Senior Automation Engineer

As a Senior Automation Engineer based in Tuas, Singapore, you will play a critical role in leading the support, sustainment, and improvement of automation systems used in manufacturing. This role drives equipment reliability, performance, quality, safety, compliance, and cost improvements through hands-on technical expertise, complex troubleshooting, project execution, and continuous improvement. This also serves as a technical escalation point and provides guidance and mentoring to engineers and technicians.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership and hands-on support for automated manufacturing equipment to ensure safe, reliable, and consistent production performance.
• Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis of complex automation and equipment issues involving PLCs, HMIs, robotics, SCADA, vision, motion systems, sensors, pneumatics, and mechanical systems.
• Identify and implement improvements to equipment reliability, OEE, cycle time, yield, safety, maintainability, and cost.
• Lead automation upgrades, equipment modifications, and improvement projects from concept through implementation, testing, validation, and production handover.
• Develop and modify PLC, HMI, robotic, SCADA, vision, and other automation systems in accordance with established engineering standards.
• Provide technical review and guidance for automation designs, machine safety systems, and equipment modifications.
• Serve as a technical escalation point and provide coaching and mentoring to engineers and technicians.
• Manage assigned projects and priorities independently while communicating risks, progress, and technical decisions effectively.
• Maintain technical documentation and change records in accordance with applicable QMS and engineering requirements.
• Collaborate effectively with Engineering, Maintenance, Production, Quality, IT/OT, suppliers, and global teams.
• Ensure automation activities comply with applicable ISO 13485, GMP, OH&S, machine safety, and internal quality system requirements.

Qualifications and Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechatronics, Mechanical, Automation, Control Systems Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in automation, controls, equipment engineering, or manufacturing support.
• Strong hands-on experience with PLC and HMI programming, troubleshooting, commissioning, and fault finding.
• Experience supporting complex automated manufacturing equipment across controls, electrical, mechanical, robotic, and pneumatic systems.
• Demonstrated experience leading root cause investigations, equipment improvements, and automation projects.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, pneumatic diagrams, and control logic.
• Strong technical ownership, structured problem-solving, communication, and project execution skills.
• Ability to provide technical guidance and mentoring to engineers and technicians.
• Ability to work effectively in a global, multicultural, and cross-functional environment.

Preferred Background:

• Experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs, Ignition SCADA, and FANUC robots.
• Experience with machine vision, servo/motion control, industrial networks, safety controllers, and data acquisition systems.
• Knowledge of machine safety standards such as ISO 13849, IEC 62061, AS 4024, or equivalent.
• Experience in medical device, pharmaceutical, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of ISO 13485, GMP, equipment validation, and change control.
• Understanding of Lean, Six Sigma, OEE, structured problem solving, and continuous improvement.