Full-time Permanent AssociatePosted 25 Sep ****DescriptionAutomation & Mechanical EngineerAdvanced Food Processing & AutomationMurray Downs | Full TimeWe are seeking an experienced and practically minded Automation & Mechanical Engineer to join our highly automated almond processing, sorting and packing operation at Murray Downs.This is a broad, hands-on engineering role for someone who is equally comfortable investigating a mechanical failure on the plant floor, diagnosing an automation or control problem, working with an equipment manufacturer, or developing an engineering solution to improve the performance of the operation.The facility incorporates sophisticated processing, sorting, packing, conveying, automated material handling, warehousing and Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) systems, integrated through modern industrial automation and production technologies.For the right engineer, this represents an opportunity to work across an unusually diverse combination of mechanical engineering, automation, controls, material handling and operational technology within one facility.The Technology:Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) used for movement of almonds, bins, packaging and materials throughout the facilityHigh-speed almond processing, sorting and packing equipmentAutomated conveyors, elevators, hoppers, chutes and material-handling systemsPLC-controlled machineryHMI and SCADA systemsSensors, instrumentation and variable speed drivesIndustrial networks and communicationsMES and WMS systems integrated with production, automation and warehousingAutomated storage and material-flow systemsMechanical drives and processing machinerySafety systems including guarding, emergency stops, interlocks and isolation systems.Experience with complex automated machinery is particularly important, the business is looking for someone who can understand not just an individual machine, but also how mechanical equipment, PLC controls, sensors, software, AGVs, production systems and material flow interact with one another.The Role:Automation & Control SystemsProvide hands-on engineering support across the plant's PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, sensors, instrumentation, variable speed drives and industrial control systems.Key responsibilities include:Diagnosing automation faults and recurring failuresImproving availability, throughput, reliability and OEESupporting PLC/HMI programming,



modifications and upgradesIdentifying opportunities for further automationSupporting integration between PLC/SCADA, MES, WMS, AGVs and processing equipmentMaintaining system documentation, software backups and change controls.Mechanical Engineering & ReliabilityBring strong mechanical engineering capability to the facility's processing, sorting, packing, conveying and material-handling equipment, with a focus on eliminating recurring problems and improving reliability.This includes:Diagnosing mechanical failures and conducting root-cause analysisDesigning and improving conveyors, elevators, hoppers, chutes, drives, guarding and associated machineryImproving equipment reliability and maintainabilitySupporting preventative and predictive maintenanceDesigning, risk assessing and commissioning mechanical modifications.AGVs & Automated Material HandlingExperience with AGVs, automated warehousing or sophisticated material-handling systems will be particularly highly regarded.You will help optimise the plant's Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) systems, including:AGV traffic, routing, prioritisation and congestion managementTroubleshooting faults and communication issuesImproving utilisation, travel efficiency and availabilityIntegration with PLC/SCADA, MES and WMS systemsSupporting specialist suppliers with software, firmware and system upgradesEnsuring secure operation around personnel and other automated equipmentThe Person:This role will suit a technically strong, practical engineer who looks beyond the immediate fault to understand why equipment failed, how the wider system contributed, and what engineering solution will prevent it recurring.You'll bring:Strong mechanical engineering, fault-finding and root-cause analysis capabilitySound knowledge of industrial automation, PLCs, HMIs, sensors and instrumentationPractical experience troubleshooting complex automated machineryExperience with conveyors and automated material-handling systemsUnderstanding of equipment reliability and preventative maintenanceAbility to interpret mechanical,



electrical and engineering drawingsStrong understanding of machinery safety and engineering risk managementGood communication skills and the ability to work across Operations, Maintenance, Quality, IT, OEMs and specialist suppliers.Importantly, you'll be a hands-on systems thinker who understands how mechanics, automation, controls, sensors and material flow interact.
You'll be comfortable on the plant floor, working with operators and maintenance teams to find root causes, develop permanent solutions and continually improve reliability, throughput, safety and automation performance.Qualifications & Experience:You will hold a Bachelor degree or equivalent qualification in:Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Science or Electrical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.You will also need demonstrated experience in industrial engineering, automation, mechanical engineering or a highly automated manufacturing environment, together with experience troubleshooting automated machinery and industrial control systems.Candidates with practical experience in any of the following will be of particular interest:AGVs,Automated Material Handling,SCADA,MES & WMS,Robotics,Automated Warehousing,High-Speed Sorting,Automated Packing,CAD,Previous experience in food manufacturing or processing would also be advantageous, particularly familiarity with HACCP, GMP or BRCGS requirements.You will also contribute to the future development and automation of the plant, working on engineering projects from concept through installation and commissioning.This can include equipment selection, technical specifications, procurement support, working with manufacturers and OEMs, installation, commissioning, testing and validation.You'll also contribute to future plant expansion through layout design, improved material flow and automation strategy.Safety, Quality & Engineering StandardsAs this is a food-processing operation, engineering solutions need to achieve more than simply making a machine work.Equipment modifications and new installations must consider:Machinery and personnel safetyGuarding, emergency stops and interlocksLockout/tagout and equipment isolationFood safety and contamination risksAustralian Standards and relevant WHS requirementsEngineering documentation and change control.The successful engineer will therefore need a strong appreciation of safe engineering design, risk management and disciplined engineering practices.
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📌 Automation Mechanical Engineer (New South Wales)
🏢 Rgit Australia
📍 New South Wales