Automation Engineer — Lead Plant Digital Solutions

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 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.