Controls Support Engineer

Vanderlande; Manama; On-site; BHD 20,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderlande is seeking a Controls Support Engineer for BHS systems. You will be a mid to senior technical expert in PLC and LLC infrastructure, ensuring reliable operation, troubleshooting and optimization of PLC-controlled BHS equipment.

You will support maintenance, manage incidents and contribute to continuous improvement of site-based control and maintenance services. Responsibilities include first-line and advanced technical support for PLC systems, diagnostics, coordination with OEMs and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation, Automation, Mechatronics, Control Engineering or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose PLC/control-system faults and restore equipment within targets.
• Perform RCA for recurring BHS control-system failures and propose permanent fixes.
• Troubleshoot PLC hardware/software, I/O modules, networks, drives and safety circuits.
• Monitor PLC alarms and system logs to identify potential failures.
• Maintain PLC backups, configurations and perform controlled software changes.

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 PLC and LLC systems.
• Review PLC diagnostics, communication status, alarms and system performance.
• Troubleshooting and fault-finding during BHS equipment failures.
• Attend and resolve PLC-related breakdown calls.
• Check PLC-to-PLC, PLC-to-SCADA/HMI and PLC-to-field-device communication.
• Perform PLC program backups and configuration verification as per approved schedules.
• Support preventive and corrective maintenance of control panels and field devices.
• Support replacement/configuration of PLC CPUs, communication modules, I/O modules, network switches, drives and associated equipment.
• Participate in planned shutdowns, system restart activities, testing, commissioning and operational trials.
• Support major incident coordination and provide timely technical updates to relevant stakeholders.
• Participate in RCA and preparation of corrective/preventive action plans.
• Monitor repeated faults and identify opportunities for permanent technical improvements.
• Coordinate with Operations, IT, Maintenance, OEM specialists and Global Service Desk.
• Maintain PLC-related maintenance records, fault reports, backup records and change documentation.
• Contribute to weekly, monthly and quarterly reports covering system failures, recurring faults, availability and improvement activities.
• Support training and knowledge transfer to maintenance technicians and other site personnel.

Work pattern

Differentiator

• Advanced troubleshooting capability for complex PLC and Low-Level Control faults affecting BHS availability.
• Ability to understand the complete control chain from PLC logic through industrial networks to field devices and mechanical equipment.
• Ability to identify root causes of repetitive faults rather than only restoring equipment temporarily.
• Effective coordination between Controls, IT, Operations, Maintenance, OEM and client teams.
• Development and implementation of improvements in PLC programs, diagnostics, maintenance methods, tools and system reliability.
• Strong focus on preventive actions, lifecycle management and continuous improvement.