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 and efficient technical solutions, standards, and governance. Acting as the site’s automation competence center, the role also serves as the key liaison with IT and digital teams. Additionally, the engineer will oversee 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 focusing 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 and high-performing workforce.
- Share best practices and expertise in automation, control, and digitization across teams.
- Design and deliver training programs for staff, engineers, operators, and technicians on automation and control systems.
- Manage the instrumentation and metering maintenance and calibration program, 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 and execute asset classification and lifecycle management for process control systems and automation assets.
- Investigate deviations, support troubleshooting, and conduct 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 and digitization projects.
- Oversee project commissioning activities including FAT, SAT, inspections, and handover processes.
- Plan and implement periodic qualification and re-qualification for automation, digitization, instrumentation, and metering systems.
- Design and maintain process control systems, coding/recipes (DCS, SCADA, PLCs), historian configurations, and software change controls.
- Establish and maintain computer systems life cycle management and operational technology (OT) activities such as backup, patch management, and user access controls.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Automation, or Mechatronics Engineering.
- 6-7 years of experience in automation engineering within a manufacturing environment.
- Proven leadership experience managing external resources and multidisciplinary 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.
- Proficient in developing automation solutions aligned with corporate strategies and global standards.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to present ideas and technical solutions effectively.
- Hands-on experience with PLCs (S7-1500, S7-400), PLC programming languages (STL, SCL, LL), and HMI programming.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits

- Experience in developing and executing training programs for engineering and operational staff.
- Ability to manage vendor contracts and ensure compliance with company policies.
- Exposure to health and safety risk assessments and GMP compliance in project execution.
- Opportunity to work at a critical global manufacturing site supporting worldwide operations.
- Engagement in a culture that values curiosity, empowerment, inclusivity, and agility, fostering continuous learning and growth.

This position requires up to 25% travel and is based in Lahore, Pakistan. The role offers the chance to contribute to a globally recognized company with a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and inclusive culture.