Senior Automation Project Engineer

PeopleLogic; Christchurch; Hybrid; NZD 120,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

PeopleLogic in Christchurch is seeking a Senior Automation Project Engineer to own the electrical and automation scope on major projects. You will manage budgets and programmes, coordinate OEM deliveries, and travel to site to verify progress.

The role requires hands-on PLC/SCADA work with Rockwell and Siemens, plus use of Ignition or System Platform on select sites. A strong client-facing track record and multi-million dollar project experience are essential.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in automation engineering; 10+ years preferred.
• Hands-on PLC and SCADA delivery, with Rockwell and Siemens PLC experience.
• Experience running multi-million dollar projects with budget and timeline ownership.
• Client-facing experience on project delivery.

Responsibilities

• Own the electrical and automation scope on large projects, from start to finish.
• Set programme and budget controls, tracking progress in Microsoft Project.
• Coordinate OEM equipment deliveries with the mechanical contractors.
• Visit site regularly to confirm the electrical work matches reported progress.
• Deliver hands-on PLC, HMI and SCADA work for Christchurch clients.
• Be the client's technical contact, ensuring project stays on track.
• Travel to project sites as the work requires.
• Help grow the Christchurch office alongside the local team.

Skills

Automation engineering experience

Hands-on PLC/SCADA delivery

Rockwell PLC

Siemens PLC

Project management

Client-facing delivery

Tools

Microsoft Project

System Platform

Ignition

Job description

Senior Automation Project Engineer

Christchurch

$120k-$135k + car (or $15k more, no car)

Own the electrical and automation scope on major projects. Backed by a national systems integrator within a tight local team.

• Own the budget and programme on multi-million dollar projects
• Rockwell, Siemens, Ignition and System Platform in one role
• Solid forward work, including a large project starting in early 2027

You can program the PLC and build the SCADA. But who keeps the job on time and on budget once the work moves to site?

In this role, that's you. You'll keep it on track, check the work on site, and stay hands-on with the technical side so your skills stay sharp.

Why you'll love this

You'll run large projects. That means setting the programme and budget, lining up OEM delivery dates with the mechanical contractors, and getting to site regularly to check the work is going to plan. You'll hold the electrical contractors to their commitments.

The technology mix is wide. Rockwell and Siemens PLCs, Ignition and System Platform SCADA, plus historian and data work across a range of industrial sites. You'll still write code when a job calls for it.

The Christchurch team is small, but you're backed by a large national business, with a lot of engineers in other offices if needed. Forward work is solid, including a large project kicking off in early 2027 where you'd lead the delivery.

The package is $120k to $135k plus a company vehicle. If you don't want a vehicle, the base salary can go up $15k, so it's your choice whether you value the car or the cash more. The standard week is 40 hours, and anything over that is paid at your base rate.

What you'll do

• Own the electrical and automation scope on large projects, from start to finish
• Set programme and budget controls, tracking progress in Microsoft Project
• Coordinate OEM equipment deliveries with the mechanical contractors
• Visit site regularly to confirm the electrical work matches reported progress
• Deliver hands-on PLC, HMI and SCADA work for Christchurch clients
• Be the client's technical contact, asking the questions that confirm a project is on track
• Travel to project sites as the work requires
• Help grow the Christchurch office alongside the local team

What you'll need

Must-haves

• 7+ years in automation engineering (10+ preferred)
• Hands-on PLC and SCADA delivery, with Rockwell and Siemens PLC experience
• Experience running projects and owning budget and timeline
• Multi-million dollar project experience, ideally from a systems integrator or large plant
• Client-facing experience on project delivery

Nice-to-haves

• SCADA experience with System Platform or Ignition
• Microsoft Project

About the company

A large national systems integrator delivering electrical, automation and digitalisation projects for major industrial clients, with offices around the country. Clients come back because the team gets jobs done well at a fair price, rather than being the cheapest. Christchurch is one of the busiest offices right now, and the focus is on adding people who can take ownership and run with it.

About the location

Christchurch is an easy place to build a career and a household. Commutes are short, housing costs are well below Auckland, and the Port Hills, Banks Peninsula and the Southern Alps are all close, with the ski fields around two hours away.

Please Note:

This role is open exclusively to New Zealand Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Resident Visa holders.