Lead PLC/Automation Engineer

Lead PLC / Automation Engineer

Location: Villach, Austria

Industry: Semiconductor Equipment / Industrial Automation

Employment: Permanent, Full-time

The Opportunity:

I'm working with an international engineering company specialising in advanced automated machinery for the semiconductor industry.

They're exploring the appointment of a Lead PLC / Automation Engineer to take technical ownership of PLC development, support a growing software engineering function and help shape the future direction of their automation systems.

This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys remaining hands-on technically but also wants greater responsibility for engineering decisions, complex projects and mentoring other engineers.

The company develops sophisticated equipment used in semiconductor manufacturing, combining PLC software, precision motion control, robotics and complex machine sequences.

Key Responsibilities:

• Take technical ownership of PLC software development and automation architecture.
• Develop, maintain and optimise PLC applications using Beckhoff TwinCAT and/or B&R Automation Studio.
• Lead complex automation projects from initial concept through development, testing and commissioning.
• Design and implement motion control, servo drive and machine handling systems.
• Support software integration across PLC, robotics and other machine control components.
• Troubleshoot complex automation issues and improve machine performance and reliability.
• Mentor engineers, share technical knowledge and contribute to engineering best practices.
• Work closely with the Head of Software Engineering on technical decisions, project priorities and future team development.
• Help establish scalable, maintainable software solutions for next-generation semiconductor equipment.

Technical Requirements:

Essential / Highly Desirable

• Strong professional experience in PLC/SPS software development for industrial machinery.
• Hands-on expertise with Beckhoff TwinCAT and/or B&R Automation Studio .
• Strong programming skills in Structured Text (IEC 61131-3) .
• Experience with motion control, servo drives and complex machine sequences.
• Background in special-purpose machinery, industrial automation, robotics or similar environments.
• Ability to take ownership of technically challenging projects.
• Experience leading technical projects, mentoring engineers or working in a senior technical leadership capacity.

Additional Advantages

• ANSI C / C++ programming experience.
• Siemens TIA Portal or other PLC platforms.
• Semiconductor manufacturing equipment experience.
• Machine handlers, robotic integration and precision automation.
• Experience with commissioning, debugging and system optimisation.
• Previous experience coordinating small engineering teams.