Automation Specialist

Reporting to the Plant Manager, the Automation Specialist is responsible for maximizing the operational performance, reliability, and availability of production equipment through automation, controls, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The incumbent acts as the plant's technical reference for automation systems and supports operations, maintenance, engineering, and production teams in troubleshooting equipment failures, optimizing machine performance, improving reliability, and implementing sustainable solutions.

The Automation Specialist actively contributes to the plant's continuous improvement culture by identifying opportunities to increase equipment uptime, reduce losses, improve process stability, and support the implementation of future technologies, automation solutions, and digital tools that enhance operational efficiency.

• Provide frontline technical support for automation and control systems during planned and unplanned production events.
• Diagnose and resolve PLC, HMI, network, instrumentation, drive, and control system issues.
• Support maintenance and operations teams during critical breakdowns.
• Perform root cause analysis of recurring equipment failures and implement permanent corrective actions.
• Maintain automation documentation, backups, and revision control.

• Improve equipment availability, reliability, and operational efficiency.
• Analyze downtime and equipment performance data to identify improvement opportunities.
• Develop and implement action plans to improve:
  • Equipment uptime
  • Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
  • Mean Time To Repair (MTTR)
  • Process stability
  • Production throughput
• Support predictive and preventive maintenance strategies.

• Program, modify, and maintain PLC and HMI applications.
• Support multiple automation platforms including:
  • Allen-Bradley / Rockwell
  • Siemens
  • Schneider Electric
• Develop and optimize machine sequences, alarms, interlocks, and operating logic.
• Ensure automation systems remain reliable, secure, and maintainable.

• Lead automation-related continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support Lean Manufacturing, OEE improvement, and waste reduction projects.
• Participate in Kaizen and operational excellence initiatives.
• Use data and analytics to drive decision-making and performance improvements.

• Evaluate and support the implementation of emerging technologies that improve operational performance.
• Participate in automation modernization projects.
• Contribute to the deployment of advanced monitoring systems, vision systems, industrial data collection, and AI-assisted solutions where relevant.
• Support the integration of Industry 4.0 tools and digital manufacturing initiatives.
• Assist in identifying technologies that can improve productivity, quality, reliability, and maintenance effectiveness.

• Work closely with production, maintenance, quality, engineering, and health & safety teams.
• Provide technical training and knowledge transfer to plant personnel.
• Participate in commissioning and start-up activities.
• Ensure all automation modifications comply with safety standards and corporate requirements.

• Bachelor’s degree in automated production engineering, electrical engineering or equivalent experience.

• Strong knowledge of industrial automation and control systems.
• PLC programming experience (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider or equivalent).
• HMI and SCADA development experience.
• Industrial networking knowledge.
• Variable frequency drives and motion control systems.
• Electrical troubleshooting skills.
• U…