Automation Technician

Role Overview

Automation Technician at Unilever. Location not specified in source.

Role Purpose

This role exists to ensure safe, reliable and efficient operation of factory electrical, instrumentation and automation systems. The Automation Technician delivers preventive maintenance, rapid fault diagnosis, focused improvement and technical support to reduce downtime, protect product quality and minimize waste and environmental impact. The role also supports maintenance strategy and coaches Technical Operators in engineering and manufacturing-system practices.

Key Responsibilities

Maintenance & Reliability

• Perform preventive maintenance, inspections and routine checks, and monitor equipment parameters to reduce planned and unplanned downtime.
• Record equipment usage, parts replacement and scheduled maintenance, and provide periodic status reports on automation systems and improvement activities.
• Service, troubleshoot and verify process-control instruments, and ensure instruments and sensors remain within calibration requirements.

Operations & Support

• Support production and process plants by maintaining the technical integrity of electrical, instrumentation, automation and related maintenance systems.
• Diagnose and repair faults in machinery, instruments, electrical systems, control panels and automation equipment to restore safe operation quickly.
• Troubleshoot PLC-based systems, I/O modules, HMIs, SCADA, VFDs, servo systems, special-function modules, OT networks and integrated systems.

Design & Implementation

• Design, program and implement automation improvements for packaging lines and process plants, and maintain accurate electrical and automation documentation.
• Support installation, commissioning and upgrades of equipment, and facilitate the introduction of new technologies with Projects Engineering.

Collaboration & Coordination

• Coordinate with Production, Process Engineering, Safety, Quality, Innovation and Projects teams to resolve electrical, instrumentation and automation issues.

Safety & Compliance

• Apply electrical safety requirements, including isolation, Lock Out Tag Out, verification of absence of voltage, grounding/short-circuiting where required, and work-area delimitation.

Qualifications & Experience

• 3 to 5 years of hands-on electrical and automation experience, preferably in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Diploma in Electrical, Mechatronics, Instrumentation or Automation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Control or Mechatronics Engineering.
• Experience designing, installing, maintaining and repairing automated equipment in industrial or manufacturing settings.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong safety mindset, problem-solving ability, initiative, communication skills and ability to work independently.
• Practical ability to program PLCs and make changes to HMI and SCADA systems.
• Ability to read P&IDs, electrical drawings and software diagrams, and to troubleshoot electrical, instrumentation and automation breakdowns.
• Knowledge of mechanical operation and maintenance, HVAC systems, OT networks, VFDs and servo systems.

Additional Information

• Unilever is committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive business results and create a better future for diverse employees, global consumers, partners and communities.
• Candidates requiring support or access requirements are encouraged to advise at the time of application.