Controls Support Engineer

Job description

Job Title Controls Support Engineer Job Description Controls Support Engineer – Baggage Handling System (BHS) Job purpose statement • Mid to high level technical expert for PLC and Low-Level Control (LLC) infrastructure of the Baggage Handling System. • Ensure reliable operation, maintenance, troubleshooting and optimization of PLC-controlled BHS equipment and associated control systems. • Provide technical support for PLCs, field devices, safety systems control interfaces control-related faults, modifications, testing, and performance issues. • Support the Maintenance Manager in maintaining system availability, reliability and contractual service requirements. • Act as a technical focal point for PLC/control-related faults, modifications, testing, and performance issues. • Support continuous improvement and professionalization of site-based BHS control and maintenance services. Scope • First-line and advanced technical support for BHS Low-Level Controls, PLC systems, remote I/O, industrial networks, drives, scanners, sensors and associated field equipment. • Diagnosis, analysis and restoration of PLC/control incidents affecting BHS operations. • Technical support for preventive, corrective, breakdown and emergency maintenance activities related to BHS controls. • Coordination of technical incidents with Senior Controls Support Engineer, Maintenance Manager, OEM specialists and Global Service Desk when required. • Monitor PLC/control-system health, communication status, alarms, recurring faults and overall performance. • Support contingency procedures, recovery trials, shutdown/start-up activities and crisis recovery exercises. Qualification and abilities • Bachelor’s degree / Diploma in Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation, Automation, Mechatronics, Control Engineering or equivalent technical qualification. • Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in PLC/automation system and preferably 5 years of experience in Baggage Handling Systems. • Strong practical knowledge of PLC programming, diagnostics and troubleshooting; Siemens S7 / TIA Portal experience is preferred. • Strong knowledge of Low-Level Controls (LLC), control panels, remote I/O systems, industrial field devices and control architecture. • Good knowledge of industrial communication networks such as PROFINET, PROFIBUS, Ethernet/IP and Modbus TCP/IP. • Experience with VFDs, motor control, encoders, sensors, scanners, photoelectric devices and safety-related equipment. • Ability to read and understand electrical drawings, control schematics, network diagrams, I/O lists, functional descriptions and PLC logic. • Knowledge of SCADA/HMI systems and their interface with PLC-controlled equipment. • Basic understanding of server/client architecture, networking, virtualization and IT infrastructure associated with BHS controls is preferred. • Good English verbal and written communication skills and ability to work independently within multidisciplinary teams. • Good understanding of safe working practices, permit-to-work requirements and electrical/control-system safety procedures. Responsibilities • Diagnose PLC, control-system, communication and field-device faults and restore equipment within agreed response and resolution targets. • Perform Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for recurring or critical BHS control-system failures and recommend permanent corrective actions. • Troubleshoot PLC hardware/software, I/O modules, communication interfaces, industrial networks, drives, sensors, actuators and safety circuits. • Monitor PLC alarms, diagnostic buffers, communication faults, system logs and equipment status to identify potential failures. • Perform PLC backup, program verification, comparison, restoration and controlled software modifications as authorized. • Ensure PLC program changes and configuration modifications follow approved change-management procedures. • Support preventive maintenance and health checks of PLC panels, control cabinets, industrial network devices, remote I/O and related equipment. • Support breakdown, corrective and emergency maintenance during operational disruptions. • Coordinate technical incidents with Controls Support Engineer, IT Engineer, OEM and Global Service Desk where higher-level support is required. • Support testing and validation of contingency modes, recovery procedures, failover scenarios and operational recovery plans. • Maintain updated backups of PLC programs, configurations, parameters, network settings and related technical documentation. • Provide technical guidance and on-the-job support to maintenance technicians regarding PLC/control troubleshooting. • Ensure compliance with site safety, cybersecurity, configuration-management and maintenance procedures. • Identify opportunities to improve system reliability, availability, maintainability and operational performance. List of key activities • Execution of daily PLC and control-system maintenance activities. • Daily/weekly inspections and health checks of PLC and LLC systems. • Review PLC diagnostics, communication status, alarms and system performance. • Troubleshooting and fault-finding during BHS equipment failures. • Attend and resolve PLC-related breakdown calls. • Check PLC-to-PLC, PLC-to-SCADA/HMI and PLC-to-field-device communication. • Perform PLC program backups and configuration verification as per approved schedules. • Support preventive and corrective maintenance of control panels and field devices. • Support replacement/configuration of PLC CPUs, communication modules, I/O modules, network switches, drives and associated equipment. • Participate in planned shutdowns, system restart activities, testing, commissioning and operational trials. • Support major incident coordination and provide timely technical updates to relevant stakeholders. • Participate in RCA and preparation of corrective/preventive action plans. • Monitor repeated faults and identify opportunities for permanent technical improvements. • Coordinate with Operations, IT, Maintenance, OEM specialists and Global Service Desk. • Maintain PLC-related maintenance records, fault reports, backup records and change documentation. • Contribute to weekly, monthly and quarterly reports covering system failures, recurring faults, availability and improvement activities. • Support training and knowledge transfer to maintenance technicians and other site personnel. Work pattern Differentiator • Advanced troubleshooting capability for complex PLC and Low-Level Control faults affecting BHS availability. • Ability to understand the complete control chain from PLC logic through industrial networks to field devices and mechanical equipment. • Ability to identify root causes of repetitive faults rather than only restoring equipment temporarily. • Effective coordination between Controls, IT, Operations, Maintenance, OEM and client teams. • Development and implementation of improvements in PLC programs, diagnostics, maintenance methods, tools and system reliability. • Strong focus on preventive actions, lifecycle management and continuous improvement.