Automation Engineer

About Maaden

Maaden, founded in 1997, is among the world’s fastest-expanding mining companies and the largest diversified mining and metals business in the Middle East. The company is driving the growth of Saudi Arabia’s mining sector with the aim of making it the country’s third main economic pillar through a fully integrated, world-class mining value chain.

This opening is an opportunity to support that growth journey and contribute to the future of mining in the Kingdom.

Role Overview

Job title: Automation Engineer (Control Systems Engineer)

Business unit/function: Aluminum BU

Work location: Ras Al Khair, Saudi Arabia

Working hours: 8 hours

Employment type: Full-time

Job post period: 21 Jun 2026 to 10 Jul 2026

Job Purpose

The role is focused on improving equipment automation and control performance to increase machine availability and material flow. The engineer will assess equipment capability, identify possible control-system failure points, and implement the most effective control strategies using Maaden-approved control logic and concepts. The position is responsible for monitoring, maintaining, and updating process control systems so that equipment and processes operate safely, reliably, and cost-effectively.

Process Control System Support

The selected candidate will provide support across automation and control systems, including diagnostics, documentation review, PLC programming interpretation, and recovery procedures.

• Use diagnostic instrumentation knowledge to troubleshoot issues.
• Read and interpret P&ID drawings, single-line diagrams, network diagrams, and instrument drawings.
• Work with variable speed drives, including network-connected VSDs.
• Understand motion control systems and industrial robots.
• Interpret IP-connected instruments and related control architecture.
• Review PLC ladder logic, function block, and structured text programming.
• Understand and apply functional description specifications.
• Analyze historical data from multiple sources and use advanced analysis tools.
• Follow disaster recovery procedures to restore process control devices and data.
• Be available to support plant operations across different shift groups.

Process Control System Networks

• Work with different plant control network environments.
• Understand industrial Ethernet topologies.
• Recognize device-level ring configurations.
• Support serial communication protocols.
• Troubleshoot and diagnose process control networks.
• Remove and replace network components when required.

Failure Mode and Reliability Analysis

• Help identify ways to eliminate recurring and high-impact equipment failures.
• Support root cause analysis for equipment breakdowns and recommend corrective actions.
• Assist with or facilitate FMEA for critical equipment by identifying failure modes and related remedies.
• Develop recommendations from failure data to increase MTBF and reduce MTTR.

Environment, Health and Safety

• Support the creation of a safe, healthy, and environmentally responsible workplace by checking that equipment design, installation, and maintenance meet required standards and regulations.
• Carry out integrity inspections of systems and equipment.
• Support EH&S programs and coordinate with contractors and vendors to ensure compliance with EH&S policies, procedures, and standards.

Projects and Cross-Functional Support

Take part in equipment change projects, including reliability, maintenance, or capital initiatives, and contribute as an asset owner representative during design and EH&S reviews.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, or Mechatronics.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience, either as a Process Engineer or a Technical Expert.
• Strong understanding of the safety requirements involved in working with molten metal control systems.
• Clear working knowledge of Rockwell Automation ControlLogix PLC platforms.
• Clear working knowledge of Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk View SE and ME applications.
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team.
• Self-driven and motivated approach to work.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational capability.
• Comfort using Excel, Word, Outlook, and Oracle.
• Working knowledge of industrial statistics and statistical process control.

High-Performance Behaviours

• Strong focus on EHS.
• Ownership and commitment to outcomes.
• Effective communication.
• Creative thinking and initiative.
• Sound judgment and strong analytical ability.
• Continuous learning mindset.
• Drive for change and improvement.
• Confidence in decision-making.
• Ability to develop and coach others.
• Customer focus.
• Results and profit orientation.