Automation Engineer

The Automation Engineer will lead the site automation function at The Coca-Cola Company’s concentrate manufacturing facility in Lahore, Pakistan. This role is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and continuously improving automation processes across buildings, equipment, utilities, production lines, and plant systems. The engineer will drive automation projects aligned with the company’s global automation strategy, delivering cost-effective technical solutions, standards, and governance. Acting as the site’s automation competence center, the role will also serve as the key interface with IT and digital teams. Additionally, the Automation Engineer will oversee the instrumentation and metering maintenance and calibration programs to ensure operational integrity, compliance, and high-quality performance of all plant installations and production systems.

Key Responsibilities

- Develop and propose automation initiatives to enhance plant performance in line with automation evolution strategies.
- Lead and manage all automation projects aimed at improving site operations.
- Implement and maintain technical automation standards compliant with corporate guidelines.
- Create, update, and enforce automation and digitization Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Support equipment, utility, and facility improvement projects focused on energy efficiency, productivity, environmental compliance, and maintenance.
- Foster the development of engineering team skills related to automation, control, and digitization to build a competent, high-performing workforce.
- Share best practices and expertise in automation, control, and digital technologies across the site.
- Design and deliver training programs for staff, engineers, operators, and technicians in automation and control systems.
- Manage instrumentation and metering maintenance and calibration programs, ensuring system integrity, reliability, and quality.
- Drive improvements in technical availability, reliability, and condition of control, automation, and digitization assets.
- Establish cost-efficient repair, maintenance, and calibration processes compliant with local regulations, HSE, and GMP standards.
- Define asset classification and lifecycle management for process control systems and automation equipment.
- Develop, monitor, and enhance control systems, automation, maintenance, and calibration plans.
- Investigate deviations and support troubleshooting and root cause analysis related to process control and automation systems.
- Manage vendor and contractor relationships, ensuring compliance with company policies and contract requirements.
- Develop equipment specifications, system requirements, and safety risk assessments for automation projects.
- Oversee testing, commissioning, and qualification activities including FAT, SAT, and inspections.
- Plan and execute periodic qualification and re-qualification of automation, digitization, instrumentation, and metering systems.
- Design and implement process control systems, coding/recipes for DCS, SCADA, PLCs, and control networks.
- Maintain historian configurations, software change controls, Master Batch Records (MBR) for MES, and computer systems lifecycle management.
- Lead Operational Technology (OT) activities such as backup and recovery, patch management, remote and user access control.
- Establish and maintain OT services, processes, and procedures for automation and manufacturing equipment.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Automation, or Mechatronics Engineering.
- 6-7 years of experience in automation engineering within manufacturing environments.
- Proven leadership experience managing external resources and cross-functional teams.
- Strong project management skills including resource planning, budget control, and quality assurance.
- Expertise in software/hardware control systems, automation, digitization, instrumentation, and metering operations including maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Proficient in developing automation solutions aligned with global strategies and plant-specific requirements.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to present ideas and technical solutions effectively.
- Hands-on experience with PLCs, specifically Siemens S7-1500 and S7-400.
- Skilled in PLC programming languages such as STL, SCL, and LL.
- Experience in HMI programming and configuration.
- Fluent in English and proficient in the local language.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits

While specific benefits are not detailed, the role offers the opportunity to work at a key global manufacturing site, contributing to worldwide operations. The position supports professional growth through leadership of automation projects, continuous improvement initiatives, and team development in a dynamic, technology-driven environment. Performance will be measured by effective budget management, successful execution of training programs, adherence to SOPs, compliance with GMP and HSE standards, and achievement of project and maintenance goals.