Controls Support Engineer

vanderlande; Bahrain; On-site; BHD 25,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderlande in Bahrain seeks a Controls Support Engineer to provide first-line and advanced technical support for Baggage Handling System PLC/LLC. You will diagnose faults, perform RCA, and coordinate with IT and OEM teams to maintain system availability and safety.

Responsibilities include PLC programming, diagnostics, backups, and ensuring changes follow change-management procedures. Strong knowledge of PROFINET/PROFIBUS and S7/TIA Portal is preferred along with hands-on maintenance experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or Diploma in Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation, Automation, Mechatronics, Control Engineering or equivalent.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in PLC/automation systems; preferably 5 years in Baggage Handling Systems.
• Strong PLC programming, diagnostics and troubleshooting knowledge; Siemens S7 / TIA Portal preferred.
• Knowledge of LLC, control panels, remote I/O, field devices and control architecture.
• Familiarity with PROFINET, PROFIBUS, Ethernet/IP and Modbus TCP/IP.
• Experience with VFDs, motors, encoders, sensors, safety equipment.
• Ability to read electrical drawings, schematics, network diagrams and PLC logic.
• Knowledge of SCADA/HMI interfaces with PLCs, and basic server/IT infra understanding.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose PLC, control-system, communication and field-device faults and restore equipment within targets.
• Perform Root Cause Analysis for recurring failures and propose permanent improvements.
• Troubleshoot PLC hardware/software, I/O modules, networks and safety circuits.
• Monitor alarms, diagnostics and system logs to identify potential failures.
• Maintain PLC backups, configurations and controlled software changes.
• Ensure changes follow approved change-management procedures.
• Support preventive maintenance and health checks of PLC panels and remote I/O.
• Coordinate incidents with senior engineers, IT, OEM and Global Service Desk.

Skills

PLC programming

Diagnostics & troubleshooting

Industrial networks

LLC knowledge

SCADA/HMI

Electrical drawings

Education

Bachelor's or Diploma in Electrical/Electronics/Automation

Tools

Siemens S7 / TIA Portal

PROFINET/PROFIBUS

Ethernet/IP/Modbus TCP

Job description

Job Title

Controls Support Engineer

Job Description

Controls Support Engineer - Baggage Handling System (BHS)

Job purpose statement

• Mid to high level technical expert for PLC and Low-Level Control (LLC) infrastructure of the Baggage Handling System.
• Ensure reliable operation, maintenance, troubleshooting and optimization of PLC-controlled BHS equipment and associated control systems.
• Provide technical support for PLCs, field devices, safety systems control interfaces control-related faults, modifications, testing, and performance issues.
• Support the Maintenance Manager in maintaining system availability, reliability and contractual service requirements.
• Act as a technical focal point for PLC/control-related faults, modifications, testing, and performance issues.
• Support continuous improvement and professionalization of site-based BHS control and maintenance services.

Scope

• First-line and advanced technical support for BHS Low-Level Controls, PLC systems, remote I/O, industrial networks, drives, scanners, sensors and associated field equipment.
• Diagnosis, analysis and restoration of PLC/control incidents affecting BHS operations.
• Technical support for preventive, corrective, breakdown and emergency maintenance activities related to BHS controls.
• Coordination of technical incidents with Senior Controls Support Engineer, Maintenance Manager, OEM specialists and Global Service Desk when required.
• Monitor PLC/control-system health, communication status, alarms, recurring faults and overall performance.
• Support contingency procedures, recovery trials, shutdown/start-up activities and crisis recovery exercises.

Qualification and abilities

• Bachelor's degree / Diploma in Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation, Automation, Mechatronics, Control Engineering or equivalent technical qualification.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in PLC/automation system and preferably 5 years of experience in Baggage Handling Systems.
• Strong practical knowledge of PLC programming, diagnostics and troubleshooting; Siemens S7 / TIA Portal experience is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Low-Level Controls (LLC), control panels, remote I/O systems, industrial field devices and control architecture.
• Good knowledge of industrial communication networks such as PROFINET, PROFIBUS, Ethernet/IP and Modbus TCP/IP.
• Experience with VFDs, motor control, encoders, sensors, scanners, photoelectric devices and safety-related equipment.
• Ability to read and understand electrical drawings, control schematics, network diagrams, I/O lists, functional descriptions and PLC logic.
• Knowledge of SCADA/HMI systems and their interface with PLC-controlled equipment.
• Basic understanding of server/client architecture, networking, virtualization and IT infrastructure associated with BHS controls is preferred.
• Good English verbal and written communication skills and ability to work independently within multidisciplinary teams.
• Good understanding of safe working practices, permit-to-work requirements and electrical/control-system safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose PLC, control-system, communication and field-device faults and restore equipment within agreed response and resolution targets.
• Perform Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for recurring or critical BHS control-system failures and recommend permanent corrective actions.
• Troubleshoot PLC hardware/software, I/O modules, communication interfaces, industrial networks, drives, sensors, actuators and safety circuits.
• Monitor PLC alarms, diagnostic buffers, communication faults, system logs and equipment status to identify potential failures.
• Perform PLC backup, program verification, comparison, restoration and controlled software modifications as authorized.
• Ensure PLC program changes and configuration modifications follow approved change-management procedures.
• Support preventive maintenance and health checks of PLC panels, control cabinets, industrial network devices, remote I/O and related equipment.
• Support breakdown, corrective and emergency maintenance during operational disruptions.
• Coordinate technical incidents with Controls Support Engineer, IT Engineer, OEM and Global Service Desk where higher-level support is required.
• Support testing and validation of contingency modes, recovery procedures, failover scenarios and operational recovery plans.
• Maintain updated backups of PLC programs, configurations, parameters, network settings and related technical documentation.
• Provide technical guidance and on-the-job support to maintenance technicians regarding PLC/control troubleshooting.
• Ensure compliance with site safety, cybersecurity, configuration-management and maintenance procedures.
• Identify opportunities to improve system reliability, availability, maintainability and operational performance.

List of key activities

• Execution of daily PLC and control-system maintenance activities.
• Daily/weekly inspections and health checks of