Automation Engineer – PLC / Plant Control (m/f/d)

About This Opportunity

We are representing a confidential cleantech organization that is building advanced industrial processing facilities. This is a rare opportunity to own the complete control system architecture for a greenfield smart facility from design through stable production.

As the Automation Engineer, you will take full responsibility for PLC programming, safety systems, HMI development, and the integration of multiple machine suppliers into a single coherent production line. This is not a maintenance role—you will be the technical owner who brings the plant from commissioning through to reliable operation, setting the standards that define how the facility runs.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, and own the complete PLC control system using Siemens TIA Portal (S7-1200 & S7-1500), including logic, sequencing, fault handling, and HMI interfaces
• Lead commissioning activities from FAT/SAT through to stable production, performing the hands-on work required to achieve genuine plant reliability
• Implement intelligent stop and interlock logic that maximises plant availability by allowing unaffected zones to continue operating safely when faults occur elsewhere
• Design and implement machine safety controls on fail-safe F-CPU platforms with F-I/O, including hardwired e-stop circuits, zone isolation that cannot be overridden, guard interlocks, and controlled shutdown sequences
• Serve as the in-house technical authority on EN ISO 13849 performance-level determination and CE documentation, working with external assessors while retaining ownership of technical decisions
• Integrate control systems from multiple equipment suppliers into one unified line where stoppages are coordinated across the entire facility
• Hold machine builders and panel suppliers accountable for unlocked code, complete documentation, and adherence to professional standards
• Establish industrial data flows via OPC UA, MQTT, and Modbus TCP to enable stoppage analysis, energy monitoring, and throughput tracking, collaborating with the Industrial IoT team on edge integration

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of hands-on experience programming and commissioning industrial control systems, with a proven track record of bringing production equipment or complete lines into stable operation
• Deep expertise in Siemens TIA Portal (S7-1200 & S7-1500), including SCL, LAD/FBD, HMI/SCADA, industrial networking (PROFINET, PROFIBUS, Modbus TCP), VFD integration, and fault diagnostics
• Strong competence in machine safety including F-CPU/Safety Integrated and EN ISO 13849, with the ability to explain and defend performance-level determinations
• Comfortable reading electrical schematics and troubleshooting cabinets, wiring, signals, and control behaviour directly on the shop floor
• Experience taking at least one production line from commissioning into stable production (maintenance-only experience is not sufficient)
• Proven ability to work with machine and panel builders, with the confidence to hold suppliers accountable for code quality, documentation, and professional delivery
• Experience with brownfield projects and legacy migration (STEP 7 Classic to TIA) is advantageous; background in bulk material handling, recycling, sorting, or minerals processing is a plus
• Familiarity with PLC version control, simulation/digital twins, or structured automation methodologies is desirable
• Additional IT/OT skills such as Python, C#/TIA Openness, SQL, Linux, Docker, MES/IIoT platforms, OT network segmentation, or IEC 62443 are a plus
• Independent, structured, and hands-on working style with a strong sense of ownership; you challenge assumptions and document what you build
• Fluent in English; German and/or Dutch is advantageous
• Based in or near Cologne or the Benelux/border region with valid EU work authorisation and willingness to travel to the facility in Belgium

How We Work With You

Candidates apply through Get A Job.ai. Our recruiting team will conduct an initial screening to understand your background and ensure alignment with the role. We then present qualified candidates to our client for consideration. Please do not attempt to contact the client directly, as all communication is managed through our team to ensure a professional process for everyone involved.

Pay

Compensation details will be discussed during the screening process based on your experience and qualifications.

Equal Opportunity: Get A Job.ai is committed to inclusive recruiting practices. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and work to ensure equitable access to opportunities.