
- Experience managing automation system integrators and multidisciplinary project teams.
- Familiarity with modern industrial networking, OT infrastructure, and manufacturing control architectures.

Key Attributes The successful candidate will be:
- Hands-on and technically capable — comfortable getting into the detail and solving problems on the plant floor.
- Project-focused — able to take ownership and drive projects through to successful completion.
- Commercially and operationally aware — understands the impact of engineering decisions on production, cost, quality, and reliability.
- Collaborative — able to build effective relationships with operations, maintenance, engineering, contractors, and suppliers.
- Proactive and independent — able to identify opportunities and deliver practical solutions with minimal supervision.
- Safety-conscious — committed to safe engineering practices and working within manufacturing site requirements.

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📌 Automation Project Engineer (Kiewa)
🏢 Ubique Systems
📍 Kiewa