Automation Engineer

Monroe Consulting Group, an Executive Recruitment Firm, is partnering with an organisation within the Information Technology industry to hire an Industrial Automation Engineer. This opportunity is based in Malaysia.

Position Overview

The Industrial Automation Engineer is responsible for integrating plant-floor equipment, PLCs, machines, and sensors with edge computing and industrial connectivity platforms to enable reliable data collection and operational insights.
This role plays a critical part in bridging operational technology (OT) environments with enterprise platforms, supporting manufacturing visibility, asset monitoring, and data-driven decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Connect PLCs, CNCs, drives, meters and sensors to IPCs and edge gateways for continuous telemetry collection.
• Configure industrial communication protocols including Modbus RTU/TCP, Siemens S7, EtherNet/IP, OPC UA and Mitsubishi MC Protocol.
• Map PLC tags and registers into structured, well-documented data models for platform ingestion.
• Validate data quality at the source (sampling rates, units, scaling, timestamps) and resolve issues before go-live.
• Install, configure and maintain IPCs and edge gateways running Linux and containerised workloads (Docker).
• Set up data pipelines from the edge to cloud or on-premises systems using MQTT, OPC UA and gateway software (e.g. Kepware, Node-RED, Ignition Edge).
• Implement store-and-forward, buffering and monitoring solutions to ensure reliable telemetry through network interruptions.
• Standardise edge configurations and build reusable connector templates to accelerate future deployments.
• Conduct site surveys to assess equipment, PLC models, network layouts and data accessibility.
• Produce connectivity plans, I/O and tag lists, network diagrams and bills of materials for deployments.
• Carry out on-site installation activities, including panel work, cabling and 24VDC wiring where required, in accordance with plant safety procedures.
• Commission, test and hand over connectivity solutions with comprehensive documentation.
• Work with client IT and OT teams to establish network segmentation, VLANs, firewall rules and remote access requirements.
• Ensure deployments comply with client security policies and OT security best practices, including IEC 62443 principles.
• Troubleshoot connectivity, latency and data integrity issues across OT networks.
• Partner with deployment teams to ensure telemetry supports downstream use cases, including OEE, predictive maintenance, energy management and quality improvement initiatives.
• Provide field feedback to support product enhancements, including new protocols, equipment integration and connector requirements.
• Support pre-sales technical assessments and feasibility studies for prospective client engagements.
• Maintain deployment run books, connector documentation and internal knowledge repositories.

Key Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Instrumentation & Control Engineering, or a related field.
• 2-5 years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, system integration, or plant maintenance engineering.
• Hands-on experience with at least one major PLC platform, including Siemens, Mitsubishi, Omron, Allen-Bradley, or Schneider.
• Experience with SCADA, HMI, or historian systems such as WinCC, Ignition, AVEVA/Wonderware, or FactoryTalk.
• Prior experience with a system integrator, OEM, or manufacturing plant is advantageous.
• Background in AI, Data Science, or Machine Learning is advantageous but not mandatory.

• Solid understanding of industrial communication protocols, including Modbus, OPC UA, S7, and EtherNet/IP.
• Experience reading PLC programmes and locating relevant tags and registers.
• Experience integrating PLCs, CNCs, drives, sensors, and industrial equipment with edge computing platforms.
• Knowledge of IPCs, edge gateways, and industrial connectivity solutions.
• Proficiency in Linux command-line environments.
• Understanding of networking concepts including TCP/IP, subnets, VLANs, and remote troubleshooting.
• Ability to read electrical drawings and wiring diagrams.
• Experience working safely in live manufacturing and industrial environments.
• Familiarity with MQTT, Docker, Python, or Bash scripting is highly advantageous.
• Exposure to IIoT platforms, time-series databases, or cloud data pipelines is desirable.
• Experience in regulated or high-availability environments such as semiconductors, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, energy, or utilities is advantageous.
• Relevant certifications such as Siemens, Rockwell, CCNA, IEC 62443, or CompTIA certifications are advantageous.

• Professional working proficiency in English.
• Ability to produce clear technical documentation, including connectivity plans, network diagrams, and handover reports.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional technical, deployment, and client teams.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple deployment activities.
• Customer-focused approach with the ability to support both project delivery and pre-sales engagements.
• Strong interest in AI, Machine Learning, and the application of industrial data to support operational decision-making.