Engineer - Automation مهندس - الأتمتة

Brief Posting Description
The Engineer – Automation is responsible for supporting the maintenance, reliability, availability, and performance optimization of automation, process control, and industrial digital systems across the Copper Concentrator Plant. The role supports the safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation of Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), SCADA systems, Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), industrial communication networks, historians, servers, workstations, and associated automation infrastructure through maintenance execution, troubleshooting, cybersecurity compliance, shutdown support, commissioning activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
The position provides technical support to maintenance teams and contractors and is responsible for maintaining automation and control systems associated with the Primary Crusher, Apron Feeders, Conveyors, Ore Stockpile Stacking & Reclaiming Systems, SAG Mill, Ball Mills, HIG Mill, Flotation Plant, Thickeners, Concentrate Filtration Plant, Slurry Pumps, Process Water Systems, Tailings Systems, and associated plant infrastructure.
The role works closely with Operations, Reliability, Mechanical Maintenance, Electrical, Instrumentation, and Project teams to achieve production, safety, reliability, and asset performance objectives while ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and asset management standards.
Detailed Description
AUTOMATION & CONTROL SYSTEM MANAGEMENT
Support maintenance activities for automation, process control, and industrial digital systems across the concentrator plant.
Ensure automation systems support safe, reliable, and efficient plant operation.
Assist in implementing maintenance strategies to improve system reliability and availability.
Monitor automation system performance and recommend corrective actions.
Ensure compliance with OEM recommendations, engineering standards, and statutory requirements.
Support asset lifecycle management and replacement planning activities.
Provide technical support for automation maintenance planning, scheduling, and execution.
Support commissioning, startup, and operational readiness activities.
DCS, PLC & SCADA SYSTEMS
Support reliability improvement initiatives for DCS, PLC, SCADA, HMI, historian, and control system infrastructure.
Assist with automation system configuration, maintenance, and performance optimization.
Troubleshoot control logic, process interlocks, alarms, permissives, and control loops.
Support backup, restore, and disaster recovery activities.
Assist with software version control and change management processes.
Support testing and verification of DCS, PLC, and SCADA modifications.
Maintain automation documentation, logic diagrams, and system records.
MOC & CHANGE GOVERNANCE
Support implementation of approved Management of Change (MOC) requirements for automation modifications and software changes.
Assist in reviewing proposed changes to DCS, PLC, SCADA, HMI, historian, control logic, alarms, interlocks, and associated automation infrastructure.
Participate in risk assessments, testing, validation, and documentation activities associated with approved changes.
Coordinate with Operations, Instrumentation, Electrical, Reliability, and Projects teams during implementation activities.
Support FAT, SAT, simulation testing, commissioning, and post-implementation verification activities.
Ensure technical documentation remains updated following approved modifications.
Participate in post-change reviews and verification activities.
PROCESS CONTROL & OPTIMIZATION
Support process control and automation improvement initiatives.
Analyze process performance and identify opportunities for control-loop optimization.
Assist with control-loop tuning and performance monitoring.
Support initiatives aimed at improving throughput, recovery, plant stability, and energy efficiency.
Support implementation of advanced process control technologies and digital solutions.
Work closely with Operations and Metallurgical teams to optimize plant performance
IT/OT CYBERSECURITY INTERFACE
Support implementation of cybersecurity requirements for DCS, PLC, SCADA, HMI, historians, servers, workstations, and industrial communication networks.
Assist with user access management, backup verification, patching activities, and cybersecurity compliance requirements.
Participate in cybersecurity audits, vulnerability assessments, and incident investigations as required.
Support cybersecurity-related upgrades and remediation activities.
Ensure automation activities comply with approved OT cybersecurity policies and procedures.
Maintain coordination between IT, OT Cybersecurity, Automation, Instrumentation, Electrical, Operations, and Project teams.
INDUSTRIAL NETWORKS & CYBERSECURITY
Maintain industrial Ethernet, fiber-optic communication networks, fieldbus systems, and associated automation infrastructure.
Monitor communication system health and reliability.
Support implementation of industrial cybersecurity standards and policies.
Assist with user access controls, backups, system security, and patch management activities.
Participate in cybersecurity audits and assessments.
Support implementation of automation system upgrades and cybersecurity improvements.
