Automation Engineer
Join a New Zealand engineering team building advanced liquid treatment systems used in essential infrastructure. This is a hands-on automation role.
- PLC and SCADA engineering for real-world industrial and infrastructure systems
- Strong focus on clean, maintainable control code and GitLab-based workflows
- Relocation from other regions support available for the right candidate
We are partnered with a New Zealand–based engineering company developing advanced liquid treatment systems used in municipal, industrial, and food processing environments.
This is a hands-on automation role where you will help design, build, and improve PLC-driven systems that operate in real-world, mission-critical settings. The systems are already deployed and scaling globally, so reliability, clarity, and good engineering discipline matter.
You will join a small, highly capable engineering team and take real ownership of control systems that protect waterways, improve food safety, and support essential infrastructure.
Day to Day responsibilities:
PLC development
This is a confidential search. Apply via Seek with your CV and include a short note outlining your PLC and SCADA experience and the types of systems you have worked on. Must be a NZ Citizen or Permanent Resident.
This is a hands-on automation role where you will help design, build, and improve PLC-driven systems that operate in real-world, mission-critical settings. The systems are already deployed and scaling globally, so reliability, clarity, and good engineering discipline matter.
You will join a small, highly capable engineering team and take real ownership of control systems that protect waterways, improve food safety, and support essential infrastructure.
Day to Day responsibilities:
PLC development
- Develop and refine PLC logic using structured text, function blocks, and ladder logic
- Contribute to new control strategies for upcoming systems and upgrades
- Manage GitLab repositories including branching, commits, pull requests, and reviews
- Maintain coding standards and documentation to support long-term scalability
- Work with external partners to implement industrial communication protocols
- Support SCADA integration and on-site commissioning activities
- Collaborate closely with electrical and workshop teams to ensure systems operate as intended
- Select and integrate automation hardware including I/O modules and IO-Link devices
- Assist with building BOMs for new system designs
- Contribute to new systems, prototypes, and feature development
- Provide input into control architecture, safety considerations, and future scalability
- 2 to 5 years experience in industrial automation or control systems
- Strong PLC programming skills using structured text and ladder logic
- Understanding of industrial communication protocols such as EtherCAT, Modbus, IO-Link, or similar
- Familiarity with GitLab or comparable version control tools
- Someone who enjoys problem-solving and improving existing systems
- Comfortable working in a small team where your contribution has real impact
- Work on systems that matter and operate in essential infrastructure
- Real engineering work with tangible outcomes
- Exposure to globally deployed industrial systems
- Clear pathway into more senior automation and systems roles
- Fast-moving environment where good ideas are implemented, not parked
- Relocation support available for candidates moving to Palmerston North from other regions
This is a confidential search. Apply via Seek with your CV and include a short note outlining your PLC and SCADA experience and the types of systems you have worked on. Must be a NZ Citizen or Permanent Resident.