Automation Engineer

Automation Engineer

Location: Dunboyne, Co: Meath

Candidate:

This role is suited to an Electrical, Automation, Control or Instrumentation Engineer with practical experience supporting the delivery, testing and commissioning of automation systems, ideally within water, wastewater or similar process environments.

The successful candidate should have hands-on experience in the configuration, programming, testing or commissioning of PLC-based control systems. Experience supporting automation upgrades involving PLCs, SCADA/HMI systems, instrumentation, industrial networks, remote I/O or third-party equipment is required.

Overview of Role:

The role is predominantly office-based, with site attendance required during surveys, testing, cutover and commissioning. The Automation Engineer will support and deliver assigned elements of PLC-based control-system projects within operational water and wastewater treatment facilities, including brownfield upgrades and PLC replacement projects.

The role covers PLC and SCADA/HMI development, system configuration and integration, documentation, FAT, SAT, commissioning and operational support. The engineer may work with Ignition and other SCADA/HMI platforms as part of wider automation project delivery.

The engineer will work under the direction of the Automation Team Lead and collaborate with senior engineers, Project Managers, client engineers, site operators and other engineering disciplines throughout the project lifecycle.

Responsibilities:

• Configure, program, test and commission PLC-based control systems in accordance with approved designs and standards.
• Assist with PLC replacement and migration activities, including preparation for phased cutover and rollback arrangements at operational facilities.
• Develop and integrate PLC, HMI and SCADA applications, including communications with telemetry, instrumentation, MCCs, remote I/O and third-party equipment.
• Prepare and update functional descriptions, software design documentation, I/O schedules, system architecture drawings and test documentation.
• Participate in FAT, SAT, commissioning, troubleshooting and operational handover activities.
• Work collaboratively with the Automation Team Lead, senior engineers, Project Managers and assigned SCADA/Automation Engineers to deliver project requirements.
• Support liaison with client IT/OT teams regarding industrial networks, system security and secure remote access.
• Maintain project software, configuration records, version history, licences and associated engineering documentation.
• Provide input to project work breakdown structures, estimates and delivery plans in conjunction with the Automation Team Lead and Project Manager.
• Follow and contribute to reusable software libraries, engineering standards and standardised solutions.
• Support presales activities, site surveys, project scoping, estimating and solution development for new automation systems and system upgrades.
• Survey, assess and document existing PLC, SCADA/HMI, instrumentation, industrial-network and control-system arrangements.

Essential Experience and Technical Skills

• Practical experience contributing to PLC, automation or SCADA projects, preferably in water, wastewater or a similar process industry.
• Experience configuring, modifying, testing or commissioning PLC-based control systems.
• A working understanding of water or wastewater treatment processes, control philosophies, instrumentation, sequencing and interlocks.
• A working understanding of SCADA system architecture and key components.
• Experience with a SCADA/HMI platform such as Ignition, Iconics, Wonderware or equivalent.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols used in SCADA and automation systems, such as Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC UA/DA or DNP3.
• Two to five years’ relevant experience delivering or supporting PLC, automation or SCADA solutions.
• Hands-on experience in PLC software development using Schneider or a comparable industrial PLC platform.
• Basic knowledge of Ethernet, TCP/IP and other protocols used in industrial environments.
• Awareness of cybersecurity good practice for SCADA and industrial control systems.
• Experience configuring or maintaining alarms within a SCADA system.
• Full driving licence.

Desirable Experience and Technical Skills

• Ignition certification or substantial Ignition experience.
• Experience with Schneider Modicon PLCs and Control Expert/Unity Pro.
• Experience with Siemens or Rockwell PLC platforms.
• SQL, historian and reporting experience.
• Telemetry and RTU experience.
• Azure/AWS or cloud-connected industrial solutions.
• IEC 62443 or wider OT cybersecurity experience.
• Experience using secure remote-access solutions within controlled OT environments.

Interpersonal Skills

• Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical matters clearly.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues, clients and site personnel.
• Organised and able to manage assigned tasks within a multitasking project environment.
• Practical problem-solving ability and willingness to seek guidance where appropriate.
• Ability to remain calm and focused under pressure.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary project teams.
• Willingness to suggest improvements to safety, quality and delivery efficiency.
• Awareness of project costs, programme and commercial considerations.