Electrical & Automation Technician

Force; Dublin; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Force is seeking an Electrical & Automation Technician with strong PLC programming and industrial automation skills. The role involves wiring, programming, testing and commissioning control systems for bespoke machinery and automated production lines.

You will build electrical control panels, develop PLC/HMI programs, and integrate labellers, barcode scanners and vision systems. You will work in workshop and at customer sites across Ireland, ensuring safe, compliant automation solutions.

Qualifications

• Qualified Electrician with QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Craft – Electrical and relevant industrial experience, or a Level 7 qualification in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering or Mechatronics.
• A minimum of three years' experience in industrial automation, machine building or electrical controls.
• Practical experience in PLC programming, modification and fault-finding, ideally with Omron and/or IFM systems. Experience with Siemens, Allen-Bradley or other PLC platforms will also be considered.
• Experience developing and configuring HMI applications, VFDs and servo drives.
• Ability to read, interpret and produce electrical schematics and control panel drawings.
• Working knowledge of machine safety systems, including safety relays, interlocks, emergency stop circuits and machine guarding.
• A full, clean driving licence and willingness to travel to customer sites throughout Ireland.

Responsibilities

• Build and wire electrical control panels and machine wiring in accordance with electrical schematics and relevant standards, including IS 10101 and EN 60204-1.
• Program, modify and fault-find PLC systems, ideally using Omron, IFM or similar platforms, for conveyors, labelling systems and automation cells.
• Configure and commission HMIs, variable frequency drives (VFDs), servo drives, motors, sensors, safety relays, light curtains and interlocking systems.
• Integrate auto-ID equipment into automated production lines, including print-and-apply labellers, thermal printers, barcode scanners and vision systems.
• Configure and troubleshoot industrial communication protocols, including Ethernet/IP, Profinet and Modbus TCP.
• Conduct system testing and factory acceptance testing (FAT) in collaboration with mechanical engineering and project teams before equipment dispatch.
• Install and commission machinery and automation systems at customer sites throughout Ireland, including integration with existing PLCs and production line controls.
• Provide electrical and automation input to the design team, including panel layouts, I/O lists and as-built electrical drawings.
• Maintain PLC program backups, revision records and electrical documentation in accordance with the company's ISO 9001 quality management system.
• Provide remote and on-site technical support for installed and commissioned systems as required.
• Adhere to safe electrical working practices at all times, including lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures.
• Support and assist apprentices and other team members within the workshop environment.

Education

QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Craft – Electrical

Level 7 qualification in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering or Mechatronics

Tools

Omron PLC

IFM PLCs

Siemens PLCs

Allen-Bradley PLCs

EPLAN

AutoCAD Electrical

Job description

The Role

We are seeking an Electrical & Automation Technician with strong PLC programming and industrial automation skills. The successful candidate will be responsible for wiring, programming, testing and commissioning the control systems that operate a range of bespoke machinery and automated production lines.

The role will involve building electrical control panels, developing and modifying PLC and HMI programs, integrating printers, labellers, barcode scanners and vision systems, and commissioning complete automation solutions both in the workshop and at customer sites.

This is an excellent opportunity for a technically minded professional to join a growing engineering business working on varied, customer-specific projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and wire electrical control panels and machine wiring in accordance with electrical schematics and relevant standards, including IS 10101 and EN 60204-1.

• Program, modify and fault-find PLC systems, ideally using Omron, IFM or similar platforms, for conveyors, labelling systems and automation cells.

• Configure and commission HMIs, variable frequency drives (VFDs), servo drives, motors, sensors, safety relays, light curtains and interlocking systems.

• Integrate auto-ID equipment into automated production lines, including print-and-apply labellers, thermal printers, barcode scanners and vision systems.

• Configure and troubleshoot industrial communication protocols, including Ethernet/IP, Profinet and Modbus TCP.

• Conduct system testing and factory acceptance testing (FAT) in collaboration with mechanical engineering and project teams before equipment dispatch.

• Install and commission machinery and automation systems at customer sites throughout Ireland, including integration with existing PLCs and production line controls.

• Provide electrical and automation input to the design team, including panel layouts, I/O lists and as-built electrical drawings.

• Maintain PLC program backups, revision records and electrical documentation in accordance with the company's ISO 9001 quality management system.

• Provide remote and on-site technical support for installed and commissioned systems as required.

• Adhere to safe electrical working practices at all times, including lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures.

• Support and assist apprentices and other team members within the workshop environment.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential Skills and Experience

• Qualified Electrician with a QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Craft – Electrical and relevant industrial experience, or a Level 7 qualification in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering or Mechatronics.

• A minimum of three years' experience in industrial automation, machine building or electrical controls.

• Practical experience in PLC programming, modification and fault-finding, ideally with Omron and/or IFM systems. Experience with Siemens, Allen-Bradley or other PLC platforms will also be considered.

• Experience developing and configuring HMI applications, VFDs and servo drives.

• Ability to read, interpret and produce electrical schematics and control panel drawings.

• Working knowledge of machine safety systems, including safety relays, interlocks, emergency stop circuits and machine guarding.

• A Manual Handling certificate or willingness to obtain one.

• A full, clean driving licence and willingness to travel to customer sites throughout Ireland.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Experience working with conveyor systems, packaging machinery, labelling equipment or product handling lines.

• Knowledge of safety PLCs and relevant machinery safety standards, including EN ISO 13849 and Performance Levels (PL).

• Familiarity with industrial networking and communication protocols, including Profinet, Ethernet/IP, Modbus and OPC UA.

• Experience integrating printers, barcode scanners, vision systems or robotics into automated production lines.

• Familiarity with electrical CAD software, such as EPLAN or AutoCAD Electrical.

• Experience working within an ISO 9001-certified organisation or a food, pharmaceutical or similarly regulated manufacturing environment.

• Experience using AI tools, or an openness to incorporating AI into day-to-day work, including PLC and HMI code support, fault-finding, technical research and documentation.

Skills and Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong problem-solving skills: A logical and methodical approach to fault-finding, with the ability to trace issues from PLC code through to field devices.

• Attention to detail: High standards of electrical panel construction, wiring quality, labelling and documentation.

• Customer-focused communication: Confidence when dealing directly with customer engineers, maintenance teams and other technical stakeholders.

• Teamwork: The ability to collaborate effectively with mechanical, design and project teams to deliver projects on schedule.

• Self-motivation: The ability to work independently, manage tasks effectively and take ownership of technical challenges.

• A commitment to learning: A willingness to develop technical skills and become familiar with new equipment, software and automation technologies.

• A strong safety mindset: A consistent commitment to safe electrical working practices in both workshop and customer-site environments.

• An innovative approach: An open-minded attitude towards new tools and technologies, including AI, with a proactive interest in finding better and more efficient ways of working.