Automation Engineer – PLC/SCADA & Plant Reliability Leader

Fletcher Building Limited; Hamilton; On-site; NZD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Laminex, backed by Fletcher Building, is looking for an Automation Engineer to join our Hamilton manufacturing team. The role focuses on maintaining and improving site automation, electrical, and control systems to ensure safe, reliable plant operation and ongoing efficiency improvements.

You’ll work with production, maintenance and engineering teams to identify opportunities, reduce downtime and support future growth initiatives, with a strong emphasis on safety and compliance.

Qualifications

• 5-7+ years' experience in an industrial manufacturing environment with a strong focus on automation and plant reliability.
• Qualification in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or related discipline, with current Electrical Registration.
• Proven experience with Allen-Bradley and Siemens PLCs, including programming, troubleshooting, and system optimisation.
• Strong knowledge of industrial automation, instrumentation, SCADA, HMI, and process control systems.
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose and resolve complex automation and equipment performance issues in manufacturing.
• Proactive approach to continuous improvement, preventative maintenance, and operational efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and optimise PLC, SCADA, instrumentation, and process control systems for reliable plant performance.
• Diagnose and resolve automation faults, PLC programming errors, sequence issues, and equipment breakdowns to minimise downtime.
• Lead root cause analysis investigations and implement preventive actions to prevent recurring issues.
• Support preventative and predictive maintenance, planned shutdowns, and automation-related maintenance activities.
• Contribute to automation upgrades, equipment installations, commissioning, and plant modification projects.
• Maintain technical documentation, system backups, and compliance records; support maintenance planning and reliability improvements.
• Collaborate with production, maintenance, and engineering teams to identify improvement opportunities and deliver continuous improvement outcomes.
• Provide remote support to Taupo site Automation Engineer as required.

Skills

Automation engineering

Process control

Plant reliability

Root cause analysis

Troubleshooting

Stakeholder management

Continuous improvement

Education

Electrical Engineering

Automation Engineering

Mechatronics

Electrical Registration

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Siemens PLCs

SCADA

HMI

Job description

Laminex, backed by Fletcher Building, is looking for an Automation Engineer to join our Hamilton manufacturing team. The role focuses on maintaining and improving site automation, electrical, and control systems to ensure safe, reliable plant operation and ongoing efficiency improvements.

You’ll work with production, maintenance and engineering teams to identify opportunities, reduce downtime and support future growth initiatives, with a strong emphasis on safety and compliance.