Senior Automation & Controls Engineer
Water & Wastewater | ICA / SCADA | Ireland (with relocation support for international candidates
Also known as: Senior ICA Engineer Senior I&C Engineer Senior SCADA Engineer Senior Process Control Engineer
Role: Senior Automation & Controls Engineer
Area: Project Delivery - Automation
Location: Galway/Cork/Meath, Ireland (with infrequent travel to UK)
Duration: Permanent, following 6-month probationary period
Salary: Competitive senior-level package
Relocation: Support available for international candidates (see below)
About Glanua
Glanua is an industry leader in providing innovative and sustainable engineering solutions to design, build, operate and maintain critical water and wastewater infrastructure across Ireland and the UK. We are a trusted delivery partner to the municipal and industrial sector, and our clients include some of the largest water utilities in Ireland and the UK, including Uisce Eireann (formerly Irish Water), Thames Water, Yorkshire Water and Affinity Water.
We are passionate about solving today's environmental challenges and delivering a decarbonised, sustainable world. We know that to build successful, creative teams we need a diverse workforce that brings new ways of thinking, and we provide an environment where you have the freedom to develop and grow to your full potential. We champion our core values and uphold the highest standards of Safety and Well-being, Innovation, Integrity, Collaboration, Courage, Agility, Accountability, Diversity and Inclusion in everything we do.
We are a team of 600+ people across Ireland, the UK and Portugal and are rapidly expanding across several disciplines to meet our ambitious growth plans.
The Role
We are looking for an experienced Senior Automation & Controls Engineer to join our Automation Team at senior level. You will design, programme and deliver PLC, HMI and SCADA solutions for water treatment, wastewater treatment and energy projects across Ireland and the UK, covering greenfield plants and major upgrades involving technologies such as RO, MBR, SBR, MBBR, DAF, tertiary treatment, sludge handling, network telemetry and pumping stations.
This is a hands-on, full-lifecycle role combining technical delivery with strategic package management: tendering, functional design, software development, FAT, on-site control systems commissioning and testing, SAT and handover. You will own the automation and EC&I scope on assigned projects, acting as the technical lead and primary interface between the client, our project teams, and external Automation System Integrators (SIs), panel builders and instrumentation suppliers. You will manage the full supplier lifecycle, from selection and contracting through to design review, FAT witnessing and commissioning support, while also developing and building PLC code, HMI and SCADA solutions directly where required.
You will work inside a multi-disciplinary team alongside process, mechanical, electrical and project management colleagues, in a genuine "one team" culture, with the autonomy to develop ideas, shape internal standards and introduce new technology. You will work closely with the Electrical Design department on MCC schedules, motor lists, VSD specifications and overall EC&I integration.
You'll join an automation team that is busy, growing, and delivering against a strong multi-year pipeline of work, including significant programmes for Uisce Eireann and our UK water utility clients (Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, Affinity Water as well as opportunities across the Glanua Group including Glanua UK, Glanua Industrial, Aqua Operations and Marches Biogas. This breadth gives exposure to municipal water and wastewater, industrial treatment, operations-focused delivery and renewable energy / biogas projects. You'll work alongside experienced peers on landmark schemes, with the autonomy to shape internal standards, contribute to engineering decisions on major capital projects, and introduce new technology into our delivery. Glanua is a place that invests in its engineers, through CPD, technical specialisation and breadth of project responsibility.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Lead the functional design of PLC architecture, control networks and communication interfaces for water and wastewater treatment plants and networks.
Develop Functional Design Specifications (FDS) and Software Design Specifications (SDS) from client Control Philosophies, P&IDs and Design Briefs.
Build and test PLC code to a high standard, primarily on Siemens (TIA Portal / Step 7), Rockwell (Studio 5000 / RSLogix), Schneider or Mitsubishi platforms.
Design and develop SCADA applications for complete plants, including new builds and modifications to integrate new control into existing client systems, using AVEVA System Platform / InTouch, Ignition, Iconics.
Develop and configure HMI platforms to control automated systems.
Specify, configure and commission VSDs, instrumentation and field devices, and integrate them via EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Profibus, Modbus TCP/IP, Modbus RTU, DeviceNet and OPC UA.
Provide technical expertise and guidance to project delivery teams during system design, implementation and testing.
Present solutions for technical issues arising in control systems and perform fault-finding on highly automated systems.
Develop documentation and lead Software Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and Site Acceptance Tests (SAT) as part of project sign-off with the client.
Plan and implement all associated engineering tasks within a project to ensure time, cost and quality targets are met, including scheduling and prioritising across multiple concurrent projects.
Apply and develop engineering standards, templates and reusable libraries as part of the Automation Team.
Identify and apply opportunities to use AI tools to improve efficiency and quality across the project lifecycle, from design and software development through to testing, documentation and commissioning, and help develop new ways of using AI to enhance how the Automation Team delivers projects.
Work with key suppliers to ensure optimal use of available technologies and components.
Liaise with consultants, sub-contractors, site staff, commercial resources and the wider site team throughout the project.
Mentor and develop junior engineers, sharing technical knowledge and supporting their progression.
Ensure Health, Safety, Environmental & Sustainability standards, policies and procedures are adhered to on every site, in line with the HSQE management system and current statutory requirements.
Keep appraised of the latest standards and technology through continuous professional development (CPD).
