Senior Automation Engineer

VIDA Projects & Engineering

Role Summary

As a Sr. Automation Engineer within the Central Projects & Engineering team , you play a key role in shaping and delivering automation and process control solutions across multiple bio‑energy facilities and projects. You work closely with engineering contractors , system integrators , OEM vendors and VTTI Group OT experts to ensure robust SCADA/PLC design, safeguarding, cybersecurity, and process control implementation. Your work spans the full lifecycle: concept, design, execution, commissioning, and optimization of automation systems that ensure safety, reliability, and high plant performance.

Key Responsibilities

1. Automation & Control Systems

• Design, program, and maintain PLC ‑based control systems and associated SCADA/HMI environments.
• Ensure correct integration of instrumentation, gas quality analyzers, safety devices, interlocks, and ESD logic.
• Lead troubleshooting across control systems to improve plant stability and reduce downtime.

2. Process Control Strategy & Architecture

• Develop and maintain the Process Control Strategy (PCS) for bio‑energy assets.
• Create and own control narratives , Cause & Effect (C&E) , alarm philosophy , and functional logic.
• Define, develop, and maintain the site-wide Process Control Architecture (networks, segregation, security layers, protocols) of all our locations (NL and UK).

3. Functional Design Specification (FDS) & Safety

• Prepare and maintain FDS , SDS , FAT/SAT documentation, commissioning plans, and test procedures.
• Participate in HAZOP, LOPA and SIL review meetings and implement safeguarding according to HAZOP, LOPA, and SIL requirements.
• Validate and support Safety Instrumented Functions (SIF), shutdown logic, and emergency response behavior.

4. IT/OT & Cybersecurity

• Work across IT and OT domains to ensure secure, resilient industrial networks.
• Define and maintain communication structures, including Modbus, OPC-UA, MQTT, Profinet, and secure remote access.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity specialists to strengthen critical infrastructure and maintain compliance standards.

5. Data Historian & Analytics

• Configure and maintain data historian systems (e.g., PI, Aveva, Ignition).
• Build dashboards and analytics that support operational decision-making, performance reviews, and reliability tracking.
• Support digitalization initiatives such as anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, and energy optimization.

6. Process Optimization

• Use operational data, trends, and plant diagnostics to identify opportunities for efficiency improvement, cost reduction, and methane yield optimization.
• Provide automation expertise to troubleshoot complex process issues related to fermentation, gas upgrading, utilities, and thermal systems together with other engineering disciplines.

7. Project Engineering & Vendor Management

• Act as automation lead in CAPEX projects, coordinating with:
• Engineering contractors (FEED, detailed design, commissioning)
• System integrators (software, PLC, SCADA programming)
• OEM vendors (compressors, digesters, analyzers, upgrading equipment)
• Ensure vendor-supplied packages meet functional, cybersecurity, and integration requirements.
• Support project delivery from design reviews through commissioning and handover.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Automation, Electrical Engineering, Control Engineering, Industrial IT, Mechatronics, or equivalent.
• 5–10+ years experience in industrial automation, preferably in bio‑energy , utilities , chemicals , food processing , or waste‑to-energy .

Technical Skills

• Strong PLC programming experience (e.g., Siemens, Rockwell, Schneider).
• SCADA/HMI development and alarm management skills.
• Deep understanding of process control, instrumentation, and safeguarding.
• Experience with FDS, C&E, SIL/LOPA, FAT/SAT.
• Knowledge of IT/OT architecture and industrial cybersecurity.
• Experience with historians and data analytics.

Soft Skills

• Strong communicator with the ability to manage diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Proactive, structured, and hands‑on problem solver.
• Capable of guiding contractors and OEM vendors in a multi‑project environment.

What We Offer

• A central role in scaling and optimizing sustainable bio‑energy assets.
• Collaboration with a wide network of engineering partners, vendors, and internal specialists.
• Opportunities for technical leadership, innovation, and cross‑site influence.