Senior Research Technician: Dairy Chemistry & Lab Automation

Massey University - Te Kunenga Ki Pūrehuroa; Foxton Beach; On-site; NZD 138,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

Massey University - Te Kunenga Ki Pūrehuroa in Palmerston North seeks an experienced Automation Engineer for a 3, 6 or 9‑month contract to design, develop and commission automation systems for liquid food, dairy and FMCG processing. You will work with Process Engineers to develop PLC programs, SCADA/HMI solutions and integrate instrumentation across a full project lifecycle.

The role involves FAT/SAT testing, commissioning support and performance verification, with hands‑on troubleshooting and

Qualifications

• Experience across PLC programming for process plants.
• Knowledge of SCADA/HMI development and alarm management.
• Strong instrumentation and control knowledge (flow, temperature, pressure, level, valves).
• Power distribution and electrical wiring understanding.
• Ability to tune PID loops and CIP processes.
• Experience in FAT/SAT, commissioning and verification.
• Excellent problem solving in live manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and commission automation and control solutions for process plants.
• Develop and modify PLC programs, SCADA/HMI, and integrate instrumentation.
• Ensure plant control systems operate safely, reliably and efficiently.
• Control heating, cooling, mixing, dosing and CIP; integrate pumps and valves.
• Lead FAT/SAT testing, commissioning support and performance verification.
• Provide automation support to Process Engineers through design and build phases.

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA & HMI

Instrumentation & control

Power supply

Process control theory

System integration

Commissioning & validation

Troubleshooting & fault finding

Documentation & compliance

Process engineering support

Industry experience (liquid food/dairy

Job description

Our Palmerston North based client is a specialist New Zealand engineering business delivering high-quality process and automation solutions into the liquid food, dairy, beverage, and wider FMCG manufacturing sectors. Known for their practical, hands‑on approach, they partner closely with clients to design, build, automate, install and support tailored processing systems that improve product quality, plant efficiency, hygiene standards and production performance.

Their solutions are trusted within demanding production environments where food safety, reliability and compliance are critical. From milk and dairy processing through to beverage and liquid food applications, they provide end‑to‑end engineering capability across the full project lifecycle.

They are busy and are seeking the support of an experienced Automation Engineer for a 3, 6 or 9-month contract, potentially longer.

They need a practical, solutions-focused Automation Engineer who is comfortable working across PLC programming, SCADA/HMI development, instrumentation, process control and system integration, and who enjoys seeing projects through from design and development to testing and commissioning.

Ideally, you will have experience within liquid food, dairy, beverage, FMCG or another process manufacturing environment, where you understand not only the automation but also how the process plant needs to operate.

The Opportunity

You will work closely with Process Engineers and the wider project team to design, develop and commission automation and control solutions for process plants and machinery.

You will be involved across the project lifecycle, developing and modifying PLC programs, SCADA and HMI systems, integrating instrumentation and process equipment, and ensuring plant control systems operate safely, reliably and efficiently.

Your work will include control of processes such as heating, cooling, mixing, dosing and CIP, along with the integration of pumps, valves, VSDs, instrumentation, existing plant and utility systems into a unified control platform.

This is a practical engineering role where you will be involved in FAT and SAT testing, commissioning, performance verification, troubleshooting and fault finding, as well as providing automation and controls support to Process Engineers throughout the design, build and commissioning stages.

Success in this role will come from your ability to combine strong automation and controls expertise with practical problem‑solving and an understanding of how equipment, instrumentation and process systems work together in a live manufacturing environment.

Ideally, you will tick as many of these boxes as possible:

• PLC Programming Strong ability to develop, modify, and troubleshoot PLC programs for process plants and machinery.
• SCADA & HMI Development Designing operator interfaces, alarm management, trend displays, and process monitoring systems.
• Instrumentation & Control Knowledge of flow meters, temperature transmitters, pressure sensors, level instruments, conductivity probes, and control valves.
• Power Supply Understanding of electrical supply eg VSDs, switchboards, power distribution, and industrial wiring practices.
• Process Control Theory - Ability to tune PID loops and optimise heating, cooling, mixing, dosing, and CIP processes.
• System Integration Connecting process equipment, instrumentation, existing plant and utility systems into a unified control platform.
• Commissioning & Validation Conducting factory acceptance tests (FAT), site acceptance tests (SAT), commissioning support, and performance verification.
• Troubleshooting & Fault Finding Diagnosing electrical, software, communication, and instrumentation issues quickly to minimise downtime.
• Documentation & Compliance Producing and managing I/O lists, tag names and ID’s and other related technical project data.
• Process Engineering Technical Support Providing support for process engineers through process design, build and commissioning.
• Industry Experience – Ideally, previous experience within liquid food, dairy, beverage, FMCG or a similar process manufacturing environment.

Remuneration

Depending on your experience, the hourly rate will be between $100–$110.

Contract of 3, 6 or 9 months, with the potential for the assignment to extend.