Senior Automation Engineer

4M Innovations Chennai; Chennai District; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Job summary

4M Innovations Chennai is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer with 15+ years of hands-on experience in manufacturing automation, PLCs, SCADA, and industrial controls. You will lead plant-wide automation initiatives and mentor a team.

The role requires collaboration with Production, Maintenance, Electrical, Instrumentation, IT/OT and external partners to modernize systems, improve reliability, and enable smart manufacturing.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of hands-on experience in manufacturing automation, controls, PLCs, and SCADA.
• Lead automation projects from concept through commissioning and handover.
• Mentor and develop junior automation engineers.
• Strong collaboration with Production, Maintenance, Electrical, Instrumentation, IT/OT.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage PLC, SCADA, HMI, and automation systems across the plant.
• Troubleshoot PLC-based machine and process automation systems.
• Develop, test, commission, and maintain PLC/HMI/SCADA programs.
• Drive modernization and migration of legacy control systems.
• Collaborate with OEMs, system integrators, and vendors.
• Support integration with plant-level systems and manufacturing apps.

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA systems

HMI development

Industrial networking

Motion control

Job description

Position Overview

We are looking for a highly experienced and technology-savvy Senior Automation Engineer with 15+ years of hands-on experience in manufacturing automation, industrial controls, PLCs, and SCADA systems.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for driving automation engineering, controls reliability, troubleshooting, optimization, and modernization initiatives across the manufacturing facility. The role requires a strong combination of hands-on technical expertise, problem-solving ability, project execution skills, and leadership.

The candidate should be comfortable working closely with Production, Maintenance, Electrical, Instrumentation, Engineering, IT/OT, and external automation partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage PLC, SCADA, HMI, industrial control, and automation systems across the manufacturing plant.
• Provide expert-level troubleshooting and support for PLC-based machine and process automation systems.
• Develop, modify, test, commission, and maintain PLC and HMI/SCADA programs.
• Identify automation-related bottlenecks and implement solutions to improve productivity, quality, reliability, and machine availability.
• Lead automation projects from concept, engineering, procurement, installation, commissioning, and handover.
• Drive modernization and migration of legacy PLC, HMI, SCADA, and control systems.
• Establish and improve automation standards, control philosophies, documentation, and engineering practices.
• Analyze recurring equipment failures and implement permanent corrective actions.
• Work with OEMs, system integrators, and technology vendors for machine automation and control projects.
• Support integration of automation systems with plant-level systems and manufacturing applications where required.
• Ensure automation systems are maintained with appropriate backups, version control, documentation, and change-management practices.
• Support plant electrical and instrumentation teams in resolving complex control-system issues.
• Participate in preventive and predictive maintenance strategies for critical automation assets.
• Identify opportunities for digitalization, data acquisition, remote monitoring, and smart manufacturing within the plant.
• Evaluate emerging automation technologies and recommend practical solutions that provide measurable business value.
• Mentor and develop junior automation and controls engineers/technicians

Technical Expertise Strong hands-on knowledge in:

• PLC programming and troubleshooting
• PLC-based machine and process control systems
• SCADA and HMI systems
• Industrial communication protocols and networking
• Control panels, industrial instrumentation, sensors, actuators, drives, and field devices
• VFD/servo/motion-control applications
• Machine sequencing, interlocks, alarms, and safety-related controls
• PLC/SCADA commissioning and startup
• Industrial Ethernet and automation networks
• Root-cause analysis and control-system diagnosticsLegacy automation-system migration and modernization
• Automation system documentation, backups, standards, and lifecycle management

Technology Orientation

The successful candidate should be technology savvy and forward-looking, with an ability to evaluate and adopt relevant technologies such as:

• Industrial Ethernet and connected automation
• PLC/SCADA data integration
• IIoT and plant connectivity
• Industrial data collection and visualization
• Remote monitoring and diagnostics
• Digitalization of manufacturing processes
• OT/IT integration concepts
• Smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 initiatives

Leadership & Behavioral Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent troubleshooting capability under production pressure
• Ability to take ownership of critical automation issues
• Strong project-management and execution skills
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams
• Good communication and stakeholder-management skills
• Ability to manage OEMs, contractors, and system integrators
• Strong focus on safety, reliability, quality, and continuous improvement
• Willingness to work hands-on at the plant when required
• Ability to mentor and guide a team of automation professionals
• Strong hands-on experience with PLC/SCADA and industrial control systems.
• Proven experience in automation project execution, c .