Automation Engineer

PepsiCo; Zaandam; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

PepsiCo Zaandam site seeks an Automation Engineer to ensure reliability and continuous improvement of industrial automation systems, supporting production and maintenance teams across PLC, HMI and SCADA platforms. You will lead improvements and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to optimize performance.

The role requires 2-5 years in automation, hands-on PLC/SCADA experience, Siemens S7/Allen-Bradley expertise, and fluency in Dutch and English, with a focus on safety and cybersecurity

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of experience in industrial automation, manufacturing or process control environments.
• Hands-on experience with PLC, SCADA and HMI systems.
• Experience with Siemens S7 and/or Allen-Bradley control platforms.
• Fluent in Dutch and English.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the reliability, performance and continuous improvement of automation systems across the Zaandam manufacturing site.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to PLC, SCADA and HMI systems to minimize downtime.
• Lead root cause analyses and implement sustainable solutions to improve equipment reliability.
• Develop, maintain and optimize automation software and process control systems.
• Support the installation, upgrade and commissioning of automation equipment and technologies.
• Collaborate with Production, Maintenance and Engineering teams to improve operational efficiency.
• Train and support maintenance technicians in automation troubleshooting and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental and cybersecurity standards.

Skills

Industrial automation

Lean manufacturing

Root cause analysis

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Automation or Electrical Engineering

Tools

Siemens S7

Allen-Bradley

SCADA

DCS/MES

Job description

Overview

At PepsiCo, we’re more than just iconic brands — we’re a team of 2,000+ passionate people across 11 countries, working together to deliver great-tasting products that consumers enjoy every day.

With over 70 years in the region, we operate from 7 key locations — including 4 headquarters and 4 production sites — and offer a portfolio of 16 brands, from global icons like Pepsi and Lay’s to local favorites like Duyvis and Schwip Schwap. We’re committed to sustainability, innovation, and community impact. If you’re looking to grow your career with purpose, we’d love to hear from you.

The purpose of the role is to ensure the reliability, performance and continuous improvement of industrial automation systems within the Zaandam manufacturing site. The Automation Engineer supports production and maintenance teams by resolving automation-related issues, implementing system improvements and ensuring the integrity of process control systems.The Automation Engineer ensures correct implementation of new installations or any changes to existing installations. He is accountable for the whole automation part for Zaandam including PLC, HMI and scada systems.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the reliability, performance and continuous improvement of automation systems across the Zaandam manufacturing site.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to PLC, SCADA and HMI systems to minimize downtime.
• Lead root cause analyses and implement sustainable solutions to improve equipment reliability.
• Develop, maintain and optimize automation software and process control systems.
• Support the installation, upgrade and commissioning of automation equipment and technologies.
• Collaborate with Production, Maintenance and Engineering teams to improve operational efficiency.
• Train and support maintenance technicians in automation troubleshooting and best practices.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental and cybersecurity standards.

Qualifications

• 2-5 years of experience in industrial automation, manufacturing or process control environments.
• Hands-on experience with PLC, SCADA, DCS and/or MES systems.
• Experience with Siemens S7 and/or Allen-Bradley control platforms.
• Knowledge of industrial communication networks such as Ethernet, Profibus and AS-i.
• Experience working with continuous improvement and lean manufacturing methodologies.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent technical qualification in Automation, Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Fluent in Dutch and English.

What will make you successful

• Proactive and results-oriented mindset.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across teams and influence stakeholders.
• Passion for continuous improvement and solving technical challenges.