Automation Engineer OT & IT at Volkswagen Group South Africa

Possible Tasks within this Role

• Take responsibility of the integrated automation systems (information & operational technology) within Paint shop.
• Optimise and maintain operational performance of both IT & OT systems. 
• Research and introduction of new future technologies in line with company policies and procedures.
• Collaborating with stakeholders internal & external to identify opportunities to solve problems through technological advancements and digitalisation.
• Analyzing manufacturing trends and technologies for implementation to improve key KPIs.
• Formulating and compiling detailed facility specifications to ensure the required facilities, machines, equipment and tools meet the required level of excellence.
• Provide knowledge and support to Paint Shop maintenance personnel during breakdowns (including after-hours).
• Initiate, implement and assist with continuous improvement by supporting the kaizen teams with knowledge and guidance regarding existing installations in the paint shop.
• Identify obsolete equipment, thereby finding new sustained solutions for implementation. 
• Constantly identify and drive processes towards to the company’s vision of a total digital factory by regular benchmarking of other VW plants.
• Manage and maintain programs for software based applications by creating scheduled checks.
• Manage and maintain backups & archiving of software and applications.
• Manage & ensure Shopfloor IT systems are updated with latest bug & security patches as per specified intervals.
• Perform programming & diagnostics on automation systems using engineering tools in order to reduce downtime or optimization activities.
• Implement, manage and maintain change management procedures using documented processes.
• Compile & maintain a complete IT & OT asset list of all Paint shop equipment utilizing manual & automatic processes to ensure good record keeping and compliance as per VW standards

Qualification requirements

• Have a National Diploma / Degree in Mechatronics / Electrical / Electronic Engineering

Experience needed

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in control system technologies or in the maintaining of shop floor IT.

Essentials

• Must be able to implement & maintain systems including the archiving and backing up of programs & applications.
• Excellent hardware and OS knowledge both on desktops PC’s & IPC’s.
• Good understanding of virtualized environments.
• Good understanding of network protocols and networking devices.
• Good understanding of the interfacing between the IT & the OT environments.
• Good understanding of SCADA systems, including IO servers and basic scripting.
• Good understanding of programming and perform fault finding on Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC’s).
• Ability to communicate effectively across departments and reporting levels.
• Strong analytical & administration skills.
• Perform standby duties after hours.
• Ability to work in a team