Automation Engineer - Production Process Optimization, Fish Processing

We are looking for a solution oriented Automation Engineer with strong technical skills and a practical mindset, who thrives in dynamic, real-world production environments to drive meaningful improvements in automation and process control across our European production network, with a primary focus in Poland and Portugal.

You will play a key role in designing, integrating, and optimizing automation systems that boost productivity, reduce manual labor, and ensure consistent product quality. Working directly with plant management, maintenance, engineering, and lean teams to identify automation opportunities, manage and implement improvement projects, and provide expert support across multiple sites. You will identify automation opportunities and transform them into real, measurable results-combining technical precision with strong operational impact.

The role reports to the Managing Director, European Plants and can be based in either Gniewino, Poland or Peniche, Portugal, with regular travel across multiple European factories as needed.

Your Responsibilities:

• Identify opportunities for automation and process optimization within production.
• Design, implement, and oversee automation and control systems.
• Deploy and maintain sensors, troubleshoot equipment issues, and ensure smooth daily operations.
• Collaborate closely with plant managers, technical teams, and the wider Thai Union Manufacturing Business Unit to standardize automation solutions.
• Act as a bridge between both sites, sharing best practices and supporting group-wide initiatives.
• Participate in continuous improvement projects to optimize plant performance and operational efficiency.
• Ensure all automation solutions comply with safety, quality, and regulatory standards.

Why Choose Us?

• Global Industry Leader: Be part of a globally recognized organization known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability.
• Our Values: At Thai Union, we uphold a culture defined by passion, humility, and respect. Our team is driven by a responsible, collaborative, and innovative approach, ensuring that our work contributes to meaningful change in the seafood industry.
• Collaborative Environment: Work in a supportive, cross-functional team culture that values collaboration and excellence.
• Career Development and Support: We prioritize your professional growth and satisfaction. Our commitment to understanding your unique career aspirations means providing tailored opportunities and a supportive environment to help you thrive and achieve your goals.

About You:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in production automation or industrial controls, preferably in the food industry or high-volume manufacturing.
• Proficient in PLC programming (e.g., Siemens), SCADA systems, and industrial sensor integration.
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills in live production environments.
• Experience with data acquisition, predictive maintenance tools, or Industry 4.0 is an advantage.
• Experience in managing or contributing to international projects is an added advantage.
• Fluent in English. Additional languages such as German or French would be an advantage.
• Willingness to travel regularly between Portugal, Poland, and other European sites.
• We are open to candidates with equivalent experience or transferrable skills who meet the key technical and operational demands of the role.

About Us:

ESIP S.A. part of Thai Union Group, a global leader, the largest canned seafood producer in the world plays a dominant role both as own global brand portfolio as well as through its Private Label (OEM) producer that includes Chicken of the Sea, John West, Petit Navire, Parmentier, Mareblu, King Oscar, Rugen Rish, SELECT, Fisho and Qfresh etc. Thai Union Group is committed to realizing its "Healthy Living, Healthy Oceans" vision. With a focus on health and wellbeing across us, we take our responsibility to sustainable fishing and the marine environment seriously - in 2016 Thai Union launched SeaChange - our strategy for looking after the oceans and managing our waste, our responsibility to our people working around the globe and the communities we work with. We set ourselves and our peers some challenging targets to be more sustainable and we're making great progress.

Our values drive how we approach our work and engage with our people and customers. These values are to be passionate, humble, respectful, responsible, collaborative and innovative. We do great work, the right way, in challenging times, but we have a strong team that gets the job done. Our people are full of positivity, resilience, fortitude and humour.

We are committed to creating an inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and recognized for who they are. This is a critical component of our success. Each of our employees adds value to the company regardless of gender, education, religion, origin, nationality, disability or age.

What we can offer you

• A competitive compensation package, aligned with local market conditions (Poland or Portugal)
• Performance-based bonus
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression within an international group
• An open, collaborative, and supportive work environment focused on innovation and continuous improvement
• The chance to work on cross-site, international projects as part of Thai Union's European operations

Next Steps

If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a flexible, collaborative setting, we'd love to hear from you!

We will review your application and if we think you meet the criteria of the role, we will reach out.

You will have a call with one of our recruitment team and then if we move to the next stage, we will set up an interview with your potential new manager either face to face or via Teams. Final stage interviews are usually face to face.

Thai Union is committed to providing equality of opportunity. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application, please let us know.