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

About This Opportunity

We are representing a confidential industrial technology client in the Cologne area who is building an advanced automated processing facility from the ground up. This is a rare opportunity to own the complete control system architecture for a greenfield plant—from PLC design through commissioning to stable production.

Our talent team is searching for an experienced Automation Engineer who can take full ownership of plant control systems, hold suppliers to professional standards, and build the technical foundation that will keep this facility running reliably for years to come.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, and own the complete PLC system using Siemens TIA Portal (S7-1200 & S7-1500), including control logic, sequencing, fault handling, and HMI development
• Take the plant from design through FAT/SAT commissioning to stable production operation, owning the full technical journey
• Implement machine safety systems on fail-safe F-CPU with F-I/O, including hardwired e-stop loops, zone isolation, guard interlocks, and controlled shutdown sequences
• Design intelligent stop and interlock behavior to maximize plant availability—allowing unaffected sections to continue running safely when faults occur
• Integrate control systems from multiple machine suppliers into one coherent production line with unified stop logic
• Serve as the in-house technical counterpart on EN ISO 13849 performance-level determination and CE documentation, working with external assessors while retaining ownership of technical decisions
• Establish industrial data flows via OPC UA, MQTT, and Modbus TCP to enable actionable reporting on stoppages, energy consumption, and throughput
• Hold machine builders and panel builders accountable for unlocked code, complete documentation, and standards compliance

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of hands-on experience programming and commissioning industrial control systems, with a proven track record bringing production equipment or complete lines from commissioning into stable operation
• Deep expertise in Siemens TIA Portal (S7-1200 & S7-1500), SCL, LAD/FBD, HMI/SCADA, industrial networking (PROFINET, PROFIBUS, Modbus TCP), and VFD integration
• Strong machine safety competence 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, hardware, signals, and wiring directly on the shop floor
• You must have taken at least one production line from commissioning through to stable production—maintenance-only experience is not sufficient
• Experience working with machine and panel builders, with the confidence to hold suppliers accountable for code quality and professional delivery
• Experience with brownfield projects and legacy migration (STEP 7 Classic to TIA) is a plus
• Background in bulk material handling, recycling, sorting, or minerals processing is desirable
• Additional skills valued: PLC version control, simulation/digital twins, Python, C#/TIA Openness, SQL, Linux, Docker, MES/IIoT systems, OT network segmentation, or IEC 62443
• Independent, structured, and hands-on, with strong ownership mentality and the ability to challenge assumptions and document systems properly
• Fluent in English; German and/or Dutch is a plus
• Based in or near Cologne or the Benelux/border region, with valid EU work authorization and willingness to travel to the facility in Belgium

How We Work With You

Candidates apply directly through Get A Job.ai. Our recruiting team will conduct an initial screening to understand your background and technical experience. If there's a strong match, we will submit your profile to our client for consideration. Please do not contact the client directly—all communication and coordination will be managed through our team to ensure a professional and streamlined process.

Pay

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

Equal Opportunity: Get A Job.ai is committed to inclusive recruiting practices. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of background, identity, or circumstance.