Automation & Controls Engineer

About Veolia

Veolia Australia & New Zealand is the only global company to provide a full range of environmental services in the fields of water, waste management and energy solutions. With the global expertise gained from serving the environment for more than 170 years, Veolia operates in more than 57 countries around the world, with well over a hundred sites and approximately 6500 employees in Australia & New Zealand.

Veolia is a global leader in environmental services, committed to ecological transformation through sustainable water and waste management solutions. We're dedicated to delivering operational excellence while upholding the principles of Te Mana o Te Wai—respecting water as a taonga (treasure) for our communities and environment.

The Opportunity

Veolia NZ is seeking an experienced Automation and Controls Engineer to join our team at the Moa Point Sludge Minimisation Facility (SMF) in Wellington. This is a unique opportunity to play a critical role in commissioning and operating a state-of-the-art facility while maintaining and optimizing complex automation and control systems.

You'll combine hands-on technical expertise with a strong safety focus to ensure reliable plant performance, working across cutting-edge SCADA, PLC, and instrumentation systems in a wastewater treatment environment.

What's on offer

• Competitive salary
• A great team focused working environment
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Stable employment with a reputable, world leading, 3 waters Network focused organisation
• Meaningful work that contributes to the well-being of our community and keeps the cogs of society turning.
• Employee assistance programs (EAP) through assure which covers mental health, nutrition, financial, legal, coaching and career transition support

What you'll be responsible for

Commissioning Support

• Provide intensive hands-on engineering support during the SMF commissioning phase
• Conduct comprehensive testing and fine-tuning of automation/control systems under real operating conditions
• Manage simultaneous operation of new SMF systems and existing legacy systems during integration
• Ensure seamless transition between existing operations and new control systems
• Document all commissioning activities, system adjustments, and performance data
• Collaborate with construction contractors and commissioning teams to resolve technical issues
• Support development and validation of control system operating procedures

Technical Operations

• Provide specialist advice and support across the SMF
• Scope and oversee calibration and repair of instrumentation/control systems
• Diagnose and resolve automation/control system faults
• Optimize equipment settings and support process engineers in operating envelope development
• Steward calibration records and ensure instruments remain compliant
• Use remote monitoring tools to troubleshoot and control issues

Maintenance Management

• Support, scope, and oversee planned and reactive maintenance activities
• Support development of maintenance procedures, SOPs, and risk assessments
• Maintain high reliability of control systems
• Maintain accurate CMMS records
• Monitor contractor works on site

Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to projects and plant upgrades
• Review and optimize maintenance procedures
• Report technical non-compliances and improvement opportunities
• Coordinate with operations and maintenance teams
• Provide technical training to operations and maintenance staff

Safety and Compliance

• Drive compliance with contractual obligations, resource consent requirements, and H&S/environmental regulations
• Promote positive safety behaviors and develop a proactive safety culture
• Participate in safety audits and risk assessments
• Report and investigate safety/environmental hazards, near misses, and incidents
• Contribute to Health and Safety, Quality Assurance, and Environmental Management Systems
• Comply with Veolia's Occupational Health and Safety and Environmental Policy Statements
• Participate in toolbox and H&S meetings

What you'll need to be successful

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• Tertiary level qualification in Electrical, Instrumentation, Controls Engineering, or associated discipline
• Demonstrable understanding of electrical, SCADA, and PLC design and/or operations
• Proven experience in industrial automation and control systems
• Experience with SCADA, PLC, and instrumentation maintenance
• Experience with wastewater treatment processes
• Proven problem-solving skills with documented methodologies
• Experience with CMMS systems
• Preferably experience in a wastewater-based environment

Desirable Experience

• Demonstrated experience with anaerobic digestion and thermal drying processes
• Basic understanding of ISO45001, ISO9001, ISO14001, ISO50001, and/or ISO55001

Key Skills & Attributes

• Strong technical and problem-solving abilities
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Meticulous attention to detail in documentation
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment
• Strong team player with collaborative mindset
• Safety-focused mindset with proactive approach
• Self-starter with ability to work autonomously
• Positive can-do attitude
• Ability to organize resources, establish priorities, and meet deadlines
• Understanding of operational requirements and resource consent compliance
• Ability to develop strong working relationships with clients and contractors
• Aptitude for both office and field work
• Motivation, enthusiasm, and commitment to customer service

Why Veolia?

At Veolia Australia and New Zealand, you'll join a team of over 6500 passionate innovators... and good humans. Our environmental solutions help customers preserve and renew our natural resources, creating a better future for our planet. Here, you'll have the opportunity to build your career, and resource the world.
If you can tick most of the boxes and are keen to contribute to Veolia's ecological transformation, then hit the apply button now!

THIS STEP IS IMPORTANT
To apply for this vacancy you MUST be a New Zealand citizen, resident, or have already secured the right to work in New Zealand and therefore hold a valid visa.

Fairness, Diversity & Inclusion

At Veolia we value diversity, equality and inclusion, we are committed to providing working environments where everyone is included and treated fairly and with respect. We welcome applications from Maori and Pasifika, Veterans, people with disability, mature age and early careers, members of the LGBTI+ community and people from all cultural backgrounds.