Automation Engineer

Element Six (E6), is a global leader in the design, development and production of synthetic diamond and tungsten carbide supermaterials. Part of the De Beers Group, our primary manufacturing sites are located in UK, Ireland, Germany, South Africa and the US. 

Our mission 
We put our customers first. Using our technological expertise and industrial leadership we deliver innovative solutions to achieve competitive advantage. 

Our vision 
With access to the most sophisticated R&D technology and the best minds in the business, the future is full of possibilities… 

Employment Equity & Inclusion and Diversity 
We are committed to fostering a vibrant workplace culture that is inclusive and embraces our diversity, where we value and respect every colleague for who they are and provide equality of opportunity so that everyone can fulfil their potential, and thrive. 

You can find out more about who we are and what we do on our website:  
e6.com/en/about/corporate-information 

As an Automation Engineer at Element Six you will be supporting the equipment and management reporting systems of the production facility. You will be a key member of the local team, but also part of a group-wide structure supporting projects at other facilities. You will take an active role in the early specification of equipment to ensure that the reliability, redundancy and system integration are correct from the onset. 

A key aspect of this role is staying up to date with the latest technologies to ensure Element Six remains ahead of the competition. By having the right information, in the right format, at the right time, we empower our teams to make informed decisions as early and effectively as possible.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain software for PLC-based control systems.

• Integrate machines and equipment with plant-wide systems and infrastructure.

• Design, implement, and maintain data logging and historian systems for process monitoring.

• Provide technical support for site control systems and automation infrastructure.

• Support the deployment and integration of manufacturing execution systems (MES).

• Ensure all system documentation is accurate, current, and well-organized.

• Collaborate with on-site maintenance teams to provide technical guidance and troubleshooting support.

• Manage external contractors during system installations, upgrades, and validations.

• Lead and contribute to automation and control system projects, including planning, execution, and reporting.

Required skills and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electronic, Automation, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 1 year of hands-on experience in industrial control systems.
• Proven experience in programming and troubleshooting Siemens or equivalent PLC platforms.
• Familiarity with the specification, design, and monitoring of OEM control systems.
• Strong capability in designing, engineering, testing, and debugging control systems.
• Ability to work independently while effectively leveraging available resources.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable skills and experience

• Hands-on experience with Siemens TIA Portal and Step 7 for PLC programming and system configuration.
• Solid understanding of OPC server technologies, such as Kepware, for industrial data communication.
• Familiarity with relational databases and the ability to write and optimize SQL queries (e.g., Oracle, DB2, SQL Server).