What is an automation engineer?
Automation engineers are experts in simplifying processes. An automation engineer can improve the efficiency of various manufacturing or computer processes or systems by automating parts of them or the entire process or system to do work on their own. They may also design entirely new technology to automate a system or process.
Automation engineers are also referred to as test automation engineers and process automation engineers since testing and process improvement play such big roles in their work. Those who work specifically in industrial environments, like manufacturing plants, are known as industrial automation engineers.
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Instrument Control Engineer
Location: Kwinana
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Production & Manufacturing
Experience: 4 years
Design and enhance engineering solutions to optimise plant performance, reduce delays, and lower lifecycle costs of process control systems. Develop and improve process control strategies including PID tuning and alarm rationalisation. Maintain and configure PLCs, SCADA systems (AB Studio 5000, FTView SE), and field instrumentation. Commission and support VSDs, DOLs, network switches, and other control assets. Conduct software updates, firmware patches, documentation, and reporting as part of continuous improvement. Predict and analyse maintenance needs and lead failure investigations. Contribute to risk assessments and mitigation planning using enterprise frameworks. Support technician development in control and instrumentation areas.
Cost Engineer / Senior Cost Engineer
Location: Brisbane
Branche: Conventional Energy
Expertise: Controlling
Experience: 3 years
To work with the Cost Lead and Lead Cost Engineer on the consolidation of the Feasex, Expex, Capex portfolio costs for Upstream and Midstream Maintain and update cost databases and assist in the collection of relevant data Coordination of the Change Management process including maintenance of trend register Continuous improvement of processes Preparation of monthly Joint Venture billings Collation of material for management presentations and meetings Assist in producing the cost reports to be issued to the Group Perform Project Services for one or more projects that have a strategic impact on a single functional or organisational discipline Deploy advanced techniques to solve multiple related project services issues Coordinate activities within own area of expertise Some exposure to interaction with business leadership Work within boundaries of the Company's overall Project Services policies and general agreements Has some autonomy in adjusting objectives, policies and plans independently
Project Engineer - Subdivision's
Location: Darwin
Branche: Infrastructure
Expertise: HR & Recruiting
Experience: 2 years
Project Coordination: Assist in planning and execution of subdivision projects, ensuring adherence to scope, budget, and timelines. Site Management: Oversee construction activities, ensuring quality, safety, and environmental compliance. Stakeholder Liaison: Work closely with contractors, consultants, councils, and utility providers to ensure smooth project progression. Technical Oversight: Monitor and review engineering designs, specifications, and construction methodologies. Compliance & Safety: Ensure all work meets local regulations, industry standards, and safety protocols. Reporting & Documentation: Maintain accurate project records, progress reports, and compliance documentation.
Lead Mechanical Engineer
Location: Perth
Branche: Mining
Expertise: Validation
Experience: 5 years
Lead all mechanical works across fixed plant construction and commissioning phases Oversee installation and mechanical completion of crushers, conveyors, mills, pumps, and other infrastructure Manage inspections, punchlisting, QA/QC, and system handover to operations Interface with construction, commissioning, operations, and vendor teams to resolve technical issues Ensure safety, compliance, and engineering standards are maintained at all stages of delivery Contribute to planning and support startup of mechanical systems
CSU Engineer
Location: Brisbane
Branche: Conventional Energy
Expertise: Validation
Experience: 4 years
Act as senior site representative in the absence of the CSU Superintendent Prepare the relevant commissioning procedures & documentation support project specific Commissioning execution Schedule and track commissioning progress Ensure the application of appropriate standards particularly where they relate to commissioning Under supervision coordinate all aspects of the Upstream Project Commissioning Ensure commissioning interface with other project groups, in particular with Construction, Engineering, and Scheduling are maintained and effective Report commissioning progress to the Upstream Business Ensure a robust HSSE and Quality culture is undertaken on the project and on site in an appropriate professional manne Under supervision assist in the development and implementation of a Commissioning audit program pertinent to the entire Upstream Project Assist in ensuring Contractor compliance with the project Commissioning requirements, plans, procedures, and processes Under supervision liaise with the Production Operations Group to ensure that at facility Start-Up there is a smooth transition of responsibility from to Operations. Provide Commissioning input into all aspects of the various sub project schedules and the integrated project schedule Provide input into facility design promoting safe and efficient execution of pre-commissioning and commissioning activities Observe and monitor contracting staff working on or near process Plant, Gas Field Well Sites and/or pipelines from Well Sites. Support all CSU disciplines by advice and recommendations on improvements in production and planned maintenance. Input to design change implementation. Participation in HAZOP and documentation reviews. Provide assistance in major maintenance works such as shutdowns, well intervention, and other green and brownfield works. Develop, Verify, Authorise & Issue permits within Scope Develop, Verify, Authorise Isolations within Scope Support mechanical technicians to ensure training skill development within the CSU team is compliant with QGC/Shell standards. Work with the CSU Superintendent to align team performance goals and expectations
What does an automation engineer do?
In this profession, automation engineers are responsible for understanding manual processes currently used in a business and assess the areas where automation can improve efficiency. Based on the analysis, automation engineers design and develop automated systems that can perform tasks such as data collection, monitoring, and decision-making, which would otherwise be performed manually.
Before deployment, automation engineers test and validate the automated systems to ensure that they are functioning correctly and meet the business requirements. Automation engineers work closely with software developers, quality assurance professionals, project managers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the automation system meets the business requirements and integrates well with other systems. After deployment, automation engineers monitor and maintain the automated systems to ensure that they continue to work as expected.
In addition, automation engineers need to stay up-to-date with the latest technologies to improve and optimize their automated systems continually. They must document their work and report on the status of the automated systems to stakeholders and management.
Overall, automation engineers play a critical role in modernizing and optimizing businesses by automating their processes, improving efficiency, and reducing manual labor. Automation engineers have been used in the manufacturing industry for decades, but it’s relatively new to the business, healthcare, and finance industries. Today, automation engineers can work in a variety of sectors, including pharmaceutical and medical devices, (bio)chemical, oil and gas, food processing, mining, waste and water treatment, software engineering and eCommerce warehousing, among others.
Common automation engineer responsibilities
An automation engineer is responsible for automating systems and processes, and more specific responsibilities may include:
- Designing and developing automation solutions to streamline manual processes and improve efficiency;
- Ensuring that the automation system works as expected by testing and troubleshooting any issues that may arise;
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams, such as software developers, quality assurance teams, and project managers to ensure that the automation system meets business requirements;
- Implementing and maintaining automation systems to run smoothly;
- Conducting feasibility studies and developing recommendations based on their findings;
- Performing system upgrades to keep up to date with technology advancements;
- Documenting and reporting on automation work to stakeholders and management;
- Training end-users on the new automated system to ensure proper use of the technology;
- Improving processes and automate new areas to streamline operations;
- Gathering customer or user requirements to develop suitable automation solutions.
Qualifications for automation engineers
Automation engineers should have at least a Bachelor's degree in Automation Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. In some cases, a Master's degree or higher may be required for more advanced positions. In addition to a degree, automation engineers may need to be licensed in order to practice. Licensing requirements vary by country.
Additional supporting skills and experience include:
- 2-5+ years of automation engineering experience;
- Excellent technical skills, including experience in software development, automation tools, and programming languages;
- Strong problem-solving skills and able to troubleshoot and resolve issues quickly;
- Ability to work well in teams and collaborate with cross-functional teams;
- Excellent communication skills to convey complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders;
- Being detail-oriented and able to identify potential issues and areas for improvement;
Thinking creatively and developing innovative solutions to automate processes.