Automation & Electrical Systems Engineer

UPPER; Sabbioneta; On-site; EUR 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

UPPER is seeking an Automation & Electrical Systems Engineer for its Sabbioneta site. This hands-on role focuses on PLC automation, electrical systems and production machinery to ensure continuity and reliability of lines.

You will report to the Head of Plant Engineering, develop and troubleshoot systems, and collaborate with suppliers to implement improvements in energy efficiency and safety.

Qualifications

• Hands-on PLC programming and electrical systems experience in industrial environments.
• Ability to design and modify electrical schematics and control panels.
• Experience with PLC safety and field troubleshooting in a 24/7 line

Responsibilities

• Program and troubleshoot PLCs, primarily Siemens TIA Portal and Omron.
• Develop and modify HMI/operator interfaces for production lines.
• Design and update electrical schematics and control panels.
• Diagnose faults and downtime using PLC analysis across machines.
• Support electrical maintenance with automation problems.
• Work on machinery for sensors, components and control equipment; upgrades and commissioning.

Skills

Siemens TIA Portal

Omron

HMI programming

Industrial automation

Reading schematics

Electrical safety

Profinet

VFDs

Troubleshooting

English technical docs

Tools

Siemens TIA Portal

Omron

Electrical schematics design

Job description

About the client

Our client is an established Italian industrial manufacturing company with approximately 250 employees and a highly automated production environment operating around the clock.

The company is continuing to strengthen its Plant Engineering function and is looking for an Automation & Electrical Systems Engineer to provide additional expertise across PLC automation, electrical systems and production machinery.

Position description

This is a hands‑on engineering position, ideal for someone who enjoys working directly with industrial machinery rather than spending all their time behind a desk.

Reporting to the Head of Plant Engineering, you will help ensure the continuity and reliability of production lines while developing, modifying and troubleshooting electrical and automation systems.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Programming and troubleshooting PLCs, primarily Siemens TIA Portal and Omron
• Developing and modifying HMI/operator interfaces
• Designing and modifying electrical schematics and control panels
• Diagnosing complex faults and production‑line downtime through PLC analysis
• Supporting electrical maintenance technicians with automation‑related issues
• Working directly on machinery when required, including sensors, electrical components and control equipment
• Supporting machine upgrades, revamping, commissioning and new production configurations
• Working with equipment manufacturers and suppliers on technical solutions
• Maintaining electrical and automation documentation
• Contributing to improvements in productivity, safety, reliability and energy efficiency

What we're looking for:

• PLC programming – Siemens TIA Portal and/or Omron
• HMI programming
• Industrial automation and electrical systems
• Reading and creating electrical schematics
• PLC Safety and electrical safety
• Profinet industrial networks
• Inverters / variable-frequency drives
• Hands‑on troubleshooting of automated industrial machinery
• English is required at least at a level sufficient to understand technical documentation.

Working Setup:

This is an on‑site position in Sabbioneta. Standard working hours are approximately 08:00–17:00, but due to the 24‑hour production environment, some flexibility outside normal hours is required when critical automation issues arise.

Candidates should ideally live within approximately 30–40 km of the facility and be able to reach the site within around one hour in case of an urgent technical issue.

Why Join?

You'll work in a technically varied manufacturing environment covering process automation, Industry 4.0/5.0 technologies, electrical infrastructure, industrial networks and multiple types of production and auxiliary systems. The position also offers a clear development opportunity: over the next 3–5 years, the right person could progress towards a position with greater technical and managerial responsibility within the Electrical Engineering function.