Automation Engineer

As an Automation Engineer, you own the strategy, specification, and delivery of end-of-line automation (palletizing/depalletizing, case packing, labeling, material movement) using robots, cobots, and AGVs. Act as the internal subject ‑ matter expert and program lead, partnering with plants, HSE, Quality, Maintenance, IT/OT, Finance, and external system integrators. 

You establish automation standards, ensure safe and compliant deployments in food environments, and build the roadmap for subsequent automation initiatives. 

• Lead development and implementation of robotics and automation strategies across sites to improve throughput, OEE, and cost-to-serve
• Own end-to-end delivery of automation projects: define business cases, gather requirements, author URS/FRS, evaluate technologies/vendors, plan and track execution, FAT/SAT, commissioning, and ramp-up
• Identify and prioritize new automation use cases (i.e., robotic palletizing/depalletizing, case packing, pick-and-place, labeling, end-of-line inspection, AGVs/AMRs for intralogistics).
• Select and integrate industrial robots/cobots with conveyors, sensors, PLCs, HMIs, safety systems, and vision
• Define and enforce automation and controls standards: PLC/robot programming conventions, HMI templates, safety category/PL, electrical/mechanical design, cybersecurity for OT, and documentation.
• Lead vendor and system integrator management: RFIs/RFPs, technical evaluation, commercial negotiation with Procurement, contract scope, and performance KPIs.
• Ensure food-industry compliance: sanitation-friendly design, hygienic zoning, allergen/traceability considerations, washdown requirements (IP ratings, materials), and validation with QA/HSE.
• Develop project plans, budgets, risk registers, and timelines; monitor progress and drive issue resolution to meet safety, quality, schedule, and cost targets.
• Coordinate cross-functional FAT/SAT, IQ/OQ where required, operator training, maintenance handover, and change control.
• Champion continuous improvement and standardization; build a reusable automation playbook and template cells for replication.
• Track and report benefits realization (labor reallocation, throughput, scrap/yield, safety, ergonomics), and inform future capital planning.
• Support plants with complex troubleshooting, OT network topics, and controls/robotics escalations.

• You obtained a higher education f.e. Master’s in Mechatronics, Electrical/Controls, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Automation, or related field.
• You have a minimum of 5 years experience in industrial automation with leading robotics/cobots/AGV deployments in high-throughput manufacturing; multi-site or systems integrator experience preferred.
• Demonstrated delivery of end-of-line systems (robotic palletizing, case packing, conveyance, labeling) and intralogistics (AGVs/AMRs). Hands-on with PLCs (e.g. Siemens), robot programming (Fanuc/ABB/KUKA/UR/Yaskawa/Staubli), safety systems, and industrial networking (EtherNet/IP, PROFINET). You have experience with vision systems, barcode/labeling, weigh price labelers, and QA checks in food environments is a plus.
• You master strong project management skills: scope, schedule, budget, risk, stakeholder communication; PMP or equivalent a plus. You have proven vendor/SI selection and management; ability to write URS/FRS and conduct technical/Commercial evaluations.
• You have knowledge of functional safety, machine guarding, risk assessment (ISO 12100), CE compliance, and validation practices. You obtain over a data-driven mindset; experience with OEE, MTBF/MTTR, and using analytics to drive performance. You have excellent communication and change leadership skills; ability to influence at all levels and train plant teams.
• You are willing to travel between all sites within the Group (Belgium and The Netherlands) on a frequent basis. 

• An inspiring work environment: 
  As a market leader in the Benelux for service slicing, salami, and poultry, we create, pack, and deliver top-quality meat products. Always fresh, always full of flavor, with innovation as our driving force.
   
• A warm welcome in a family-oriented, informal atmosphere:
  At DeliBarn, we value an open and informal company culture. Your colleagues are ready to welcome you with open arms and share their experience, creating a warm environment where you feel right at home.
   
• Focus on your future with support and growth opportunities:
  You will have plenty of room to grow and develop new skills. Experienced colleagues will guide you, and together we will work on your professional development. Do you like taking initiative? Then you’ve come to the right place.
   
• A place in our team of passionate Food Lovers:
  At DeliBarn, we make products people love. In our mission to shape a flavorful future, we strive to create a wide range of meat products that connect people, cultures, and traditions.
   
• An attractive salary package with additional tasty benefits.