Global Project Engineer Automation

Are you an Automation Engineer looking to contribute to major industrial projects and help shape the future of manufacturing on an international scale? Based in Lembeke, Belgium, you will join the Group Engineering team of a leading international food manufacturer recognised for its strong growth, technological expertise and significant investment in its global production capabilities. Following major investments in new production facilities and the continued expansion of its industrial footprint, the Group is pursuing the development of its manufacturing network worldwide. As Global Project Engineer Automation, you will contribute to this ambition by delivering automation projects across both new production facilities and existing plants. You will help deploy advanced technologies, optimise production performance and develop consistent automation standards across the Group. Combining technical expertise, project management and international collaboration, this role offers the opportunity to take ownership of projects throughout their lifecycle, from initial concept and budgeting through to implementation, commissioning and aftercare.

Your responsibilities

1. Lead automation projects from concept to commissioning

• Lead and/or execute automation engineering projects in collaboration with local engineering, maintenance and production teams.
• Manage the full project lifecycle, from requirements definition and concept development to budgeting, tendering, detailed engineering, implementation, commissioning and aftercare.
• Contribute to major CAPEX investments, including new production facilities and greenfield projects, as well as the modernisation and revamping of existing production lines.
• Coordinate external engineering partners, suppliers and technical specialists when required.
• Ensure projects meet agreed technical specifications, quality standards, budgets and timelines.
• Identify potential technical challenges and work with relevant stakeholders to develop practical, reliable solutions.

2. Support an international manufacturing network

Based in Lembeke, you will work with production sites in Belgium, the United States, Thailand and South Africa, collaborating with local Engineering, Maintenance, Production and Operations teams.

• Understand site-specific requirements and translate them into robust, efficient automation solutions.
• Support the integration and deployment of automation systems across different production environments.
• Coordinate with local teams to ensure that project solutions meet operational needs and can be effectively implemented on site.
• Share technical expertise, lessons learned and best practices across the Group’s international network.
• Travel internationally when required to support project execution, installation and commissioning.

3. Develop automation expertise and standards at Group level

As part of the Group Engineering team, you will contribute to strengthening the organisation’s automation capabilities and ensuring a consistent approach across its production network.

• Act as a technical sparring partner for plant teams, suppliers and external specialists.
• Provide technical guidance on complex automation topics and equipment integration.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of Group-wide automation standards, guidelines and working procedures.
• Promote structured project management practices and the consistent application of technical standards.
• Help ensure that automation solutions are reliable, maintainable and aligned with the Group’s long-term industrial development.

4. Explore new technologies and drive continuous improvement

• Stay up to date with developments in industrial automation, digitalisation, Industry 4.0, food manufacturing technology and packaging equipment.
• Identify opportunities to improve production performance, equipment reliability, flexibility and maintainability.
• Evaluate new technologies and assess their practical application within the Group’s manufacturing environment.
• Contribute to the selection and implementation of innovative automation solutions.
• Document and share technical knowledge, lessons learned and best practices with the Group Engineering team and local technical departments.

Your profile

You hold a Master’s degree in Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electromechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline, combined with 3 to 10 years of experience in industrial automation.

You combine strong technical knowledge with a structured, hands-on approach to project delivery and the ability to work effectively with different stakeholders across an international organisation.

Your experience and skills include:

• Experience in industrial manufacturing, ideally in a production environment.
• Strong knowledge of PLCs and industrial automation systems, with hands-on experience with Rockwell and/or Siemens PLCs.
• Familiarity with HMI, SCADA and industrial control systems.
• Experience managing or contributing to CAPEX projects, equipment integration, new installations or production-line revamping.
• A good understanding of the interfaces between automation, electrical, mechanical and production systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex technical challenges into clear, practical solutions.
• An interest in new technologies, digitalisation and continuous improvement.
• A structured and hands-on approach, combined with the ability to work autonomously and take ownership of projects.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across different functions, sites and cultures.
• Professional fluency in Dutch & English; additional languages are an asset.
• Willingness to travel internationally in line with project requirements.

What the role offers

• International project exposure: contribute to significant automation projects across production sites in several countries.
• Major industrial investments: work on both new production facilities and the modernisation of existing manufacturing operations.
• End-to-end project ownership: be involved in all stages of projects, from initial concept and budgeting through to commissioning and aftercare.
• Technological challenges: work with modern industrial automation systems and contribute to the deployment of advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Impact at Group level: help develop automation expertise, standards and best practices across an international production network.
• Autonomy and responsibility: take ownership of technical projects while collaborating with experienced engineering and operational teams.
• Continuous development: broaden your expertise through exposure to different production environments, technologies and engineering challenges.
• An international industrial environment: be based in Lembeke while contributing to the continued development of a growing global manufacturer.

Robert Walters Belgium is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.