AUTOMATION SPECIALIST

Soprema; Chilliwack; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Soprema is seeking an Automation Specialist to maximize plant performance through automation, controls, and continuous improvement. You will troubleshoot PLC/HMI, support operations, and drive reliability initiatives in a multi-platform environment (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider Electric).

You will lead improvement projects and collaborate with maintenance, engineering, and quality teams. The role emphasizes data-driven decision making, preventive maintenance, and adoption of new digital

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in automated production engineering, electrical engineering or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide frontline technical support for automation and control systems during planned and unplanned production events.
• Diagnose and resolve PLC, HMI, network, instrumentation, drive, and control system issues.
• Support maintenance and operations teams during critical breakdowns.
• Perform root cause analysis of recurring equipment failures and implement permanent corrective actions.
• Maintain automation documentation, backups, and revision control.
• Improve equipment availability, reliability, and operational efficiency.
• Analyze downtime and equipment performance data to identify improvement opportunities.
• Develop and implement action plans to improve MTBF, MTTR, process stability, and throughput.
• Support predictive and preventive maintenance strategies.
• Program, modify, and maintain PLC and HMI applications.
• Support multiple automation platforms including Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, Schneider Electric.
• Develop and optimize machine sequences, alarms, interlocks, and operating logic.
• Ensure automation systems remain reliable, secure, and maintainable.
• Lead automation-related continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support Lean Manufacturing, OEE improvement, and waste reduction projects.
• Participate in Kaizen and operational excellence initiatives.
• Use data and analytics to drive decision-making and performance improvements.
• Evaluate and support the implementation of emerging technologies and Industry 4.0 tools.

Skills

Industrial automation

Troubleshooting

Analytical skills

Communication & teamwork

Leadership through influence

Curiosity about new technologies

Ability to work independently

Education

Bachelor’s degree in automated production engineering or electrical engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley/ Rockwell

Siemens

Schneider Electric

HMI/SCADA tools

Job description

Reporting to the Plant Manager, the Automation Specialist is responsible for maximizing the operational performance, reliability, and availability of production equipment through automation, controls, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The incumbent acts as the plant's technical reference for automation systems and supports operations, maintenance, engineering, and production teams in troubleshooting equipment failures, optimizing machine performance, improving reliability, and implementing sustainable solutions.

The Automation Specialist actively contributes to the plant's continuous improvement culture by identifying opportunities to increase equipment uptime, reduce losses, improve process stability, and support the implementation of future technologies, automation solutions, and digital tools that enhance operational efficiency.

the challenges we have for you

Automation Support & Troubleshooting

• Provide frontline technical support for automation and control systems during planned and unplanned production events.
• Diagnose and resolve PLC, HMI, network, instrumentation, drive, and control system issues.
• Support maintenance and operations teams during critical breakdowns.
• Perform root cause analysis of recurring equipment failures and implement permanent corrective actions.
• Maintain automation documentation, backups, and revision control.

Reliability & Equipment Performance

• Improve equipment availability, reliability, and operational efficiency.
• Analyze downtime and equipment performance data to identify improvement opportunities.
• Develop and implement action plans to improve:
  • Equipment uptime
  • Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
  • Mean Time To Repair (MTTR)
  • Process stability
  • Production throughput
• Support predictive and preventive maintenance strategies.

Programming & Controls Engineering

• Program, modify, and maintain PLC and HMI applications.
• Support multiple automation platforms including:
  • Allen-Bradley / Rockwell
  • Siemens
  • Schneider Electric
• Develop and optimize machine sequences, alarms, interlocks, and operating logic.
• Ensure automation systems remain reliable, secure, and maintainable.

Continuous Improvement

• Lead automation-related continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support Lean Manufacturing, OEE improvement, and waste reduction projects.
• Participate in Kaizen and operational excellence initiatives.
• Use data and analytics to drive decision-making and performance improvements.

Future Technologies & Digital Transformation

• Evaluate and support the implementation of emerging technologies that improve operational performance.
• Participate in automation modernization projects.
• Contribute to the deployment of advanced monitoring systems, vision systems, industrial data collection, and AI-assisted solutions where relevant.
• Support the integration of Industry 4.0 tools and digital manufacturing initiatives.
• Assist in identifying technologies that can improve productivity, quality, reliability, and maintenance effectiveness.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with production, maintenance, quality, engineering, and health & safety teams.
• Provide technical training and knowledge transfer to plant personnel.
• Participate in commissioning and start-up activities.
• Ensure all automation modifications comply with safety standards and corporate requirements.

THE SKILLS WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Your education :

• Bachelor’s degree in automated production engineering, electrical engineering or equivalent experience.

Your knowledge and competencies :

• Strong knowledge of industrial automation and control systems.
• PLC programming experience (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider or equivalent).
• HMI and SCADA development experience.
• Industrial networking knowledge.
• Variable frequency drives and motion control systems.
• Electrical troubleshooting skills.
• Understanding of industrial instrumentation and sensors.
• Knowledge of vision systems is considered an asset.
• Familiarity with CMMS systems and reliability methodologies is an asset.

Your skills and attitudes :

• Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills.
• Results-oriented with a passion for operational performance.
• Continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize effectively.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Sense of urgency during production issues.
• Leadership through influence and technical expertise.
• Curiosity and interest in emerging technologies and automation innovation.

The success indicators :

• Equipment Availability (%)
• OEE Improvement
• Downtime Reduction
• MTBF Improvement
• MTTR Reduction
• Reliability of Automation Systems
• Number of Recurring Failures Eliminated
• Project Completion Rate
• Production Throughput Improvement
• Maintenance Cost Reduction
• Safety Compliance

The work conditions

• Availability in accordance with the schedule established to respond to service calls.

The physical requirements

• Work in an industrial environment. Exposure to varied work environments. Protective equipment is mandatory.
• Vigilance, thorough knowledge of the facilities, and situational awareness combined with strong safety leadership are essential.