Senior Automation Engineer

As a  Sr.
Automation Engineer  within the  Central Projects & Engineering team , you play a key role in shaping and delivering automation and process control solutions across multiple bio‑energy facilities and projects. You work closely with  engineering contractors ,  system integrators ,  OEM vendors  and  VTTI Group OT experts  to ensure robust SCADA/PLC design, safeguarding, cybersecurity, and process control implementation. Your work spans the full lifecycle: concept, design, execution, commissioning, and optimization of automation systems that ensure safety, reliability, and high plant performance.

Key Responsibilities
1. Automation & Control Systems
Design, program, and maintain  PLC ‑based control systems and associated  SCADA/HMI  environments.
Ensure correct integration of instrumentation, gas quality analyzers, safety devices, interlocks, and ESD logic.
Lead troubleshooting across control systems to improve plant stability and reduce downtime.
2. Process Control Strategy & Architecture
Develop and maintain the  Process Control Strategy (PCS)  for bio‑energy assets.
Create and own  control narratives ,  Cause & Effect (C&E) ,  alarm philosophy , and functional logic.
Define, develop, and maintain the site-wide  Process Control Architecture  (networks, segregation, security layers, protocols) of all our locations (NL and UK).
3. Functional Design Specification (FDS) & Safety
Prepare and maintain  FDS ,  SDS , FAT/SAT documentation, commissioning plans, and test procedures.
Participate in HAZOP, LOPA and SIL review meetings and implement safeguarding according to HAZOP, LOPA, and SIL requirements.
Validate and support Safety Instrumented Functions (SIF), shutdown logic, and emergency response behavior.
4. IT/OT & Cybersecurity
Work across IT and OT domains to ensure secure, resilient industrial networks.
Define and maintain communication structures, including Modbus, OPC-UA, MQTT, Profinet, and secure remote access.
Collaborate with cybersecurity specialists to strengthen critical infrastructure and maintain compliance standards.
5. Data Historian & Analytics
Configure and maintain data historian systems (e.g., PI, Aveva, Ignition).
Build dashboards and analytics that support operational decision-making, performance reviews, and reliability tracking.
Support digitalization initiatives such as anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, and energy optimization.
6. Process Optimization
Use operational data, trends, and plant diagnostics to identify opportunities for efficiency improvement, cost reduction, and methane yield optimization.[Rv1] [GK2]
Provide automation expertise to troubleshoot complex process issues related to fermentation, gas upgrading, utilities, and thermal systems together with other engineering disciplines.
Act as automation lead in CAPEX projects, coordinating with:
Engineering contractors  (FEED, detailed design, commissioning)
System integrators  (software, PLC, SCADA programming)
Ensure vendor-supplied packages meet functional, cybersecurity, and integration requirements.
Support project delivery from design reviews through commissioning and handover.
Qualifications & Requirements
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Automation, Electrical Engineering, Control Engineering, Industrial IT, Mechatronics, or equivalent.
5–10+ years experience in industrial automation, preferably in  bio‑energy ,  utilities ,  chemicals ,  food processing , or  waste‑to-energy .
Technical Skills
SCADA/HMI development and alarm management skills.
Deep understanding of process control, instrumentation, and safeguarding.

Experience with FDS, C&E, SIL/LOPA, FAT/SAT.
Knowledge of IT/OT architecture and industrial cybersecurity.

Experience with historians and data analytics.
Soft Skills
Strong communicator with the ability to manage diverse internal and external stakeholders.
Proactive, structured, and hands‑on problem solver.
Capable of guiding contractors and OEM vendors in a multi‑project environment.

What We Offer
A central role in scaling and optimizing sustainable bio‑energy assets.
Collaboration with a wide network of engineering partners, vendors, and internal specialists.
Opportunities for technical leadership, innovation, and cross‑site influence.

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