We are currently recruiting for an experienced Senior Automation & Process Engineer to join an established manufacturing operation in Tralee, Co. Kerry.
This is a hands-on engineering position with significant autonomy and ownership across the site's automation systems. The successful candidate will be responsible for understanding the existing manufacturing process, identifying opportunities for improvement and delivering automation and equipment upgrades from concept through to commissioning.
The Role
As the Senior Automation & Process Engineer, you will become the key in-house automation specialist, working closely with Production, Maintenance, Operations and Quality.
Key responsibilities will include:
* Developing, maintaining and optimising Siemens S7 / TIA Portal PLC, HMI and SCADA systems, including WinCC
* Troubleshooting live production issues and carrying out root-cause analysis
* Improving batch and sequence control, interlocks, permissives and alarm management
* Supporting instrumentation, PID control, loop tuning, calibration and VSD commissioning
* Using historian and process-trend data to identify opportunities for optimisation
* Identifying and implementing improvements to process efficiency, reliability and automation performance
* Supporting automation and equipment upgrades across the manufacturing site
* Specifying, designing, documenting and commissioning automation improvements and capital projects
* Managing and supervising external contractors and suppliers
* Working closely with operators, technicians, Production, Maintenance and Quality to implement technical changes
* Maintaining automation documentation, change control and records
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for an experienced Automation, Controls or Process Engineer with:
* Strong Siemens PLC experience, ideally S7 / TIA Portal and WinCC
* Experience working within a live manufacturing environment
* Strong PLC programming and commissioning experience
* Knowledge of HMI / SCADA systems
* Experience with instrumentation, PID control, loop tuning and variable speed drives
* Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis capabilities
* Experience delivering automation or equipment projects from specification through to commissioning
* The ability to understand the manufacturing process as well as the automation controlling it
* Experience working with contractors, suppliers and multidisciplinary engineering teams
* A hands-on, practical approach with the ability to take ownership of technical improvements
Industry Experience
Experience within process manufacturing would be particularly advantageous, including:
* Food and beverage
* Dairy
* Pharmaceutical
* Biotechnology
* Brewing or distilling
* Fermentation
* Animal feed
* Water treatment
* Fine chemicals
Experience with wet-process manufacturing, CIP, separation, filtration, evaporation, heat exchangers or steam systems would also be beneficial.
What's on Offer
* Permanent, full-time position
* Significant ownership of the site's automation development
* Opportunity to become the automation subject-matter expert on site
* Relocation support available for candidates moving to Kerry
* Pension contribution
* Health insurance
* Training and professional development opportunities, including Siemens certification
* Opportunity to make a tangible impact on an established manufacturing operation
