Automation Engineer
AI Summary
The Automation Engineer will maintain and optimize plant automation, electrical, and control systems to ensure safe and efficient manufacturing operations. They will lead root cause analysis investigations and collaborate with cross-functional teams to minimize downtime and improve equipment reliability.
Candidates must have 5-7+ years of experience in industrial manufacturing with expertise in PLC, SCADA, and process control systems. A relevant qualification in Electrical or Automation Engineering and current Electrical Registration are required.
Job Details
Benefits
Key Skills
Description
At Laminex, we're proud to be one of New Zealand's leading building products businesses. Backed by Fletcher Building, we manufacture trusted brands including Laminex, Formica, Melteca, Strandfloor, Lakepine MDF, and Caesarstone, supplying residential and commercial projects across New Zealand.We're looking for an experienced Automation Engineer to join our Hamilton manufacturing team in this newly created role. This role was established in response to continued growth and increasing production demand to strengthen our automation capability and support the ongoing performance of our manufacturing operation. You'll play a pivotal role in maximising plant reliability, improving automation systems, reducing downtime, enhancing operational efficiencies, and ensuring our plant continues to operate safely and at peak performance.
The OpportunityAs our Automation Engineer, you'll be responsible for maintaining and improving the site's automation, electrical, and control systems to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of plant equipment. Working closely with production, maintenance, and engineering teams, you'll identify opportunities to improve performance, reduce downtime, increase equipment reliability and support future growth initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain, troubleshoot, and optimise PLC, SCADA, instrumentation, and process control systems to ensure reliable plant performance.
- Diagnose and resolve automation faults, PLC program errors, sequence issues, and equipment breakdowns to minimise downtime and improve reliability.
- Lead root cause analysis (RCA) investigations and implement sustainable corrective actions to prevent recurring issues.
- Support preventative and predictive maintenance strategies, planned shutdowns, and automation-related maintenance activities to maximise plant availability.
- Contribute to automation upgrades, equipment installations, commissioning, and plant modification activities that enhance operational performance and efficiency.
- Maintain technical documentation, system backups, and compliance records while supporting maintenance planning and reliability improvement initiatives.
- Partner with production, maintenance, and engineering teams to identify improvement opportunities and deliver continuous improvement outcomes.
- Provide technical support to the Taupo site Automation Engineer as required, generally delivered remotely, including troubleshooting assistance, program reviews and backup on automation-related issues.
What You'll Bring
- 5-7+ years' experience in an industrial manufacturing environment with a strong focus on automation, process control, and plant reliability.
- Qualification in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related discipline, together with current Electrical Registration.
- Proven experience with Allen-Bradley and Siemens PLCs, including programming, troubleshooting, fault finding, and system optimisation.
- Strong knowledge of industrial automation, instrumentation, SCADA, HMI, and process control systems.
- Demonstrated ability to diagnose and resolve complex automation, control system, and equipment performance issues within a manufacturing environment.
- Strong root cause analysis (RCA), problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills, with a focus on reducing downtime and improving operational performance.
- A proactive approach to continuous improvement, preventative maintenance, and operational efficiency.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across production, maintenance, and engineering teams.
- A strong commitment to health, safety, and compliance within a manufacturing environment.
Why Join Laminex?Join a market-leading manufacturer backed by Fletcher Building, where you'll have the opportunity to make a real impact on the performance and reliability of a busy manufacturing operation. In return, you'll enjoy a competitive salary, ongoing professional development, a supportive team culture, and the stability of a well-established business, all while working regular Monday to Friday hours that support a healthy work-life balance.
Studies indicate that some females and minority groups may hesitate to apply unless they meet all the criteria. If this role interests you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every requirement.
Our teams thrive on diversity, embracing various nationalities, languages, religions, customs, and lifestyles. We are proud of our diversity and see it as one of the things that make us better together.
General Information
Job Type Permanent Category Manufacturing Business Laminex New Zealand Location Hamilton Job Reference 44879 Posted Date 27-Oct-2026 Closing Date 27-Nov-2026About Fletcher Building
Fletcher Building has proudly called New Zealand home since 1909, and today, we employ more than 9000 people across New Zealand, Australia, and the South Pacific. Our operations span the manufacture and distribution of building products across Australia and New Zealand, from insulation that helps keep homes warm and dry to cement, a fundamental building block of structures around the world. We also operate retail businesses that supply these products, and many more, to tradespeople across the Tasman. Beyond products and distribution, we build homes, create communities, improve productivity and contribute to the quality of life of people living and working in cities and regions across our markets. Fletcher Building is dual listed on the NZX and ASX and operates through four divisions – Light Building Products, Heavy Building Materials, Distribution, and Residential and Development. Across all of our operations we strive for excellence in efficiency, innovation, health and safety, and environmental performance.