Senior PLC Engineer

AKRIBIS SYSTEMS PTE. LTD.; Serangoon Garden Circus; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automation technology firm in Singapore is seeking an experienced engineer with expertise in PLC programming, project leadership, and industrial automation. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing and debugging PLC applications, establishing programming standards, and collaborating on system integration. Candidates should have a degree in a relevant field and substantial hands-on experience with Keyence PLCs, as well as strong problem-solving and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7–10 years of hands-on PLC programming experience in industrial automation.
• Strong experience with Keyence PLCs, experience with other brands is a plus.
• Experience with large-scale, multi-station, complex machines.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, and debug PLC applications for industrial machines.
• Establish PLC programming standards and perform code reviews.
• Collaborate with the software team on PC-based control integration.

Skills

Ladder Logic programming

Structured Text programming

Automation troubleshooting

Machine IO control

Industrial communication

Education

Degree in Electrical, Mechatronics, Automation, or Control Engineering

Tools

Keyence PLCs

Siemens PLCs

Mitsubishi PLCs

Omron PLCs

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Job description

1. PLC Architecture & Development

• Design, program, and debug PLC applications using Keyence Ladder Logic and Structured Text for complex, multi-station industrial machines.
• Develop modular, scalable, and maintainable PLC code with clear documentation and state-machine driven logic.
• Implement reliable IO control, sequence logic, motion control, interlocks, alarms, and features.

2. Standards, Best Practices & Code Quality

• Establish and enforce internal PLC programming standards, naming conventions, documentation practices, and version control workflows.
• Perform code reviews, mentoring, and technical coaching for junior PLC or automation engineers.
• Ensure all PLC logic follows safe, deterministic, and production-ready design principles.

3. System Integration

• Collaborate closely with the software team working on PC-based control, ensuring smooth communication between PLC and PC systems (TCP/IP, Ethernet/IP, OPC/other protocols).
• Coordinate with electrical team on wiring, IO mapping, safety circuits, and panel design inputs.

4. Machine Commissioning & Troubleshooting

• Diagnose complex automation issues involving sensors, actuators, motion devices, safety systems, and communication interfaces.Support production, maintenance, and customer engineering teams in solving high-impact problems.
• Able to travel internationally on short notice based on project needs, including machine commissioning, on-site debugging, FAT/SAT, and customer support.

5. Project Execution & Leadership

• Work with project managers and the software manager to define PLC-related timelines, deliverables, and risks.
• Ensure all PLC control design meets customer requirements, machine functional specifications, and safety standards.
• Provide clear technical documentation: control sequence charts, IO lists, state diagrams, and alarm/error handling logic.

Requirements

1. Degree in Electrical, Mechatronics, Automation, or Control Engineering (or equivalent).
2. Relevant PLC or automation certifications are a plus. Minimum 7–10 years of hands-on PLC programming experience in industrial automation.
3. Experience with large-scale, multi-station, complex machines.
4. Strong experience with Keyence PLCs. Experience with other PLC brands such as Siemens, Mitsubishi, Omron, or Allen-Bradley is a plus.
5. Experience with machine commissioning, FAT/SAT, and overseas project support.
6. Exposure to PC-based automation environments and MES/OEE integration is preferred.

Skillset(s) Requirement

Technical Skills:

1. Strong hands-on experience in Ladder Logic and Structured Text programming.
2. Ability to implement machine IO control, interlocks, alarms, and safety systems.
3. Knowledge of industrial communications (Ethernet/IP, TCP/IP, Modbus, OPC, etc.) for PLC-to-PC integration.
4. Ability to define and implement PLC standards, naming conventions, and modular code structures.
5. Understanding of cycle timing, machine states, alarm/error signals, and production counters for OEE/MES integration.
6. Familiarity with motion control, sensors, actuators, servo/stepper systems, and safety devices (E-stop, safety doors, relays).
7. Experience in troubleshooting, debugging, and optimizing PLC systems.

Attributes

1. Strong leadership skills; able to mentor junior engineers and enforce best practices.
2. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills under pressure.
3. Strong communication and collaboration skills, able to work with software, electrical, mechanical, and customer teams.
4. Ability to manage deadlines and adapt to changing project priorities.
5. High level of ownership, responsibility, and commitment to quality standards.