Automation Engineer

Pan Pac Forest Products; Hastings; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation costs (if applicable)

Free life insurance for you

Discounted life insurance for your par

Subsidised medical insurance for you &

Employee Assistance Programme

Family-friendly events

Job summary

Pan Pac Forest Products in Hastings, North Island, is seeking an Automation Engineer to join our Business Improvement team. This full-time role, based at our Whirinaki site, focuses on delivering automation solutions that enhance safety, reliability and performance across the Lumber Division.

You will lead projects from concept to commissioning, support major capital work across Napier and Otago sites, and drive adoption of digital technologies to unlock efficiencies.

Qualifications

• Experience in industrial automation and control systems.
• Experience with PLCs and/or industrial software systems.
• Exposure to Ignition, Python, or similar software platforms.
• Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, and analytical skills.
• A tertiary qualification in Automation, Control Systems, Software Engineering, or a related field (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Deliver automation solutions that improve safety, reliability, and performance.
• Lead projects from concept and business case through to commissioning and optimisation.
• Support major capital projects across our Napier and Otago sites.
• Drive the adoption of automation and digital technologies to unlock operational efficiencies.
• Partner with site teams to deliver innovative solutions that shape the future of our business.

Skills

Industrial automation experience

PLCs

Ignition exposure

Analytical problem-solving

Education

Tertiary qualification in Automation/Control Systems/Software Engineering

Tools

Ignition

Python

PLC software systems

Job description

Pan Pac Forest Products – Hastings, North Island

Join our Business Improvement team as an Automation Engineer and play a key role in delivering innovative solutions that enhance performance, reliability, and efficiency across our Lumber Division. This is an exciting opportunity to influence major projects and contribute to the ongoing evolution of our operations.

In this role, you will:

• Deliver automation solutions that improve safety, reliability, and performance
• Lead projects from concept and business case through to commissioning and optimisation
• Support major capital projects across our Napier and Otago sites
• Drive the adoption of automation and digital technologies to unlock operational efficiencies
• Partner with site teams to deliver innovative solutions that shape the future of our business.

This is a full-time role based at our Whirinaki site.

About us

We add value to our natural resources. Our business is renewables, and we have been a part of New Zealand’s bio-based economy for 50 years. We grow, process, and deliver quality radiata products to national and international markets. Sustainability and safety are the foundations of our business. We have a team of over 430 full-time staff and 400 contractors. We care for our people, the environment, and our community.

We offer

• A supportive learning and development environment
• Reward and recognition
• Discounted petrol
• Free life insurance for you and discounted life insurance for your partner
• Subsidised medical insurance for you and your family
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Relocation costs (if applicable)
• Family friendly events

About you

You bring experience in industrial automation and control systems and enjoy delivering reliable, practical solutions in a safety-focused environment.

You will bring:

• Industrial automation experience or strong technical aptitude
• Experience with PLCs and/or industrial software systems
• Exposure to Ignition, Python, or similar software platforms
• Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, and analytical skills
• A tertiary qualification in Automation, Control Systems, Software Engineering, or a related field (desirable)

We look forward to reviewing your application.