Automation Engineer

Oman Investment Authority; Oman; On-site; OMR 12,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Oman Investment Authority in Oman seeks an Automation Engineer to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation of container terminal automation, including STS and RTG cranes and related systems. You will work with Maintenance, Operations, IT, OEMs, and contractors to troubleshoot issues and drive improvements.

The role covers PLC, SCADA, HMI, industrial networks, CMMS integration, with emphasis on preventive maintenance, cybersecurity, and data integrity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, automation engineering, control systems, mechatronics, or related discipline.
• Professional certification in PLC programming, industrial automation, or control systems preferred.
• Minimum 5 years in industrial automation or electrical control in container terminal, port, or heavy industrial environment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize PLC, HMI, SCADA, and control systems for semi-automated STS and RTG cranes.
• Develop, modify, troubleshoot, and maintain PLC programs using Siemens TIA Portal and STEP 7.

Skills

PLC Programming

SCADA

HMI

Industrial Networks

Troubleshooting

Root Cause Analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Automation Engineering

Tools

Siemens TIA Portal

STEP 7

VFDs

CMMS

ROS

Job description

The Automation Engineer is responsible for ensuring the safe reliable and efficient operation of all automation control PLC SCADA communication and industrial network systems supporting the container terminal The role focuses on maintaining and improving the performance of semi-automated Ship-to-Shore STS cranes Rubber-Tyred Gantry RTG cranes and associated terminal automation systems to maximize equipment availability and operational efficiency The Automation Engineer works closely with Maintenance Operations IT OEMs and contractors to troubleshoot automation issues implement system improvements and support digitalization and predictive maintenance initiatives

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Automation amp Control Systems

• Maintain troubleshoot and optimize PLC HMI SCADA and control systems for semi-automated STS and RTG cranes
• Perform software modifications diagnostics commissioning and system testing
• Ensure all automation systems operate safely reliably and in accordance with OEM standards

PLC Programming amp Industrial Control

• Develop modify troubleshoot and maintain PLC programs using Siemens TIA Portal STEP 7 and other OEM platforms
• Configure and maintain remote I/O safety PLCs VFDs encoders sensors laser positioning and motion control systems
• Perform software backups version control and restoration of PLC and automation programs

Automation Servers amp OT Infrastructure

• Maintain the automation server infrastructure supporting crane operations including application servers engineering workstations databases and virtual environments
• Monitor server performance system health storage capacity backups redundancy and disaster recovery
• Coordinate software updates patches and system upgrades with OEMs and the IT Department while minimizing operational disruption

Remote Operation amp Communication Systems

• Maintain and troubleshoot communication between Liebherr Automation Servers STS RTG cranes Remote Operator Stations ROS Engineering Workstations and the Terminal Operating System TOS
• Support and maintain the wireless radio communication network used for remote operation of RTGs ensuring reliable communication between the RTGs ROS stations and central automation servers
• Diagnose and resolve communication failures latency synchronization issues and network interruptions affecting crane operation

Industrial Networks

• Maintain and troubleshoot industrial communication networks including Fiber Optic networks Industrial Ethernet Profinet Profibus Modbus TCP IP Ethernet IP managed switches routers wireless access points and communication gateways
• Ensure high network availability redundancy cybersecurity and reliable data exchange between automation devices

Camera amp Vision Systems

• Maintain configure and troubleshoot all crane camera and vision systems including spreader trolley boom gantry hoist anti-collision OCR and CCTV cameras
• Ensure reliable video transmission recording and display at Remote Operator Stations
• Coordinate calibration replacement and commissioning of cameras and vision equipment

System Integration Support

• Support integration and communication between crane automation systems PLCs SCADA ROS TOS CMMS drive systems anti-collision systems positioning systems and other terminal operational technologies
• Work closely with OEMs and IT to ensure seamless integration of new automation technologies and software upgrades

CMMS amp Reliability

• Develop preventive maintenance plans for automation systems using the CMMS
• Record maintenance activities software revisions equipment history and recurring failures
• Perform Root Cause Analysis RCA and implement corrective actions to improve equipment reliability and reduce downtime

Cybersecurity amp Data Integrity

• Support OT cybersecurity by maintaining secure user access backup procedures antivirus protection network segmentation and disaster recovery plans
• Ensure automation software PLC programs and server configurations are securely backed up and protected against unauthorized access

Technical Support amp Continuous Improvement

• Provide technical support during equipment breakdowns and commissioning activities
• Lead automation fault investigations and recommend system improvements to increase equipment availability and operational efficiency
• Evaluate new technologies and recommend automation enhancements that improve safety reliability and productivity

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Automation Engineering, Control Systems, Mechatronics, or a related discipline.

Professional certification in PLC programming, industrial automation, or control systems is preferred.

Minimum 5 years of experience in industrial automation or electrical control systems, preferably within a container terminal, port, or heavy industrial environment.

Proven experience with semi-automated STS and RTG cranes and OEM automation systems (e.g., Liebherr, Siemens, ABB, Konecranes, or ZPMC).

Hands-on experience with PLC, SCADA, HMI, VFDs, industrial networks, automation servers, Remote Operator Stations (ROS), radio communication systems, camera systems, and Terminal Operating System (TOS) integration.

Experience using CMMS/EAM systems (e.g., SAP PM, Maximo, Hexagon) for maintenance planning and asset management.

Strong troubleshooting, commissioning, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and contractor/OEM coordination experience.