Plant Automation Engineer

• Location: Singapore
• Manufacturing Plant | Industrial Automation | PLC | SCADA | DCS | Siemens

The Plant Automation Engineer will be responsible for the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of plant automation and control systems.

The role covers PLC programming, HMI, SCADA, DCS, BMS, VSD/VFD drives, instrumentation, industrial communication networks, process control systems, and automation improvement projects.

This is a hands-on engineering role suited for an automation professional with experience in manufacturing, process industries, chemical plants, food manufacturing, pharmaceutical, FMCG, or industrial production environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Industrial Automation & Control Systems
  • Maintain, troubleshoot, and support plant automation systems including:
    • Siemens PLC
    • HMI systems
    • SCADA systems
    • DCS (Distributed Control Systems)
    • BMS (Building Management Systems)
    • VSD/VFD motor drives
    • Industrial controllers and instrumentation systems
  • Ensure automation systems operate reliably to support continuous manufacturing operations.
  • Perform troubleshooting of automation hardware, software, control logic, programming, and communication issues.

  • Support 24/7 plant operations through standby and emergency automation support when required.

• PLC Programming & Automation Troubleshooting
  • Troubleshoot PLC-based process control systems and automation equipment.
  • Perform PLC program backup, version control, and system documentation management.
  • Maintain and support PLC, HMI, and controller programs.
  • Analyse control logic, instrumentation signals, and system communication faults.
  • Support PLC modifications, improvements, and optimisation initiatives.
  • Key systems include:
    • Siemens S7 PLC
    • Siemens TIA Portal
    • Allen-Bradley PLC (advantage)

    • PLC-based process automation systems

• SCADA, DCS & Industrial Communication Networks
  • Support interfaces between:
    • PLC
    • SCADA
    • DCS
    • BMS
    • Sensors and instrumentation
    • Plant information systems
  • Troubleshoot industrial communication networks including:
    • Ethernet
    • PROFIBUS
    • MODBUS
    • HART communication protocols
  • Review and interpret:
    • P&IDs
    • Functional Design Specifications (FDS)

    • Engineering documentation

• Automation Projects & System Upgrades
  • Participate in automation improvement projects, system upgrades, commissioning activities, and implementation of new production equipment.
  • Support automation integration for new machines, production lines, and plant expansion projects.
  • Coordinate with:
    • Siemens engineers
    • System integrators
    • Equipment suppliers
    • Third-party contractors
    • Global HQ teams

  • Support testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and validation activities.

• Digitalisation & SAP System Support
  • Support SAP systems and digital procurement/operations processes.
  • Ensure data accuracy, system reliability, and effective integration with operational workflows.

  • Support improvements related to manufacturing digitalisation and automation data systems.

• Continuous Improvement & Reliability
  • Identify opportunities to improve:
    • Automation reliability
    • Process efficiency
    • Equipment availability
    • Production performance
  • Support automation optimisation initiatives and reliability improvement projects.

  • Provide basic automation system training to end users where required.

• Safety & Compliance
  • Follow safe work procedures and ensure all automation activities comply with workplace safety requirements.
  • Support risk assessments, maintenance activities, and safe implementation of automation modifications.

• Bachelor’s Degree / Advanced Diploma in:
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Automation Engineering
  • Mechatronics Engineering
  • Instrumentation Engineering
  • Control Systems Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Related Engineering disciplines
• Minimum 3–4 years of experience in industrial automation, process automation, manufacturing automation, or product-handling automation environments.
• Strong experience with:
  • Siemens PLC systems
  • PLC-based process control
  • HMI systems
  • SCADA systems

  • Industrial automation troubleshooting

Technical Skills & Experience

Candidates with experience in the following will be preferred:

• Automation & Control Systems
  • Siemens S7 PLC
  • Siemens TIA Portal
  • PLC Programming
  • HMI Configuration
  • SCADA Development & Troubleshooting
  • DCS Systems
  • BMS Systems
  • VSD / VFD Drives

  • Instrumentation & Control Systems

• Industrial Networks
  • Ethernet/IP
  • PROFIBUS
  • MODBUS
  • Industrial Communication Protocols

  • HART Communication

• Manufacturing Systems
  • Process Automation
  • Factory Automation
  • Industrial Control Systems
  • Machine Automation
  • Production Line Automation

  • Manufacturing Digitalisation

Preferred Industry Background

• Candidates from the following industries are encouraged to apply:
• • Specialty Chemicals
  • Chemical Manufacturing
  • Food Manufacturing
  • Flavour & Fragrance
  • Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
  • FMCG
  • Beverage Manufacturing
  • Industrial Manufacturing
  • Process Industries
  • Automation System Integrators

  • OEM Machinery Manufacturers

Key Competencies

• Industrial Automation Engineering
• PLC Troubleshooting
• Siemens PLC Programming
• Control Systems Engineering
• Process Automation
• SCADA / DCS Support
• Equipment Commissioning
• Automation Project Execution
• Root Cause Analysis
• Electrical & Instrumentation Troubleshooting
• Vendor & Contractor Management
• Manufacturing Support
• Problem Solving
• Continuous Improvement