| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Engineering |
| Level | Mid level |
| Reports to | Engineering Manager (Projects) |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | 3 to 6 years in industrial automation |
Automation Engineer job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Automation Engineer
Department: Engineering
Reports to: Engineering Manager (Projects)
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
An Automation Engineer designs, programs and commissions automated systems on plant lines. They select PLCs, drives, sensors and HMIs, write control logic, and integrate machines so they run reliably with less manual work. The role sits in the controls or projects team. A good Automation Engineer cuts cycle time and downtime, makes lines safe and repeatable, and documents the control system so maintenance can support it.
Key responsibilities
- Design control systems for machines and lines, selecting PLCs, drives, sensors and HMIs.
- Write and test PLC and HMI programs to the process and safety requirements.
- Prepare control panel schematics and IO lists and check panels against them.
- Integrate machines, robots and instruments over industrial communication networks.
- Commission systems on site, tune loops and prove the sequence of operation.
- Build safety interlocks and comply with machine safety practice.
- Troubleshoot control faults during trials and support production ramp up.
- Document logic, IO and operating instructions for maintenance handover.
- Support continuous improvement by cutting cycle time and downtime.
Requirements
- Degree or diploma in electrical, electronics or instrumentation
- Training in PLC and SCADA platforms
- Knowledge of machine safety standards
- 3 to 6 years in industrial automation
KRAs and KPIs for a Automation Engineer
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Commissioning | Automated lines handed over within the commissioning schedule |
| Uptime | Control system related downtime below 2 percent after handover |
| Program quality | Logic changes on site after commissioning below 5 per project |
| Safety | All safety interlocks tested and signed off before production |
| Documentation | Complete logic and IO documentation delivered at handover |
| Cycle time | Line cycle time meets or beats the design target |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Siemens TIA Portal or Allen-Bradley, SCADA software, AutoCAD Electrical, VFD and servo drives, Industrial network tools.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Automation Lead, Design Engineering Manager, Controls Architect
Interview questions for a Automation Engineer
- Walk me through commissioning a new automated line from panel check to handover.
- How do you structure PLC code so maintenance can support it later?
- A line trips intermittently after handover. How do you find the cause?
- How do you design and test safety interlocks on a machine?
- Which industrial networks have you integrated and what problems did you hit?
- How do you tune a control loop that is oscillating?
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What does an Automation Engineer do?
An Automation Engineer designs, programs and commissions automated machines and lines. They select PLCs, drives, sensors and HMIs, write control logic, integrate equipment over industrial networks, build safety interlocks and prove the sequence on site. Their job is reliable, safe automation that cuts manual work, cycle time and downtime.
What is the difference between an Automation Engineer and a PLC Programmer?
A PLC Programmer focuses on writing and testing the control logic. An Automation Engineer covers the wider system: selecting hardware, designing panels, integrating machines, commissioning and safety. Programming is part of the automation engineer role, while a dedicated PLC programmer goes deeper on the code itself.
What qualifications does an Automation Engineer need?
A degree or diploma in electrical, electronics or instrumentation engineering, plus training on PLC and SCADA platforms such as Siemens or Allen-Bradley. Employers value hands on commissioning experience, knowledge of drives and networks, and an understanding of machine safety standards.