Senior Automation Engineer

Alstef Group; Auckland; On-site; NZD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Alstef Group in Auckland seeks an experienced Senior Automation Engineer to shape the design, development, and delivery of BHS automation solutions. You will design PLC, HMI and SCADA systems, own work across lifecycle stages, and work with project teams, customers and stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes.

You will lead design reviews, support commissioning, troubleshoot complex issues on site, and mentor junior engineers while contributing to process improvements and standards.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in industrial automation or systems integration.
• Strong PLC, HMI and SCADA development capability across relevant platforms.
• Experience delivering across design, development, testing and commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop PLC, HMI and SCADA solutions.
• Own work across multiple stages of the project lifecycle.
• Review control system architectures and technical specifications.
• Complete factory and system testing and commissioning activities.
• Troubleshoot complex automation issues in operational environments.
• Collaborate with project teams and stakeholders to address risks and challenges.
• Communicate progress and technical issues clearly to stakeholders.
• Engage with clients to clarify requirements and build confidence.
• Provide guidance to junior engineers and support continual process improvement.

Skills

PLC Development

HMI/SCADA

Industrial Automation

Stakeholder Communication

Troubleshooting

Project Delivery

Education

Engineering qualification (Electrical/Mechatronics/Software/CS)

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Automation platforms

Job description

We’re looking for an experienced Senior Automation Engineer to join our Auckland based Automation team and play a key role in the delivery of automated systems across our projects.

You may have worked within a smaller engineering, systems integration or industrial automation business and comfortable getting involved in design, development, testing, commissioning, troubleshooting and project delivery and importantly, you can communicate confidently with stakeholders at all levels.

About the role

You’ll provide senior technical expertise across the design, development and implementation of our BHS automation solutions, while working closely with project teams, engineers, customers and other stakeholders.

Your role will include:

• Designing and developing PLC, HMI and SCADA solutions
• Taking ownership of work across multiple stages of the project lifecycle
• Developing and reviewing control system architectures, software and technical specifications
• Completing factory testing, system testing and commissioning activities,
• Troubleshooting complex automation and controls issues, including within operational environments
• Working closely with Project Managers, Engineers and other disciplines to identify technical challenges, risks and practical solutions
• Communicating project progress, technical issues, risks and recommendations clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Engaging directly with clients to understand requirements, resolve issues and build confidence in the solutions being delivered.
• Providing technical guidance and support to more junior engineers
• Contributing to the continual improvement of our standards, tools and engineering processes

About you

While technical capability is important, equally critical is your ability to work effectively with others. You’ll need to communicate complex technical information clearly, build credibility with a range of stakeholders and challenge constructively when required.

You’ll be collaborative, calm and solutions-focused under pressure, comfortable taking ownership, and understand that success is not only about delivering a technically sound solution, but also about creating a positive experience for the client and wider project team.

Ideally, you’ll also bring:

• Significant experience working within industrial automation, control systems or systems integration
• Strong PLC, HMI and/or SCADA development capability across relevant automation platforms
• Experience working in an environment where you have had exposure to a broad scope of automation engineering activities
• A relevant Engineering qualification, ideally in Electrical, Mechatronics, Software, Computer Systems or a related discipline
• Practical experience taking automation solutions through design, development, testing and commissioning
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving capability.
• An understanding of industrial networks, operating systems and integrated control environments
• Flexibility to travel domestically and internationally when projects require it

We are interested in someone with experience within baggage handling, materials handling or logistics automation ideally, however we are equally interested in candidates from other complex industrial automation environments who can demonstrate broad project exposure and strong controls engineering capability.