Industrial Automation, OT & Manufacturing Systems Engineer

SUMMARY:
An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced Industrial Automation, OT & Manufacturing Systems Engineer to join a long-term industrial project based in Kempton Park.

The successful candidate will be responsible for assessing existing manufacturing equipment and integrating machine and Operational Technology (OT) data into production-monitoring systems. The role focuses on brownfield integration, industrial communication, machine data acquisition and practical commissioning, with minimal disruption to existing production processes.

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities Inspect and assess existing PLCs, industrial I\/O, machine signals, networks and communication systems. Work with PLCs and industrial control systems while ensuring that existing machine control is not unnecessarily disrupted. Configure, integrate and troubleshoot Advantech ADAM modules or comparable industrial I\/O and data-acquisition equipment. Configure and troubleshoot RS-485, Modbus RTU\/TCP and other applicable industrial communication networks. Identify reliable machine signals, including cycle counters, stroke counters and machine-state signals. Determine when additional sensors or I\/O are required where existing machine data is insufficient for monitoring purposes. Support read-only machine-data acquisition and integration into software and data platforms. Diagnose communication, signal and integration issues during proof-of-concept activities and commissioning. Support production-monitoring and OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) functionality, including machine states, cycle times, downtime and changeovers. Conduct on-site signal validation and commissioning activities. Prepare and contribute to machine mappings, commissioning records, as-built documentation and technical reports. Collaborate with engineering, production and software\/data teams to ensure reliable machine-data integration. Minimum Experience & Technical Competencies The ideal candidate will have: Hands-on experience working with live manufacturing or industrial equipment rather than purely academic PLC projects. Practical experience with PLCs, Modbus, RS-485 and industrial networking. Experience integrating existing or legacy machinery into SCADA, MES, historian, IoT, OEE or production-monitoring systems. Experience with machine commissioning, signal validation and on-site troubleshooting. The ability to interpret machine signals and determine the most reliable sources of production data. Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills within an industrial\/OT environment. A practical understanding of manufacturing processes, machine states, cycle times, downtime and changeovers. OEE and production-monitoring experience will be advantageous, although strong core OT and automation experience will be considered. Qualifications & Certifications The following qualifications are preferred but not mandatory: Degree or diploma in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Mechatronics, Control & Instrumentation, Automation or a related field. Vendor-specific PLC\/automation training or certifications. Relevant electrical, instrumentation or trade qualifications will be advantageous, particularly where the candidate has hands-on experience with physical electrical\/instrumentation work. Strong relevant practical experience may be considered in place of formal qualifications or certifications. Ideal Candidate Profile We are looking for a hands-on Industrial Automation \/ OT professional who is comfortable working with existing manufacturing equipment and solving real-world integration challenges. The successful candidate should be able to work confidently in brownfield environments, investigate undocumented or legacy systems, identify reliable machine signals and integrate production data without compromising machine availability or safety.