Automation Engineer

Description

Summary: Join a fresh-cut engineering team as a hands-on Automation Engineer to troubleshoot, maintain, and improve industrial automation systems in a live production environment. Highlights: 1. Troubleshoot, maintain, and improve automation systems 2. Support reliable, efficient operations in a live production environment 3. Contribute to continuous improvement across the site Automation Engineer 📍 Gisborne | 🕒 Full‑time, permanent (45 hours per week) 💰 Salary: $100,000 – $120,000 + benefits LeaderBrand is a proudly New Zealand‑owned horticultural business, growing fresh produce from garden gate to dinner plate. We’re looking for a hands‑on Automation Engineer to join our Fresh Cut Engineering team in Gisborne and support reliable, efficient Salad House operations. This is an industrial, on‑the‑floor role where you’ll troubleshoot, maintain, and improve automation systems directly in a live production environment. The role Reporting to the Process Engineering Manager, you’ll work closely with production and engineering teams to support PLC, SCADA, and automation systems, respond to issues as they arise, and contribute to continuous improvement across the site. Key responsibilities Program, maintain, and troubleshoot PLC and SCADA (Ignition) systems Diagnose automation and control system faults on the plant floor Design and improve HMI interfaces and control logic Support plant reliability through automation fault‑finding and optimisation Assist with planned maintenance and continuous improvement activities Maintain accurate system documentation and records Work collaboratively with production and engineering teams Follow GMP, HACCP, and Health & Safety requirements What you’ll bring Essential: Minimum 3 years’ experience in automation engineering or industrial control systems Relevant qualification and/or demonstrated experience in automation or ICS Strong PLC and SCADA experience (Ignition preferred) Practical, hands‑on troubleshooting ability in an industrial environment Good communication and problem‑solving skills Preferred: Experience with additional programming languages (e.g. Python, Java, C++) Food manufacturing or processing experience