Job Title
Automation Engineer in Newtownards
Lakeland Dairies Co-operative Society Limited is a complex and ambitious dairy processor with a milk supply pool of 2 billion litres, sourced from over 3,200 family farms across 16 counties.
The company operates modern manufacturing facilities in 8 locations, supplying top-tier customers in the dairy food ingredients, foodservice, and consumer food channels. Internationally, we export 240 different products to over 100 countries worldwide.
The Group's Agribusiness Division operates a state-of-the-art Animal Feed Manufacturing Facility, providing high-quality feeds and agricultural inputs to dairy, beef, and sheep farmers in Ireland.
We invite applications for an Automation Engineer position at our Newtownards site.
The Role
This role reports directly to the Automation Manager and involves creating, developing, and commissioning all aspects of our site automation systems.
The successful applicant will focus on resolving operational issues, delivering capital and small projects, and collaborating with delivery partners to ensure seamless equipment deployment and integration at our Newtownards site.
Key Responsibilities:
* Create and develop site automation systems, including hardware, PLC code, SCADA, and databases.
* Manage full automation project lifecycles from URS creation to commissioning and handover.
* Provide operational support to Engineering teams and Automation Technicians with escalated issues.
* Maintain accurate version control and associated documentation.
* Work within a multi-discipline team to optimize response and problem-solving approaches.
* Ensure adherence to engineering standards for self and team to achieve customer standards and quality certifications.
The Ideal Candidate
We seek a driven individual from the food manufacturing or FMCG sector with a recognized time-served Level 3 Mechatronic apprenticeship (or electrical engineering equivalent).
The ideal candidate should have experience in writing, developing, and commissioning capital automation projects, as well as managing on-site contractors.
Additional requirements include expertise in Siemens platforms, SCADA development, fieldbus systems, and fault diagnosis on complex machinery.
A third-level qualification in electrical engineering, software development, or a specialized industrial control course would be advantageous.