Automation Engineer
Automation Engineer
- Gisborne | ?? Full-time, permanent (45 hours per week)
- Salary: $100,000 – $120,000 + benefits
LeaderBrand is a proudly New Zealand-owned horticultural business, growing fresh produce from garden gate to dinner plate. We’re looking for a hands-on Automation Engineer to join our Fresh Cut Engineering team in Gisborne and support reliable, efficient Salad House operations.
This is an industrial, on-the-floor role where you’ll troubleshoot, maintain, and improve automation systems directly in a live production environment.
The role
Reporting to the Process Engineering Manager, you’ll work closely with production and engineering teams to support PLC, SCADA, and automation systems, respond to issues as they arise, and contribute to continuous improvement across the site.
Key responsibilities
Program, maintain, and troubleshoot PLC and SCADA (Ignition) systemsDiagnose automation and control system faults on the plant floor
Design and improve HMI interfaces and control logic
Support plant reliability through automation fault-finding and optimisation
Assist with planned maintenance and continuous improvement activities
Maintain accurate system documentation and records
Work collaboratively with production and engineering teams
Follow GMP, HACCP, and Health & Safety requirements
What you’ll bring
Essential:
Minimum 3 years’ experience in automation engineering or industrial control systemsRelevant qualification and/or demonstrated experience in automation or ICS
Strong PLC and SCADA experience (Ignition preferred)
Practical, hands-on troubleshooting ability in an industrial environment
Good communication and problem-solving skills
Preferred:
Experience with additional programming languages (e.g. Python, Java, C++)Food manufacturing or processing experience