Requirements: English
Company: Vivid Resourcing
Region: Sint-Niklaas , Flanders
AUTOMATION ENGINEER - ST. NIKLAAS (BELGIUM) - PERMANENT POSITION
Job Summary:
We are looking for a highly skilled and passionate Automation Engineer to join our renewable energy division and play a vital role in advancing the automation and control of clean energy systems.
In this role, you will be responsible for designing, programming, and optimizing automation systems that control critical components of renewable energy plants, including solar PV arrays, wind turbines, energy storage systems, and grid interconnections.
Your expertise will ensure that renewable energy assets operate safely, efficiently, and reliably by implementing advanced control strategies, integrating complex instrumentation, and enabling real-time monitoring through SCADA systems.
You will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams including electrical engineers, software developers, and field technicians to deliver end-to-end automation solutionsfrom system design and commissioning to ongoing performance optimization and maintenance.
This position provides a unique opportunity to contribute directly to the global energy transition by helping maximize renewable energy generation and grid stability through smart automation technologies.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop, program, and maintain PLC-based automation systems for renewable energy equipment such as solar inverters, wind turbine controllers, and battery management systems.
- Design and configure SCADA systems for real-time monitoring, data acquisition, and control of renewable energy plants.
- Implement control algorithms and logic to optimize energy generation, storage, and grid integration.
- Collaborate with electrical, mechanical, and software engineering teams to integrate automation solutions seamlessly.
- Conduct system testing, commissioning, and validation to ensure compliance with design specifications and safety standards.
- Troubleshoot automation and control system issues, analyze root causes, and implement corrective actions.
- Develop technical documentation, including control narratives, wiring diagrams, and user manuals.
- Support remote monitoring and predictive maintenance efforts through automation enhancements.
- Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
- Stay up-to-date with emerging automation technologies and renewable energy trends.
Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
- 2+ years of experience in industrial automation, preferably in renewable energy or power generation.
- Proficiency with PLC programming languages (IEC 61131-3 standard: Ladder Logic, Function Block, Structured Text).
- Experience with SCADA/HMI platforms (e.g., Wonderware, Ignition, Siemens WinCC).
- Strong understanding of electrical systems, instrumentation, and control theory.
- Knowledge of communication protocols (Modbus, Profibus, DNP3, OPC).
- Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and P&IDs.
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Good communication and teamwork skills.
The Offer:
- A permanent, full-time employment contract
- A salary & benefits package commensurate with experience
Please send over your CV to tom.walker@vividresourcing.com or call me on +32 (0) 3 318 00 74. As always, we are open to recommendations, so please feel free to pass this on to other suitable candidates.