Automation Maintenance Engineering Supervisor - Athlone, Ireland (m/f/x)*

The Automation Maintenance Engineering Supervisor is responsible for leading the maintenance and reliability function for automated production systems, robotics, vision systems, electrical and mechanical assets in the Automation production area.

The role combines strong technical expertise with inspirational people leadership to drive equipment reliability, operational excellence, continuous improvement, and safe working practices. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership for automation, robotics, controls, electrical and mechanical maintenance activities while fostering a reliability-centred culture focused on maximizing equipment performance and minimizing unplanned downtime.

This position requires a hands-on leader who can effectively manage change, develop high-performing teams, and partner with operational stakeholders to deliver sustainable reliability improvements and business outcomes.

Leadership & People Development

• →Lead, coach, and develop a 4 Cycle Shift team of maintenance technicians
• →Create a high-performance culture focused on safety, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• →Conduct performance management, talent development, succession planning, and skills assessments with structured training plans
• →Foster employee engagement through effective communication, coaching, mentoring, and recognition
• →Champion site-wide change management initiatives and support business transformation projects
• →Build strong cross-functional relationships with Operations, Quality, EHS, and Supply Chain teams
• →Collaborate with Production Engineering on COGS and reliability projects

Technical Skills in Automation, Robotics & Vision Systems

• →Provide technical leadership for automation systems, PLCs, SCADA, HMIs, industrial networks, and control systems
• →Lead troubleshooting and root cause investigations of complex automation and control system failures
• →Support the optimization and continuous improvement of robotic systems, automated material handling equipment, and manufacturing automation platforms.
• →Oversee maintenance and performance improvements of machine vision and inspection systems
• →Ensure robust control system backup, cybersecurity, change control, and documentation processes are maintained
• →Support automation upgrades, retrofits, and capital investment projects

Electrical & Mechanical Maintenance

• →Lead preventative, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities
• →Provide expertise in electrical, mechanical, pneumatic and electromechanical systems
• →Ensure maintenance work is planned and executed to maximize equipment availability
• →Coordinate major shutdown activities, equipment installations and project activities
• →Ensure effective spare parts management and critical strategies are implemented
• →Promote maintenance best practices and standardization across the shifts

Reliability Engineering & Continuous Improvement

• →Drive a reliability-centred maintenance strategy focused on equipment lifecycle management and performance optimization
• →Lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) initiatives
• →Develop predictive maintenance programs utilizing condition monitoring and asset health assessment techniques
• →Analyse maintenance and operational data to identify opportunities for reliability improvement
• →Establish and monitor key reliability metrics including MTBF, MTTR, OEE, and asset availability
• →Lead continuous improvement initiatives that reduce downtime, increase productivity, and improve equipment performance
• →Drive a culture of proactive maintenance and defect elimination

Change Management & Innovation

• →Lead and support organizational and technical change initiatives
• →Promote innovation and adoption of new technologies that improve safety, reliability, and operational performance
• →Manage equipment modifications and engineering changes through structured change management processes
• →Support digital transformation initiatives including smart maintenance technologies and data-driven decision-making
• →Identify opportunities for automation enhancements and process optimization

Health, Safety & Compliance

• →Promote an uncompromising safety culture and ensure compliance with all health, safety, and environmental requirements
• →Ensure all maintenance activities are performed in accordance with site procedures and regulatory requirements
• →Conduct risk assessments, permit reviews, and safety audits as required
• →Support compliance audits and ensure maintenance documentation is accurate and up to date
• →Ensure machine safety standards and safeguarding requirements are maintained across all equipment

Technical Knowledge

• Strong electrical engineering and industrial automation maintenance knowledge
• Strong mechanical maintenance and troubleshooting expertise
• Experience supporting robotics, automated manufacturing systems, and material handling equipment.
• Knowledge of machine vision systems and automated inspection technologies.
• Experience with PLC programming and troubleshooting (Siemens, Allen Bradley, Schneider, Beckhoff, or equivalent).
• Understanding of industrial networking and communication protocols.
• Strong understanding of reliability engineering principles and maintenance strategies.
• Experience with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) (PEMAC)

Leadership Competencies

• Proven people leadership and team development experience
• Strong coaching, mentoring, and performance management skills
• Ability to influence stakeholders at all organizational levels
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving capabilities
• Demonstrated ability to lead through change and drive organizational transformation
• Ability to build and sustain high-performing teams

Reliability & Continuous Improvement Competencies

• Reliability Cantered Maintenance (RCM)
• Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA)
• Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
• Asset Lifecycle Management
• Predictive & Preventive Maintenance Methodologies
• Lean Manufacturing Principles
• Continuous Improvement Techniques
• Data Analysis and KPI Management
• Operational Excellence Practices

Essential

• Degree, Higher Diploma, or equivalent qualification in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or related discipline

• Relevant engineering or technical certification

Desirable

• Professional Reliability Certification
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher
• Project Management qualification
• Change Management certification
• Robotics and Automation certifications

Experience

• Minimum 5-10 years' experience in maintenance engineering, automation, reliability engineering, or industrial operations
• Demonstrated & proven experience leading maintenance and engineering teams
• Experience working in highly automated manufacturing, logistics, pharmaceutical, data centre, or industrial environments
• Proven track record of delivering measurable reliability improvements and continuous improvement initiatives
• Experience managing automation, robotics, vision systems, and complex industrial assets
• Experience leading change management and transformation programmes

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Equipment Availability uptime >95%
• Asset Reliability
• Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
• Mean Time To Repair (MTTR)
• Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
• Preventive Maintenance Completion Rate 100%
• Unplanned Downtime Reduction <5%
• Reliability Improvement Projects Delivered
• Safety Performance Metrics
• Team Engagement & Development
• Continuous Improvement Savings
• Change Management Success Rate

Core Values & Behaviours

• Safety First
• Leadership Through Influence
• Accountability & Ownership
• Customer Focus
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement
• Technical Excellence
• Collaboration & Teamwork
• Integrity & Respect
• Reliability Mindset
• Growth & Development Focus
• Role Location: Athlone, Ireland
  

• Salary - €high-reaching dependent on skills and experience plus excellent benefits package.

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