Electrical Automation Engineer

Join GEA's Project Execution team and lead the design, programming, commissioning and optimisation of advanced automation solutions for the food, beverage and process industries. Working across PLC, HMI, SCADA, industrial networks and smart manufacturing technologies, you will deliver innovative projects from concept through to commissioning while partnering closely with customers and multidisciplinary engineering teams.

We are looking for an experienced Electrical & Automation Engineer to join our project execution team in our Tullamarine facility. Reporting to the Director Project Execution, the successful applicant will take technical responsibility for assigned projects from planning and design of process control systems through to installation and commissioning, making use of their specialist knowledge, strong communication skills and problem-solving capability to design and execute projects to meet customer specifications.

Electrical & Automation Engineer

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Electrical & Automation Engineer to join our Project Execution team based in Tullamarine, Victoria.

Reporting to the Director Project Execution, you will be responsible for the design, development, implementation and commissioning of electrical and automation systems for processing and manufacturing facilities. You will work collaboratively with process engineers, project managers, customers and subcontractors to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently and in accordance with GEA and customer standards.

This position offers the opportunity to work on complex automation projects across the dairy, beverage, food, pharmaceutical and industrial processing sectors while contributing to GEA's continued innovation in digitalisation and smart manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering & Design

• Develop electrical, automation and control system designs for process plant installations.
• Review and interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, functional descriptions and customer specifications.
• Design MCCs, control panels, remote I/O systems and field instrumentation architectures.
• Prepare electrical and automation specifications, calculations and technical documentation.
• Select and specify motors, VSDs, instrumentation, PLC hardware and network components.
• Ensure compliance with Australian Standards, customer specifications and internal engineering standards.
• Develop and maintain design documentation, including drawings, cable schedules, I/O lists and functional descriptions.
• Produce and maintain as-built documentation and project records.

PLC, HMI & SCADA Development

• Develop, configure and commission PLC, HMI and SCADA applications.

• Program and troubleshoot:

  • Rockwell Studio 5000
  • FactoryTalk View
  • Siemens TIA Portal
  • WinCC

• Participate in FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing) and SAT (Site Acceptance Testing).

• Support software simulation, testing and validation activities prior to commissioning.

• Implement alarm management, reporting, historian and diagnostics functionality where applicable.

Industrial Networking & Digitalisation

• Design and implement industrial communication networks including:

  • Ethernet/IP
  • Profinet
  • IO-Link
  • AS-i
  • Modbus TCP
  • Profibus

• Support plant connectivity, data acquisition and integration with higher-level systems.

• Contribute to Industry 4.0 initiatives, digitalisation projects and operational performance improvements.

• Apply industrial cybersecurity principles to control systems and network architectures.

Project Delivery

• Take technical ownership of assigned projects from concept through commissioning.
• Prepare electrical and automation cost estimates and support project budgeting activities.
• Coordinate suppliers, subcontractors and technical resources.
• Manage technical risks, scope changes and engineering deliverables.
• Support procurement activities including technical vendor evaluations and equipment selection.
• Provide technical support throughout installation and commissioning phases.
• Work closely with project managers to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.

Site Commissioning & Customer Support

• Lead or support site installation, energisation, commissioning and start-up activities.
• Troubleshoot electrical, automation and process control issues.
• Deliver operator and maintenance training to customers.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships throughout the project lifecycle.
• Identify continuous improvement opportunities and implement corrective actions where required.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Support safe work practices and ensure compliance with GEA and customer safety standards.
• Participate in risk assessments, SWMS, JSEA and commissioning safety reviews.
• Ensure engineering activities comply with relevant Australian and international standards.
• Promote a strong safety culture across all project activities.

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Skills & Experience

Essential

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Automation Engineering or related discipline.

• Minimum 5 years' experience delivering industrial electrical and automation projects.

• Strong experience with:

  • Rockwell Automation platforms
  • Siemens automation platforms
  • PLC and HMI design and development
  • Industrial communications and networking

• Ability to read and interpret:

  • Electrical schematics
  • P&IDs
  • Functional descriptions
  • Control philosophies

• Experience with electrical design, commissioning and troubleshooting.

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

• Experience in electrical and automation scope estimation and costing.

• Current driver's licence and ability to travel to project sites.

Preferred

• Experience within dairy, food & beverage, pharmaceutical or industrial processing environments.

• Knowledge of:

  • SCADA systems
  • Historian platforms
  • MES integration
  • Digital manufacturing technologies

• Knowledge of:

  • AS3000
  • AS3008
  • AS4024
  • AS60079 Hazardous Area Standards

• Experience with:

  • IO-Link
  • AS-i
  • Safety PLCs
  • Machine safety systems

• Registered Professional Engineer (RPEQ/PE Victoria) or eligibility to obtain registration.

• NER registration or Chartered Engineer status.g team that exceeds expectations, should not hesitate in applying for this role.