MAINTENANCE PLANNING & EXECUTION
Support development of maintenance plans for automation assets.
Assist with preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
Coordinate automation activities for planned and corrective maintenance work.
Ensure work orders are properly executed, documented, and closed in SAP PM.
Maintain maintenance records and equipment history.
Monitor maintenance backlog and support prioritization of critical automation activities.
SHUTDOWN & TURNAROUND SUPPORT
Support preparation and execution of automation shutdown activities.
Assist in developing shutdown work scopes and schedules.
Coordinate field activities during shutdown execution.
Monitor progress and report deviations from planned schedules.
Support post-shutdown reviews and lessons learned activities.
ASSET INTEGRITY MANAGEMENT
Support integrity management programs for automation and control system assets.
Review system health reports and recommend corrective actions.
Participate in risk assessments and asset criticality evaluations.
Support predictive maintenance and performance monitoring programs.
Assist in lifecycle management and asset replacement planning activities.
Support compliance with asset management standards and engineering requirements.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT & TROUBLESHOOTING
Provide technical support for automation and process control system failures.
Troubleshoot control logic, communication systems, alarm management, and process control issues.
Review automation diagnostics and performance reports.
Support implementation of automation upgrades and modifications.
Review OEM technical recommendations and documentation.
Support FAT, SAT, commissioning, testing, and startup of automation systems.
COST CONTROL & BUDGET SUPPORT
Support monitoring of automation maintenance costs.
Assist in spare parts optimization and inventory control.
Participate in technical evaluations for procurement activities.
Support vendor evaluations and contract scope reviews.
Identify opportunities for cost reduction and maintenance optimization.
Assist in maintaining records supporting budget performance reporting.
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
Support initiatives to improve control system reliability, process stability, and plant performance.
Identify opportunities to reduce downtime and maintenance costs.
Participate in reliability and maintenance improvement initiatives.
Support implementation of automation best practices and lessons learned.
Track and report benefits realized from improvement initiatives.
SAFETY, HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT & QUALITY
Ensure compliance with company HSE policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
Adhere to approved plant safety standards and work procedures.
Participate in risk assessments, incident investigations, and hazard identification programs.
Support maintenance and testing of Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS), critical alarms, trips, and interlocks.
Ensure compliance with automation standards, cybersecurity requirements, quality requirements, and engineering procedures.
Support achievement of zero-harm and operational excellence objectives.

Job Requirements
Education:
• Bachelor's Degree in Automation Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, Electrical & Automation Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Instrumentation & Control Engineering, or related discipline is mandatory.
Experience:
• Bachelor’s Degree with 5+ years of experience in a Copper Concentrator Plant or related process plant with similar type of equipment is mandatory.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in Automation maintenance and reliability engineering is mandatory.
• Experience supporting DCS, PLC, SCADA, and industrial communication systems in mineral processing or heavy industry.
Certifications: Candidates holding or pursuing any of the following certifications will have an added advantage:
• ISA Certified Automation Professional (CAP)
• Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP)
• ISA Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST)
• Six Sigma (BB)
Technical Skills:
• Experience with DCS platforms such as ABB 800xA, Siemens PCS7, Honeywell Experion, Yokogawa Centum, Emerson DeltaV, or equivalent systems
• Experience with PLC systems including Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Schneider Electric, ABB, and associated programming environments.
• Experience with SCADA, HMI, Historian, industrial communication networks, and OT infrastructure.
• Knowledge of industrial Ethernet, Profibus, Profinet, Modbus, OPC, Foundation Fieldbus, and related communication protocols.
• Experience supporting concentrator assets including Primary Crusher, Conveyors, Ore Stockpile Stacking & Reclaiming Systems, SAG Mill, Ball Mills, HIG Mill, Flotation Plant, Thickeners, Concentrate Filtration Plant, Slurry Pumps, and utility systems.
• Knowledge of process control, alarm management, SIS systems, OT cybersecurity, and reliability engineering principles.
• Working knowledge of SAP PM, CMMS/ERP systems, RCFA, and FMEA methodologies.
Soft Skills:
• Fluency in English, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent negotiation and influencing abilities.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• High ethical standards and commercial integrity.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Strong decision-making and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and perform under pressure