Automation Projects Lead

Sigmar Recruitment; South Dublin; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Sigmar Recruitment is looking for an Automation Engineering Leader to spearhead strategy, design, commissioning and continuous improvement of our automated manufacturing systems. You will lead a high-performing team to maximise uptime, optimise throughput and ensure operational safety.

The role blends hands-on technical leadership with people management, oversees plant-wide automation projects, partners with cross-functional teams, supports validation and QA, and drives Lean/Six Sigma

Qualifications

• 8+ years in a similar role with Equipment Automation.
• Deep knowledge of Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation products and coding from specifications.
• Experience with Cognex High Speed Vision systems and Control networks like ControlNet, DeviceNet, Ethernet.
• Experience integrating VFD/Servo motion systems.
• Experience with SCADA/HMI systems (Allen Bradley, Schneider).
• Knowledge of fieldbus/network architectures (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus, OPC UA).

Responsibilities

• Define and execute long-term automation strategy aligned with targets.
• Manage and mentor Automation Engineers and Technicians.
• Oversee plant-wide automation projects and liaise with vendors.
• Drive continuous improvement of equipment using Lean / Six Sigma and PM techniques.
• Allocate engineering resources to operations and projects.
• Escalation point for complex automation failures to minimise downtime.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to monitor equipment performance and root cause.
• Provide frontline technical support to Engineering, Operations, Validation, Development & Quality.
• Support change control and software revision control.
• Assist Validation in process validation and equipment upgrades.
• Ensure new equipment tasks are risk assessed and safety risks mitigated.
• Contribute to budgets and CI initiatives (Lean, LDMS, Blitz’s).

Skills

Automation leadership

Rockwell Automation

SCADA / HMI

Vision systems Cognex

Networking protocols

VFD/Servo motors

Education

B.Eng. in Electrical, Software, Manufacturing or related engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

SCADA software

HMI development

Job description

Job Purpose:

The Automation Engineering Leader will spearhead the strategy, design, commissioning, and continuous improvement of our automated manufacturing systems. They will work with a high-performing team of automation engineers and technicians to maximise equipment uptime, optimise throughput, and ensure operational safety. This role balances high-level hands-on technical leadership and people management.

Responsibilities:

• Define and execute the long-term automation strategy aligned with corporate and site targets
• Manage, mentor, and upskill a team of Automation Engineers and Technicians
• Manage automation projects plant wide as required and liaise with vendors in the design, procurement, evaluation and acceptance of new equipment
• Support the continuous improvement of all automated equipment using Lean / Six Sigma and Project Management techniques
• Assign engineering resources to support both daily plant operations and long-term project deployments
• Act as the ultimate escalation point for complex, systemic automation failures to minimize plant downtime
• Work closely with cross functional teams in monitoring equipment performance using proven troubleshooting and problem-solving techniques / methods to solve to root cause
• Provide front line technical support and leadership to Engineering, Operations, Validation, Development & Quality departments
• Support plant wide automation change control and manage software revision control systems
• Assist the Validation team in new process validation, equipment upgrades and NPI's
• Ensure all new equipment and tasks are risk assessed, support investigation and near miss resolution, and proactively drive actions to reduce safety risks
• Provide assistance in the preparation of budgets.
• Participate in Continuous Improvement initiatives as appropriate – Lean, LDMS, Blitz’s.

Educational Requirements and Relevant Experience:

• B.Eng. in Electrical, Software, Manufacturing or related engineering discipline

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• At least 8 years’ experience in a similar role with Equipment Automation, Software or related experience
• Specific experience and in-depth knowledge of Allen Bradley / Rockwell Automation products including capability to write code from specification
• Experience of High Speed Vision systems (Cognex) and Control Networks & Communication Systems (ControlNet, DeviceNet, Ethernet)
• Experience integrating and configuring complex VFD/Servo motion systems
• Experience of development, deployment & maintenance of SCADA / HMI systems (Allen Bradley, Schneider)
• Deep knowledge of network architectures and fieldbus protocols (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus, OPC UA)