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Principal Automation Engineer - Job Opportunity at kevell Corp

Cork, Ireland
Full-time
Senior
Posted: May 26, 2025
On-site
EUR 85,000 - EUR 110,000 annually. This estimate reflects the senior level of the position, Ireland's competitive technology market, and the specialized nature of automation engineering. The role's responsibility for multi-million euro projects and team leadership justifies the upper end of this range.

Benefits

Opportunity to lead multi-million euro automation projects that provide significant career advancement and portfolio building
Technical leadership role offering mentorship experience and team management skills development
Exposure to cutting-edge automation technologies including PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems enhancing technical expertise
International project exposure with vendor and supplier coordination across global markets
Professional development through complex system integration challenges in manufacturing environments

Key Responsibilities

Drive technical excellence in multi-million euro automation projects, establishing strategic technical direction that directly impacts company revenue and market position
Lead and mentor technical engineering teams, developing organizational capability and ensuring knowledge transfer across complex automation initiatives
Design and architect sophisticated automation systems integrating hardware, software, and networking components that transform manufacturing operations
Establish technical strategies and implementation roadmaps that align with business objectives and drive competitive advantage
Manage critical stakeholder relationships with customers, vendors, and internal teams, influencing technical decisions at executive levels
Ensure regulatory compliance and quality standards across automation systems, mitigating operational and legal risks
Oversee project delivery timelines and budgets for large-scale automation initiatives, directly contributing to profitability and client satisfaction

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or relevant engineering background. Master's degree in engineering or related field is preferred.

Experience

Minimum 8+ years of experience in automation engineering, including experience with PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems

Required Skills

Strong technical skills, including experience with automation hardware and software Strong leadership skills, including experience with team management and leadership Experience with automation project management, including experience with project planning, scheduling, and budgeting Excellent communication skills, including experience with technical writing and presentation Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience with root cause analysis and troubleshooting

Certifications

Certified Automation Professional (CAP) certification is preferred
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The automation engineering sector is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by Industry 4.0 initiatives, with companies investing heavily in smart manufacturing technologies to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs. This trend is particularly strong in Ireland, which has positioned itself as a European hub for advanced manufacturing and technology companies. There is a significant skills shortage in automation engineering across Europe, with demand for experienced professionals far exceeding supply. This shortage is driving up compensation packages and creating excellent career advancement opportunities for qualified candidates. Integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning with traditional automation systems is becoming standard practice, requiring engineers to expand their skill sets beyond traditional PLC and SCADA programming to include data analytics and predictive maintenance capabilities.

Role Significance

Typically manages teams of 5-12 technical engineers across multiple concurrent projects, with responsibility for both direct reports and matrix management of cross-functional team members including vendors and suppliers.
This is a senior technical leadership position that sits at the intersection of engineering excellence and business strategy. The role carries significant responsibility for technical decision-making, team development, and project success, positioning the incumbent as a key technical authority within the organization.

Key Projects

Multi-million euro manufacturing automation system implementations spanning 12-24 months Legacy system modernization projects involving integration of new automation technologies with existing manufacturing infrastructure Greenfield facility automation design and implementation for new manufacturing operations Regulatory compliance upgrades ensuring adherence to evolving ISO, FDA, and CE marking requirements

Success Factors

Exceptional technical depth combined with strong business acumen to translate complex technical requirements into strategic business outcomes Proven ability to manage multiple stakeholder relationships while maintaining technical excellence and project delivery commitments Advanced project management capabilities with demonstrated success in managing large budgets and complex timelines Strong mentorship and team development skills to build organizational capability and ensure knowledge retention Adaptability to emerging technologies and regulatory changes in the rapidly evolving automation landscape

Market Demand

Very High - The combination of Industry 4.0 adoption, manufacturing reshoring trends, and Ireland's growing position as a European technology hub creates exceptional demand for senior automation engineers with project leadership experience.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

PLC, HMI, and SCADA programming expertise forms the technical foundation for all automation projects and directly impacts system performance, reliability, and maintainability Project management skills are essential given the multi-million euro scale of projects and the complex coordination required across technical teams, vendors, and stakeholders Leadership and mentorship capabilities are crucial for team development and ensuring organizational capability growth in a competitive talent market Regulatory compliance knowledge is critical for ensuring project success and avoiding costly compliance failures in highly regulated manufacturing environments

Beneficial Skills

Digital transformation and Industry 4.0 technologies including IoT integration, data analytics, and cloud connectivity will become increasingly important as clients modernize their operations Business development and client relationship management skills will enhance career progression toward executive roles and increase value to the organization Emerging automation technologies such as collaborative robotics, artificial intelligence integration, and predictive maintenance systems will differentiate candidates in the evolving market Cross-cultural communication and international project management experience will be valuable given Ireland's position in the global technology market

Unique Aspects

The role combines hands-on technical work with strategic leadership, offering unusual depth in both technical execution and business impact
Responsibility for multi-million euro projects provides exposure to high-stakes decision-making and executive-level stakeholder management
The position offers comprehensive exposure to the entire automation project lifecycle, from initial design through implementation and compliance verification
Ireland's position as a European technology hub provides unique opportunities for international project exposure and career development

Career Growth

Typical progression to executive-level positions occurs within 3-7 years, depending on company growth, individual performance, and market opportunities. The current role provides excellent preparation for senior leadership through its combination of technical leadership, project management, and stakeholder management experience.

Potential Next Roles

Director of Engineering or VP of Technology roles within 3-5 years, leading larger technical organizations and setting technology strategy Chief Technology Officer positions in medium-sized manufacturing or automation companies Principal Consultant or Partner roles in specialized automation consulting firms General Manager or Operations Director roles combining technical expertise with broader business responsibility

Company Overview

kevell Corp

kevell Corp appears to be a specialized engineering company focused on automation solutions for manufacturing clients. The company operates in the high-value automation systems market, handling multi-million euro projects that suggest a strong market position and established client relationships.

Based on the scale of projects mentioned and the seniority of this role, kevell Corp likely operates as a mid-tier automation solutions provider with sufficient market presence to secure significant contracts and maintain a specialized technical team.
The Cork location positions the company well within Ireland's growing technology and manufacturing sector, with access to both local talent and European markets. Ireland's favorable business environment and EU market access provide strategic advantages for automation companies.
The role structure suggests a collaborative, technically-focused culture that values both individual expertise and team development. The emphasis on mentorship and technical leadership indicates an organization committed to professional growth and knowledge sharing.
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