About this role
Job title: Automation Engineer
About the Role An Automation Engineer to provide technical support across electrical, mechanical and automation disciplines, and to lead configuration, programming and on-site troubleshooting for Sonoco’s Chesterfield and Bradford production sites. This role emphasizes project planning, hardware design, HMI development, and hands-on commissioning to deliver reliable automation systems and ongoing improvements.
What You'll Do
- Provide technical support to all areas daily across electrical, mechanical and automation disciplines.
- Configuration and programming of controllers and visualizations using Siemens (Simatic Manager, TIA Portal and WinCC Flexible).
- Project planning and programming of drive technology and servo drives with emphasis on SEW Drive as well as Allen Bradley systems.
- Development, conception, design and creation of hardware / circuit diagrams.
- Automation troubleshooting following a recognisable troubleshooting process.
- Experience with bus systems such as Profinet and Profibus with knowledge of ASI and CAN bus.
- Project management and project coordination of site automation projects.
- Utilise AutoCAD/CAD systems to maintain documentation updates, producing 2D CAD drawings of control panels, P&IDs and electrical wiring diagrams.
- Provide onsite services to assist in start-up or troubleshooting.
- Support and lead automation activities at both the Chesterfield and Bradford Production Sites.
- Develop HMIs for operator use.
- Coordinating with cross-functional teams to resolve automation issues.
- Write programs for new designed automatic and semi-automatic machines and conveyor systems for Siemens and Allen Bradley hardware.
- Debug.
What We're Looking For
- Strong experience with Siemens S7 / SIMATIC, SIMATIC Manager, TI Portal and WinCC; ability to develop and deploy HMIs.
- Experience with drive technology and servo drives (SEW and Allen-Bradley).
- Knowledge of Profinet/Profibus; familiarity with ASI and CAN bus networks.
- Proficient in AutoCAD/CAD for documentation; ability to produce 2D drawings (P&ID, wiring diagrams, control panels).
- Project management and coordination experience across site automation projects; able to provide on-site start-up/troubleshooting.
- Ability to write programs for Siemens and Allen-Bradley hardware.
- Strong troubleshooting discipline and ability to work with cross-functional teams.
- Willingness to operate across multiple production sites (Chesterfield and Bradford).
Nice to Have
- Prior on-site commissioning experience at industrial facilities.
- Experience working in multi-site manufacturing environments (Chesterfield and Bradford).