Controls Support Engineer

Job Title: PLC Specialist

Job Description

Are you our upcoming technical service expert? Do you like to take an extra step, analyze the root cause of a failed component, and provide solutions for the cause?

Vanderlande understands the complexities associated with successful airport and parcel operations and delivers future-proof logistic process automation. These automation systems are composed of many (electro-) mechanical, IT, and controls components that require expert knowledge to support.

As a Controls Support Engineer, you have a strong affinity with Operational Technology (OT) software like PLCs and PC-based controllers and the electromechanical components they control, such as conveyors, sorters, and shuttles.

As a Controls Support Engineer, you will analyze and assist in servicing baggage handling system controls software. You are responsible for helping the operation and maintenance team find and resolve system issues, researching solutions, and proposing changes to the system. You will have frequent contacts with customers, internal organizations, and suppliers.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the primary customer contact, providing clear communication and ownership, and advising on actions to minimize downtime.
• Analyze and troubleshoot system issues systematically, developing, modifying, and maintaining PLC programs for baggage handling system control.
• Perform routine maintenance, diagnostics, and monitoring of control systems, promptly responding to anomalies, alarms, and faults.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate control systems with other components, and evaluate and implement system upgrades.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations, maintaining accurate records of PLC programs, configurations, and maintenance activities.
• Provide training and guidance to maintenance and operational staff, and be available for on-call duty for critical system failures outside regular working hours.
• Configure component-level devices, perform and document PLC/SCADA commissioning testing, and prepare relevant documentation such as checklists, test plans, and functional specifications.
• Lead project execution, onsite configuration, commissioning, and testing, monitoring the quality of controls deliverables and driving continuous improvement actions, including night work as required.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Automation, Instrumentation, Manufacturing, or a related field of study.
• Preferably, you have a good understanding of IT service management practices (ITIL v3/v4).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in PLC programming and control systems within the baggage handling or airport industry.
• Experience with Siemens controls programming, software, and hardware.
• Proficiency in PLC programming languages (Ladder Logic, Structured Text, etc.).
• Basic knowledge of OT software development and maintenance.
• Strong knowledge of control system hardware, including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, etc.
• Familiarity with relevant industry standards and safety regulations.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment.
• Experience dealing with software version control.
• Strong knowledge of PLC and SCADA systems.
• Working experience with the Siemens S7 series platform is a must.
• Experience in electrical controls hardware design and communication networks.
• Good communication skills in English.
• Assertive team player and proactive.
• Willingness to work in a 24/7 operational environment and be on-call as needed.