Automation Engineer NPE - Middle East

GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 200,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft in UAE seeks an experienced Automation Engineer for troubleshooting, installation, and maintenance of GEA automation systems across the Middle East. You will lead field service activities, support commissioning, and collaborate with OEMs and internal teams to ensure project success.

The role requires a Bachelor in Automation/Electrical/Mechatronics, 3–5 years in industrial automation, strong PLC/HMI/SCADA know-how, and fluent English. Travel will be extensive.

Qualifications

• Bachelor level degree in automation, electrical, mechatronics or related field.
• 3–5 years in industrial automation, commissioning or field service engineering.
• Strong knowledge of PLC, HMI, SCADA systems and industrial networks.
• Experience in food, dairy, beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical or process industries is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, install, maintain, remote support and repair automation systems.
• Supervise installation/commissioning activities including I/O testing, PLC modifications, process optimization and CIP testing.
• Perform commissioning, start-up, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting and field service across the Middle East.
• Support automation upgrades by proposals and installation support.
• Coordinate with external manufacturers to facilitate repairs and new automation implementations.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to resolve issues efficiently using escalation when required.
• Manage customer claims and service follow-up to ensure timely resolution.
• Maintain service documentation and reports; update customer visit records.
• Communicate updates to customers to ensure satisfaction and effective issue resolution.
• Advise customers on performance, maintenance strategies and lifecycle management.
• Prepare spare parts lists and assist in spare parts sales opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental and quality standards.
• Identify aftermarket opportunities including parts, upgrades, digital solutions and service agreements.
• Support digitalization initiatives, particularly in automation and remote services.
• Collaborate with regional/global engineering teams for problem solving and continuous improvement.
• Travel extensively across the Middle East to support requirements.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA

Industrial networks

Field service

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Automation/Electrical/Mechatronics

Job description

Job description

Responsibilities / Tasks

• Perform troubleshooting, installation, maintenance, remote support, and repair activities for GEA automation systems and related equipment.
• Supervise and support installation and commissioning activities, including I/O testing, PLC software modifications, process optimization, product trials, and CIP testing for liquid and powder processing applications.
• Execute commissioning, start-up, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and field service activities across the Middle East region as required.
• Support automation upgrade and modernization projects by preparing technical proposals and providing installation and commissioning assistance.
• Coordinate with external control panel and skid manufacturers to facilitate repairs, upgrades, modifications, and new automation implementations on GEA equipment.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to resolve technical issues efficiently, utilizing the escalation process when required.
• Manage customer claims and service-related follow-up activities to ensure timely resolution.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date service documentation, including service reports, maintenance records, customer visit reports, and internal administrative requirements.
• Communicate proactively with customers to provide updates, ensure effective issue resolution, and maintain a high level of customer satisfaction.
• Advise customers on equipment performance, asset maintenance strategies, operational best practices, and lifecycle management.
• Prepare recommended spare parts lists and actively support spare parts identification and sales opportunities.
• Ensure full compliance with GEA and customer health, safety, environmental, and quality standards while executing all service activities.
• Identify aftermarket business opportunities, including spare parts, upgrades, modernization projects, digital solutions, service agreements, and other service offerings.
• Actively support the company's digitalization initiatives, particularly in automation, remote services, connectivity, and Mission 2030 objectives.
• Collaborate closely with regional and global engineering teams to support technical problem-solving, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Travel extensively throughout the Middle East region to support customer requirements and business objectives.

Your Profile / Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in industrial automation, commissioning, or field service engineering.
• Strong knowledge of PLC, HMI, SCADA systems, industrial communication networks, and process control systems.
• Experience in food, dairy, beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical, or process industries is preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, control schematics, and P&IDs.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and customer-facing capabilities.
• Fluent in English; additional regional languages are an advantage.