Technical Operations Engineer – Electrical, Controls & Automation

BSE Australia is an established industrial electrical engineering, automation and systems integration contractor delivering projects, maintenance and technical services across manufacturing, processing, infrastructure and hazardous-area environments.

Our capabilities include industrial electrical contracting, PLC and SCADA systems, instrumentation, machine safety, hazardous-area engineering, control system design, commissioning, maintenance and complete project delivery.

As the business continues to grow, we are seeking an experienced Engineering professional to provide technical leadership, strengthen day-to-day operational delivery and help develop our engineering and project teams.

This is a broad, hands-on engineering position combining electrical and automation engineering, project delivery, client engagement, technical field support and operational coordination.

The engineering function will remain the priority. However, the successful applicant will also assist with project planning, resource coordination and technical operations where required.

You will work directly with the Managing Director, project managers, commercial manager, trades, technicians, clients and suppliers to take industrial projects from initial site investigation and proposal development through design, construction, commissioning and handover.

The position is suited to someone who enjoys technical variety, solving complex industrial problems and taking ownership of projects rather than working within a narrowly defined engineering function.

• Develop electrical, control, instrumentation and automation system designs.

• Prepare scopes of work, functional descriptions, control philosophies and technical specifications.

• Prepare fee proposals and tender submission.

• Design PLC, HMI, SCADA, industrial networking and control panel solutions.

• Prepare and review electrical schematics, single-line diagrams, I/O schedules, cable schedules, loop drawings and panel layouts.

• Select electrical, instrumentation, automation and communications equipment.

• Review existing plant systems and recommend practical upgrade or remediation strategies.

• Ensure designs comply with applicable Australian Standards, client specifications and industry requirements.

• Develop and modify PLC software using platforms such as Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell and Ignition SCADA.

• Develop HMI and SCADA applications.

• Configure industrial communication networks, managed switches, routers, VLANs and system interfaces.

• Integrate field instrumentation, variable-speed drives, safety systems and third-party equipment.

• Work with industrial protocols including Modbus TCP/RTU, EtherNet/IP, Profinet, OPC UA, BACnet and MQTT.

• Diagnose PLC, SCADA, networking, instrumentation and control system faults.

• Support system testing, FAT, SAT, commissioning and performance verification.

• Take ownership of assigned projects from initial enquiry through to completion.

• Attend client meetings and conduct site inspections.

• Develop project scopes, budgets, estimates and technical proposals.

• Coordinate engineering, procurement, installation, subcontractors and commissioning activities.

• Monitor project progress, variations, risks, costs and outstanding actions.

• Provide technical direction to electricians, technicians and apprentices.

• Coordinate with clients, suppliers and subcontractors to resolve technical and delivery issues.

• Prepare commissioning records, test documentation, operation manuals and handover packages.

• Provide technical support to BSE electricians and service technicians.

• Assist with troubleshooting industrial electrical, automation, PLC, SCADA and instrumentation faults.

• Review field information and help determine practical repair or upgrade solutions.

• Assist with planning labour, materials, access requirements and shutdown activities.

• Support the operational team when engineering workload permits.

• Support the business development function with technical input.

• Attend client meetings to identify plant issues, project opportunities and upgrade requirements.

• Assist with the preparation of tenders, proposals and budget estimates.

• Build strong, long-term relationships with industrial clients.

• Identify opportunities for improvements, additional works and ongoing technical support.

• Represent BSE professionally across client sites and industry environments.

You will be a practical and commercially aware engineer who is comfortable working across the office, workshop and client sites.

You will be capable of moving between detailed engineering work, site troubleshooting, client meetings, commissioning and project coordination.

You should have:

• At least five + years of relevant experience in industrial automation, controls, systems integration or electrical project engineering.

• A degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Software Engineering, Automation Engineering or a related discipline.

• Strong PLC programming experience using Siemens TIA Portal, Rockwell or similar platforms.

• Seasoned Experience developing PLC, HMI and SCADA systems.

• Knowledge of industrial instrumentation, VSDs, motor control and electrical control systems.

• Experience with industrial communication networks and protocols.

• The ability to read, develop and review electrical/mechanical and control system drawings.

• Experience with system testing, commissioning and fault finding.

• Strong written communication and technical documentation skills.

• The ability to scope work, prepare technical proposals and communicate directly with clients.

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

• A practical, accountable and solutions-focused approach.

• A current Australian driver’s licence.

• Australian citizenship or permanent residency.

• The ability to travel to client sites and occasionally work outside standard hours during shutdowns or commissioning activities.

• NSW electrical licence or electrical trade background.

• Experience within an industrial electrical contracting or systems integration business.

• Experience coordinating electricians, technicians or subcontractors.

• SQL, database integration or higher-level programming experience.

• Machine safety and safety PLC experience.

• Hazardous-area electrical or engineering experience.

• Experience with process control, Instrumentation, manufacturing, materials handling, food and beverage, chemical, batch plant, mining or heavy industry.

• Experience preparing estimates, tenders and project budgets.

• Knowledge of relevant standards, including AS/NZS 3000, AS/NZS 61439, AS/NZS 4024 and the AS/NZS 60079 series.

• Knowledge of machine learning, predictive maintenance, computer vision or industrial data analytics.

• Experience integrating AI-enabled systems with PLC, SCADA, databases or cloud platforms.

• Ability to identify practical AI opportunities that improve productivity, reliability or decision-making.

• A salary of $130,000 – $160,000 plus superannuation, and bonus incentives depending on experience

• A senior, influential position within a growing engineering business.

• Direct involvement in technical and operational decision-making.

• Exposure to a wide range of industrial clients, technologies and projects.

• The opportunity to take ownership of complete projects.

• A balance of engineering, client engagement and site-based work.

• Support to further develop expertise in automation, machine safety, hazardous areas and technical leadership.

• A genuine pathway into broader technical and operational leadership.

The role is based at our office in Smeaton Grange, NSW, with regular travel to client sites throughout Sydney and surrounding regions.

Occasional interstate travel, shutdown work and after-hours commissioning may be required.