Control System Engineer/ Technical Operations Engineer – Electrical, Controls & Automation
- $130K–$150K + Super + Bonus
- South-West Sydney location
- Growing industrial engineering & automation business
- Senior technical, project & client-facing position
Join a growing industrial engineering and automation business delivering electrical, controls, automation and systems integration solutions across manufacturing, processing, infrastructure and other complex industrial environments.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Electrical, Automation or Controls Engineer looking to take on a broad and influential position combining engineering, automation, project delivery, client engagement and technical operations.
You will work closely with senior leadership, project managers, electricians, technicians, clients and suppliers, taking ownership of projects from initial site investigation and proposal development through design, construction, commissioning and handover.
The role would suit someone who enjoys technical variety, solving complex industrial problems and having genuine ownership of projects, rather than working within a narrowly defined engineering function.
The Role
- Develop electrical, control, instrumentation and automation system designs.
- Prepare scopes of work, functional descriptions, control philosophies and technical specifications.
- Prepare technical proposals, fee submissions, estimates and tender documentation.
- Design and develop PLC, HMI, SCADA, industrial networking and control panel solutions.
- Prepare and review electrical schematics, single-line diagrams, I/O schedules, cable schedules, loop drawings and panel layouts.
- Select and specify electrical, instrumentation, automation and communications equipment.
- Develop and modify PLC software using platforms such as Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell and similar systems.
- Develop HMI and SCADA applications.
- Configure and troubleshoot industrial communication networks and system interfaces.
- Integrate instrumentation, VSDs, safety systems and third-party equipment.
- Work with industrial protocols including Modbus TCP/RTU, EtherNet/IP, Profinet, OPC UA, BACnet and MQTT.
- Diagnose PLC, SCADA, networking, instrumentation and control system faults.Support FAT, SAT, commissioning, testing and performance verification.
- Take ownership of assigned projects from initial enquiry through to completion.
- Attend client meetings and conduct site investigations.
- Develop project scopes, budgets, estimates and technical proposals.
- Coordinate engineering, procurement, installation, subcontractors and commissioning activities.
- Monitor project progress, variations, risks, costs and outstanding actions.
- Provide technical direction to electricians, technicians and subcontractors.
- Provide technical support to field-based electrical and service teams.
- Assist with troubleshooting industrial electrical, automation, PLC, SCADA and instrumentation issues.
- Assist with planning labour, materials, access requirements and shutdown activities.
- Support tenders, proposals and business development initiatives.
- Build strong, long-term relationships with industrial clients.
- Identify opportunities for additional works, upgrades and ongoing technical support.
- Prepare commissioning records, test documentation, operating manuals and handover packages.
What We're Looking For
- 5+ years' relevant experience in industrial automation, controls, systems integration or electrical project engineering.
- A degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Automation Engineering, Software Engineering or a related discipline.
- Strong PLC programming experience, ideally with Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell or similar platforms.
- Solid experience developing PLC, HMI and SCADA systems.
- Strong understanding of industrial instrumentation, VSDs, motor control and electrical control systems.
- Experience with industrial communication networks and protocols.
- Ability to read, develop and review electrical and control system drawings.
- Experience with system testing, commissioning and technical fault finding.
- Strong technical documentation and written communication skills.
- Experience scoping work and preparing technical proposals, estimates or tenders.
- Strong client-facing and stakeholder management skills.
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
- A practical, accountable and solutions-focused approach.
- Australian citizenship or permanent residency.
- Willingness to travel to client sites and occasionally work outside standard hours during shutdowns or commissioning activities.
Highly Desirable
- NSW electrical licence or electrical trade background.
- Experience working within an industrial electrical contracting or systems integration environment.
- Experience coordinating electricians, technicians or subcontractors.
- Machine safety and safety PLC experience.
- Hazardous-area electrical or engineering experience.
- SQL, database integration or higher-level programming experience.
- Experience across process control, manufacturing, materials handling, food & beverage, chemical, mining, heavy industry or similar environments.
- Experience preparing project estimates, tenders and budgets.
- Knowledge of relevant Australian Standards, including AS/NZS 3000, AS/NZS 61439, AS/NZS 4024 and AS/NZS 60079.
- Exposure to predictive maintenance, industrial data analytics, computer vision or machine learning.
- Experience integrating data, AI or analytics solutions with PLC, SCADA, databases or cloud platforms.
- Ability to identify practical technology and automation opportunities that improve productivity, reliability or decision-making.
What's on Offer
- $130K–$150K + Super + Bonus, depending on experience.
- Senior and influential position within a growing engineering business.
- Direct involvement in technical and operational decision-making.
- Exposure to a diverse range of industrial clients, technologies and projects.
- Opportunity to take ownership of projects from concept through to commissioning.
- A varied role combining engineering, automation, project delivery, client engagement and site work.
- Opportunity to further develop expertise across automation, machine safety, hazardous areas and technical leadership.
- Supportive and experienced leadership team.
- Genuine pathway into broader technical and operational leadership.
- Long-term opportunity within a growing business.
Location & Travel
The role is based in South-West Sydney, with regular travel to client sites throughout Sydney and surrounding regions.
Occasional interstate travel, shutdown work and after-hours commissioning may be required.
If you're an experienced Electrical, Automation or Controls Engineer looking for a broader senior position where you can combine hands-on engineering with project delivery, client engagement and technical leadership, this could be an excellent opportunity.