Senior Automation Engineer

  • Australia
  • Melbourne
  • Contract
  • Negotiable

We are seeking an experienced Senior Automation Engineer to support the upgrade and optimisation of a complex, safety-critical monitoring and control environment. This is a 2-year fixed-term contract with likelihood of extension.

This is a highly hands-on Senior Automation Engineer role focused on modernising a legacy SCADA, PLC, and RTU environment supporting critical infrastructure systems. You will lead the upgrade of key platforms, including “immediate reporting” systems, SCADA head-end environments, and broader monitoring systems. The role is focused on detailed design (following completed high-level design), bug fixing, system optimisation, and testing/validation of system changes.

The role involves managing a large-scale asset base of 900-1000 PLC/RTU devices and 50,000+ alarm points, requiring deep technical expertise across control systems plus a good understanding networking technologies and cybersecurity controls. This position suits a detail-oriented engineer who can operate independently to design, troubleshoot, and deliver complex system improvements across IT/OT environments.

Key Responsibilities

  • Review and interpret existing PLC/RTU electrical schematics and I/O mappings, translating into updated control system designs and PLC logic
  • Assess system impacts, constraints, and dependencies across integrated SCADA, PLC, and RTU environments
  • Develop, modify, and optimise PLC programs (Ladder Logic/STL) and supporting applications (Python/C++)
  • Perform end-to-end system integration, including cabinet-level components, field devices, and SCADA head-end interfaces
  • Troubleshoot complex issues across electrical, control system, and SCADA layers, including upstream/downstream dependencies
  • Diagnose and resolve faults across:
  • Electrical systems and multi-voltage environments
  • PLC configurations and logic execution
  • SCADA protocols and telemetry systems
  • Conduct network traffic and protocol analysis (e.g. Wireshark) to identify and resolve communication issues between PLCs, RTUs, and SCADA systems
  • Support system testing, validation, and optimisation, ensuring stability and performance in live operational environments
  • Produce and maintain detailed engineering documentation, including system designs, configurations, and test artefacts

Key Requirements

  • Extensive experience in electrical, instrumentation, and control systems, with deep expertise in SCADA, PLC, and RTU environments
  • Strong hands-on capability in PLC programming (Ladder Logic/STL) and SCADA system configuration
  • Proven experience designing and delivering complex automated monitoring and control systems
  • Strong knowledge of industrial communication protocols (e.g. Modbus, BACnet, SNMP) and telemetry systems
  • Solid understanding of electrical systems, circuit design, and multi-voltage environments, including UPS-backed systems
  • Proficiency in Python and/or C++ for developing custom applications, integrations, and automation scripts
  • Experience working within virtualised infrastructure environments (VMware vSphere, ESXi, vCenter)
  • Advanced troubleshooting capability across control systems, networking, and software layers
  • Strong understanding of networking fundamentals and security (OSI Layers 1-3)
  • Demonstrated experience working in brownfield/legacy environments, including system integration and reverse engineering
  • Experience delivering high-availability and resilient system designs in critical infrastructure environments
  • Ability to produce high-quality technical documentation and engineering artefacts
  • Strong analytical capability with the ability to operate autonomously on complex technical challenges
  • Demonstrated technical leadership, including mentoring and supporting engineering teams
  • Experience supporting live operational systems, including incident investigation and resolution

Mandatorily requirements

  • A Mechatronics, Electrical, Electronics, Telecommunications or similar engineering degree, or certified equivalent international qualification, that provides eligibility for registration as a professional engineer under applicable state or territory legislation (e.g. Board of Professional Engineers Queensland, or Victoria)
  • Security: Able to obtain and maintain an Australian Government National Security Clearance at the required level. Australian Citizenship is therefore mandatory.

If you would like to know more, please contact Milly Kerei-Keepa at milly.kerei-keepa@talentinternational.com or hit Apply Now

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