PLC Supervisor

About the Role

As a PLC Supervisor, you will be responsible for overseeing the installation, testing, commissioning, and optimisation of PLC and industrial control systems across project delivery and operational environments. This role leads site automation activities, manages subcontractors and technicians, ensures compliance with project specifications and safety standards, and supports successful system integration and commissioning.

The PLC Supervisor plays a critical role in delivering reliable automation outcomes aligned with project program, quality expectations, and operational performance.  providing civil engineering support and operating the EPB Tunnel Boring Machine on the River Torrens to Darlington (T2D) project on this key civil engineering project.  

The T2D project involves the construction of a 10.5-kilometre motorway, with three lanes in each direction and including tunnel sections, linking the River Torrens area in the north to Darlington in the south of Adelaide.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise PLC technicians, electricians, and automation subcontractors on site. 
• Coordinate daily automation activities in alignment with construction and commissioning schedules.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to site personnel.
• Drive a strong safety culture consistent with project and organisational requirements.
• Oversee installation, configuration, and commissioning of PLC systems and control networks.
• Ensure PLC programming aligns with functional descriptions, control philosophies, and client requirements.
• Support integration between PLC, SCADA, HMI, instrumentation, and field devices.
• Review control system documentation including I/O lists, cause & effect matrices, and FAT/SAT procedures.
• Plan and execute PLC testing, loop checks, and system commissioning activities.
• Coordinate Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and Site Acceptance Tests (SAT).
• Identify and resolve automation and control system faults.
• Support staged commissioning and operational handover.
• Interface with Electrical, Mechanical, and Engineering teams to resolve site issues.
• Monitor subcontractor performance, productivity, and compliance.
• Contribute to look-ahead planning and progress reporting.
• Manage defects, punch lists, and commissioning close-out activities.
• Ensure works comply with WHS legislation, electrical standards, and project procedures.
• Participate in risk assessments, SWMS reviews, and permit processes.
• Maintain quality assurance documentation and inspection records.
• Promote safe isolation, lock-out/tag-out, and commissioning safety practices.
• Maintain accurate commissioning records and system documentation.
• Support development of operating manuals and handover packages.
• Provide regular status updates to project leadership.

Qualification & Experience

• Trade qualification or Engineering qualification in Electrical, Automation, Mechatronics, or related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience supervising PLC or automation works on construction, infrastructure, industrial, or manufacturing projects.
• Ability to interpret electrical drawings, control schematics, and functional descriptions.­
• Experience with major PLC platforms (e.g., Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Schneider, ABB).
• SCADA/HMI integration experience.