Own the automation / EC&I package on assigned projects, taking accountability for technical scope, programme alignment and client satisfaction from contract award through to handover.
Manage System Integrator (SI) selection, onboarding and technical performance through the project lifecycle; develop and issue scope documents including Control Philosophies, design briefs and scope-of-supply matrices; chair design reviews and progress meetings.
Review and approve SI design deliverables, including FDS, SDS, network and architecture drawings, I/O schedules and panel general arrangements, providing credible technical challenge and ensuring fitness for purpose.
Manage technical RFIs, design changes and scope queries between the client and supply chain, with appropriate commercial and programme awareness.
Provide automation and EC&I technical input to tender submissions and proposals; develop scope-of-supply matrices and Bills of Quantities (BoQ) for control-system scope; review tender documents for risks and value-engineering opportunities.
Mentor junior engineers on the technical and package-management side of automation delivery.
Other duties as required from time to time.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential:
8+ years' experience in automation, ICA, I&C or control systems engineering, with significant exposure to the water, wastewater, desalination or utilities sector. (We will consider strong candidates with 5+ years where the project portfolio is exceptional.)
Degree (or equivalent) in Automation, Control & Instrumentation, Electrical/Electronic, Mechatronics or a related engineering discipline, with demonstrable Automation, Control & Instrumentation content.
Proven competence on at least one major PLC platform: Siemens, Rockwell, Schneider or Mitsubishi.
Proven competence on at least one major SCADA platform: AVEVA, Ignition, Iconics or Vijeo Citect.
Hands-on experience commissioning VSDs and instrumentation, and integrating them into control systems.
Strong on-site commissioning track record for automated control systems, including PLC/SCADA loop checkout, end-to-end I/O testing, control loop commissioning, plant start-up and client handover.
Working knowledge of industrial communication protocols: EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Profibus, Modbus TCP/IP, Modbus RTU, DeviceNet.
Experience producing FDS, SDS, FAT and SAT documentation to international standards.
Knowledge of applicable codes and regulations; experience working to UK / EU / IEC standards is an advantage.
Excellent problem-solving, fault-finding and analytical skills, with the ability to use your own initiative when issues arise during project delivery.
Strong written and verbal English, comfortable presenting technical solutions to clients and chairing review meetings.
Demonstrable project engineering, package management or technical-coordination experience in automation, EC&I or systems integration; water/wastewater or another regulated process sector preferred.
Demonstrable experience managing technical subcontractors and the supply chain, including Automation System Integrators, panel builders, instrumentation suppliers.
Strong working knowledge of at least one major PLC platform (Siemens, Rockwell, Schneider or Mitsubishi), sufficient to credibly review SI design deliverables, challenge technical decisions and resolve issues in detailed design and FAT.
Strong working knowledge of at least one major SCADA platform (AVEVA, Ignition, Iconics) at architecture and design level.
Solid working understanding of the electrical interface, including MCCs, VSDs, soft starters, field instrumentation and cable design, to coordinate effectively with the Electrical Design team.
Excellent technical document review skills, including FDS, SDS, schedules, network drawings, P&IDs.
Strong client-facing communication, both written and verbal; confident chairing design reviews and resolving technical issues across multiple stakeholders.
Practical awareness of project programme, scope, change management and the commercial implications of technical decisions on EC&I packages.
Full driving licence (or eligibility to obtain an Irish/EU driving licence on relocation).
Desirable:
Direct delivery experience on water or wastewater treatment plants, including RO desalination, MBR, SBR, MBBR, DAF, tertiary treatment and sludge handling, or on telemetry and SCADA for water networks.
Experience integrating to enterprise SCADA / historian environments (e.g. AVEVA Historian, PI System).
Exposure to OT cybersecurity standards (IEC 62443) and modern OT network architecture.
Direct experience managing automation/EC&I packages on water or wastewater treatment projects, including RO desalination, MBR, SBR, MBBR, DAF, tertiary treatment and sludge handling, or on telemetry/SCADA for water networks.
Prior experience working with multiple System Integrators across projects and platforms.
Tender / proposals experience, including SI and panel-builder engagement and BoQ development.
Awareness of IEC 61131-3, IEC 62443 (OT cybersecurity) and IEC 61511 (functional safety / SIL) where applicable.
Chartered status (CEng) or actively working toward it.
Experience working to UK / EU / IEC standards and to UK water-sector frameworks.
Prior experience working with Tier 1 utilities (Uisce Eireann, Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, Affinity Water, or international equivalents such as DEWA, ADWEA, SWCC, PWA, Mowasalat / KAHRAMAA, Diam, etc.).
What We Offer You
Competitive senior-level base salary.
Company laptop and phone.
Commercial vehicle.
Monday to Friday working week, with an early Friday finish and genuine work-life balance.
22 days annual leave plus 10 public holidays (32 days total).
Relocation support for international candidates: assistance with the move and the settling-in period, with details discussed at offer stage. (Full details to be confirmed per candidate.)
Access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a confidential 24/7/365 counselling service, free for you and your family.
Strong CPD support, technical development opportunities and the breadth of project work that comes with a fast-growing automation team.
Project variety across landmark water and wastewater schemes for Ireland and the UK's leading utilities and industrial clients.
The opportunity to join an ambitious, growing organisation that is investing heavily in its automation capability.
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