Senior Automation Engineer

VIDA Bioenergy; Tilburg; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

VIDA Bioenergy is seeking a Sr. Automation Engineer to shape and deliver automation across multiple bio-energy plants.

You will design, implement, and optimize PLC-based control systems and SCADA/HMI environments, while coordinating with contractors and vendors to ensure secure, reliable operations. Responsibilities include developing PCS, control narratives, safety SIF validation, and contributing to cybersecure IT/OT networks across NL and UK sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Automation, Electrical Engineering, Control Engineering, Industrial IT, Mechatronics, or equivalent.
• 5–10+ years' experience in industrial automation, preferably bio-energy, utilities, chemicals, or food processing.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, and maintain PLC-based control systems and SCADA/HMI environments.
• Ensure correct integration of instrumentation, gas quality analyzers, safety devices, interlocks, and ESD logic.
• Lead troubleshooting across control systems to improve plant stability and reduce downtime.
• Develop and maintain the Process Control Strategy (PCS) for bio-energy assets.
• Create and own control narratives, Cause & Effect, alarm philosophy, and functional logic.
• Define and maintain the site-wide Process Control Architecture (networks, security layers, protocols) across NL and UK.
• Prepare and maintain FDS, SDS, FAT/SAT documentation, commissioning plans, and test procedures.
• Participate in HAZOP, LOPA and SIL reviews; implement safeguarding per HAZOP/LOPA/SIL.
• Validate and support Safety Instrumented Functions (SIF), shutdown logic, and emergency response behavior.
• Work across IT and OT to ensure secure industrial networks; define Modbus, OPC-UA, MQTT, Profinet structures; enable secure remote access.
• Configure and maintain data historians (PI, Aveva, Ignition); build dashboards and analytics for operations.
• Support digitalization initiatives like anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, energy optimization.
• Use data trends to identify efficiency improvements and methane yield optimization; lead automation in CAPEX projects.

Skills

PLC

SCADA/HMI

IT/OT

Data historians

Cybersecurity

Leadership/coordination

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Automation/Electrical/Control Engineering/Industrial IT/Mechatronics

Tools

PI

Aveva

Ignition

Job description

As a Sr. Automation Engineer within the Central Projects & Engineering team, you play a key role in shaping and delivering automation and process control solutions across multiple bio‑energy facilities and projects. You work closely with engineering contractors, system integrators, OEM vendors and VTTI Group OT experts to ensure robust SCADA/PLC design, safeguarding, cybersecurity, and process control implementation. Your work spans the full lifecycle: concept, design, execution, commissioning, and optimization of automation systems that ensure safety, reliability, and high plant performance.

Key Responsibilities

1. Automation & Control Systems

• Design, program, and maintain PLC‑based control systems and associated SCADA/HMI environments.
• Ensure correct integration of instrumentation, gas quality analyzers, safety devices, interlocks, and ESD logic.
• Lead troubleshooting across control systems to improve plant stability and reduce downtime.

2. Process Control Strategy & Architecture

• Develop and maintain the Process Control Strategy (PCS) for bio‑energy assets.
• Create and own the control narratives, Cause & Effect (C&E), alarm philosophy, and functional logic.
• Define, develop, and maintain the site-wide Process Control Architecture (networks, segregation, security layers, protocols) of all our locations (NL and UK).

3. Functional Design Specification (FDS) & Safety

• Prepare and maintain FDS, SDS, FAT/SAT documentation, commissioning plans, and test procedures.
• Participate in HAZOP, LOPA and SIL review meetings and implement safeguarding according to HAZOP, LOPA, and SIL requirements.
• Validate and support Safety Instrumented Functions (SIF), shutdown logic, and emergency response behavior.

4. IT/OT & Cybersecurity

• Work across IT and OT domains to ensure secure, resilient industrial networks.
• Define and maintain communication structures, including Modbus, OPC-UA, MQTT, Profinet, and secure remote access.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity specialists to strengthen critical infrastructure and maintain compliance standards.

5. Data Historian & Analytics

• Configure and maintain data historian systems (e.g., PI, Aveva, Ignition).
• Build dashboards and analytics that support operational decision-making, performance reviews, and reliability tracking.
• Support digitalization initiatives such as anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, and energy optimization.

6. Process Optimization

• Use operational data, trends, and plant diagnostics to identify opportunities for efficiency improvement, cost reduction, and methane yield optimization.
• Provide automation expertise to troubleshoot complex process issues related to fermentation, gas upgrading, utilities, and thermal systems together with other engineering disciplines.
• Act as automation lead in CAPEX projects, coordinating with:
• Engineering contractors (FEED, detailed design, commissioning)
• System integrators (software, PLC, SCADA programming)
• Ensure vendor-supplied packages meet functional, cybersecurity, and integration requirements.
• Support project delivery from design reviews through commissioning and handover.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Automation, Electrical Engineering, Control Engineering, Industrial IT, Mechatronics, or equivalent.
• 5–10+ years experience in industrial automation, preferably in bio‑energy, utilities, chemicals, food processing, or waste‑to-energy.

Technical Skills

• SCADA/HMI development and alarm management skills.
• Deep understanding of process control, instrumentation, and safeguarding.
• Experience with FDS, C&E, SIL/LOPA, FAT/SAT.
• Knowledge of IT/OT architecture and industrial cybersecurity.
• Experience with historians and data analytics.

Soft Skills

• Strong communicator with the ability to manage diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Proactive, structured, and hands‑on problem solver.
• Capable of guiding contractors and OEM vendors in a multi‑project environment.

What We Offer

• A central role in scaling and optimizing sustainable bio‑energy assets.
• Collaboration with a wide network of engineering partners, vendors, and internal specialists.
• Opportunities for technical leadership, innovation, and cross‑site influence.