Lead Automation Engineer

Mattr•Calgary, AB

2d•CA$94,000 - CA$118,000•Hybrid

About The Position

As a Lead Automation Engineer, you will take ownership of designing, building, and delivering automation solutions that directly impact plant operations and manufacturing performance. This role plays a critical part in advancing automation capabilities across new builds and existing systems while partnering closely with operations, engineering, and plant teams. You will lead projects end-to-end—driving design decisions, developing solutions, and ensuring successful commissioning—while helping Mattr strengthen its internal automation expertise, including future robotics capabilities.

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of experience in automation, controls, or related engineering roles
Strong PLC programming experience, including ladder logic and structured text, with the ability to both modify and build systems from scratch
Proven experience designing and commissioning machines or automation systems in a plant or field environment
Experience with machine design, automation systems, and BOM creation
Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in manufacturing or industrial environments
Ability to lead projects and work independently while coordinating across multiple stakeholders
Strong communication skills in English and ability to collaborate effectively with plant teams

Nice To Haves

Engineering degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant hands-on experience
Experience in manufacturing or industrial environments, with an understanding of plant operations and workflows
Experience with SCADA systems and dashboard development
Familiarity with HMI systems
Exposure to robotics or interest in expanding automation capabilities in this area
Interest or experience in data automation

Responsibilities

Lead the design and execution of automation projects, taking ownership from concept through commissioning and startup
Develop and modify PLC programs, including building solutions from scratch and adapting existing machine frameworks
Design automation systems for new builds, including machine design, system architecture, and BOM creation
Drive commissioning efforts at plant sites and ensure successful installation and startup of equipment (travel up to 25%)
Diagnose and resolve technical issues through strong troubleshooting and problem-solving capabilities
Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Plant Managers, R&D/Product Engineering, and Sales to define requirements and deliver solutions
Partner with millwright teams and engineers to build and implement automation systems in plant environments
Lead project execution activities, including delegating tasks and guiding project teams without direct reports
Contribute to SCADA/dashboard development to support plant visibility and decision-making
Support continuous improvement initiatives and explore opportunities for data automation and robotics integration