Automation Engineer

Pan Pac; Hawke's Bay; On-site; NZD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

Retail discounts

Petrol discount

Free flu shots

Life insurance (you)

Partner life insurance discount

Family medical cover

Employee assistance

Wellbeing programme

Relocation costs

Family friendly events

Job summary

Pan Pac in Hawke''s Bay is seeking an Automation Engineer to join our Business Improvement team at the Whirinaki site. You will develop and deliver automation solutions that improve safety, reliability, and efficiency across the Lumber Division, leading projects from concept to commissioning.

You will partner with site teams on Napier and Otago projects, drive the adoption of automation and digital technologies, and deliver practical, data-driven solutions that shape the future of our business.

Qualifications

• Experience in industrial automation and control systems.
• Strong PLC or industrial software experience.
• Familiar with Ignition, Python, or similar platforms.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Tertiary qualification in Automation/Control Systems (desirable).

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Industrial automation

PLC experience

Python

Problem solving

Project delivery

Education

Automation/Control Systems degree

Tools

Ignition

Job description

About the role

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
• Secure employment
• Reward and recognition
• Wellbeing programme
• Discounted petrol
• Free flu injections
• Free life insurance for you and discounted life insurance for your partner
• Subsidised medical insurance for you and your family
• Retail discounts
• 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
• Project delivery experience
• A tertiary qualification in Automation, Control Systems, Software Engineering, or a related field (desirable)

We look forward to reviewing your application.