Automation Engineering Internship 2027

Kinisla; Listowel; On-site; EUR 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meaningful work experience

Networking with interns/graduates

Exposure to senior leaders

Buddy support

Job summary

Kinisla in Listowel invites you to join its Early Careers Programme for a 6‑month internship starting in March 2027, offering practical automation engineering experience and a competitive salary. Based at our Listowel site, you will work with the Engineering team and support the Automation function in a fast‑paced production environment, gaining exposure to PLCs, HMIs, SCADA and industrial networks.

This placement develops core skills through real projects, testing, documentation and

Qualifications

• Currently studying towards a degree in automation-related field.
• Academic exposure to automation, PLCs, robotics would be an advantage.
• Interest in applying automation technology within manufacturing.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support automation projects and improvement initiatives across the manufacturing site.
• Assist with fault-finding and troubleshooting on automated production equipment and control systems.
• Support the development and maintenance of reports, system documentation and technical records.
• Gain exposure to PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, sensors, instrumentation and industrial networks.
• Work with Engineering, Operations and others to improve equipment reliability and efficiency.
• Assist with testing, commissioning and validation of automation changes under supervision.

Skills

Automation engineering

PLC programming

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Teamwork

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Automation Engineering

Tools

PLC programming

SCADA

HMI

Industrial networks

Job description

Unleash Your Potential with Our Internships!

Join the Kinisla Early Careers Programme and gain meaningful experience in a dynamic, innovation-driven dairy business. This placement is 6 months commencing in March 2027. We can take into consideration other timeframes if your college course requires it. You will build practical skills, learn from experienced colleagues, be among the first to hear about our Graduate Programme opportunities and earn a competitive salary.

Description and Responsibilities

Based at our Listowel site, you will work with the Engineering team and support the Automation function in a fast-paced and complex production environment. Under the guidance of experienced automation and engineering colleagues, you will gain practical exposure to the systems and technologies that support safe, reliable and efficient manufacturing operations.

• Support automation projects and improvement initiatives across the manufacturing site.
• Assist with fault-finding and troubleshooting on automated production equipment and control systems.
• Support the development and maintenance of reports, system documentation and technical records.
• Gain exposure to programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), sensors, instrumentation and industrial networks.
• Work with Engineering, Operations and other functions to identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, process performance and operational efficiency.
• Assist with the testing, commissioning and validation of automation changes under appropriate supervision.
• Apply site safety, food safety, quality and engineering standards in all activities.
• Contribute to project planning, progress updates and the communication of technical information.

This internship will provide a practical understanding of automation engineering within a manufacturing environment and an opportunity to apply your academic learning to real operational challenges.

Kinisla Internship Programme

As a Kinisla intern, you will benefit from:

• Meaningful work experience.
• Networking with other interns and graduates through programme events.
• Exposure to our senior leaders.
• Opportunities to demonstrate how you have contributed to Kinisla during your internship.
• Learning about our wider business.
• Buddy support.

We are committed to developing our interns and aim to convert our best-performing interns to graduates. High-performing interns may be considered for our Graduate Programme before completing their placement.

What You Need to Apply

• Studying towards a degree in Automation Engineering, Robotics and Automation, Mechatronic Engineering, Electrical or Electronic Engineering, Control and Instrumentation Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Academic or practical exposure to automation, robotics, control systems, PLC programming, instrumentation, industrial networks or software programming would be an advantage.
• An interest in applying automation technology within a manufacturing environment.
• A results-oriented, motivated self-starter with the determination and drive to succeed.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical and communication skills.
• Able to work effectively both in a team and independently.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Good organisational and time management skills.

Discover Your Future with Kinisla

Kinisla is a vertically integrated dairy, nutritional ingredients and consumer foods business, built on more than 50 years of expertise in milk processing, dairy and nutritional ingredient technology, and product innovation. Working in close partnership with 2,600 family farms, we produce high-quality, low-carbon-intensity milk for dairy and nutritional ingredient solutions, alongside a strong portfolio of trusted, market-leading consumer products and brands. With manufacturing operations across Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK, and a global customer reach, Kinisla is a trusted and forward-looking supplier of high-quality dairy products, ingredients and nutritional solutions. Our four business areas are Agribusiness, Dairy Ingredients, Nutritional Ingredients and Consumer Foods. Our purpose is to reimagine dairy for better food and a future worth farming for. Through expertise, innovation and responsible growth, we are helping to shape a more regenerative and climate-conscious future for dairy. Rooted in the South-West of Ireland, Kinisla combines deep heritage, global expertise and innovation to create exciting products, partnerships and careers. Our values are Together, Braver and Further.