Automation Engineer Associate

Automation Engineer Associate

2027 Graduate Programme

Onsite Working

Tirlán

Tirlán, is a world-class food and nutrition co-operative, with a diverse portfolio of quality ingredients, leading consumer and agri brands.

Tirlán owns leading brands such as Avonmore, Kilmeaden Cheese, Millac, Solmiko, Truly Grass Fed, Premier Milk, Wexford, mymilkman.ie and GAIN Animal Nutrition.

We nurture a talented team across Ireland, the US, MEA and China, delivering annual revenues of over €3 billion, and over 2,300 people to manage our network of 11 processing plants and 52 agri branches. Our purpose is to nourish the world, while safeguarding our environment for future generations.

Role Profile

Our Graduate Programme is designed to take you through a series of real-world learning experiences, helping you build confidence in your abilities, and flourish in your career.

We are looking for people who care about the world and each other, who want to build their career with likeminded and passionate people. So if you want a career where you can truly make a difference, then we’d like to hear from you!

Tirlán is offering a unique opportunity for a graduate to join our Automation team as a Automation Associate. This role will be onsite.

Located at our Ballyragget facility, this role will report to the Central Automation Lead

This role provides hands-on experience across industrial automation, process control, manufacturing systems and digital technologies.

Working alongside experienced engineers, site teams and external partners, you will develop the practical and technical skills needed to build a career in automation within a modern manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Support troubleshooting and improvement of PLC, SCADA, MES and OT systems.

• Assist with automation hardware, software and system upgrades.

• Participate in automation projects from design through testing, commissioning and handover.

• Support FAT, SAT and commissioning activities.

• Help maintain technical documentation, system drawings and engineering records.

• Support manufacturing data collection, reporting and analysis.

• Contribute to continuous improvement, system reliability and process optimisation.

• Support OT cybersecurity, change management and engineering standards.

• Work with production, engineering, IT and external automation partners across manufacturing sites.

Requirements

• A recent or upcoming Level 8 graduate in a relevant discipline such as: Automation | Electrical | Electronic | Mechatronics | Control Systems | Manufacturing | Process or Computer Engineering

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

• An interest in automation and manufacturing technology.

• Good communication and teamwork skills.

• A willingness to learn and take on new challenges.

• The ability to work safely in an industrial environment.

• Flexibility to travel to manufacturing sites when required.

Experience with PLCs, SCADA, industrial networks, SQL, Excel or Power BI through college projects, placements or previous experience would be advantageous.

We offer

• 2 year structured graduate development programme
• Site or team rotations as part of the programme
• Year on year salary increment
• Free parking incl. EV charging – where applicable
• Bike to work scheme
• Work/life balance and collaborative work culture
• Career progression opportunities

About us

Through our expertise in research and development, customer insights, food safety and state-of-the-art manufacturing we bring innovative food and nutrition solutions to a global market. Our new and vibrant headquarters in Kilkenny City operates as a collaboration hub where multi-functional teams come together in a hybrid work environment.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
We believe in the value of difference. We know that different perspectives, life experience and backgrounds can drive innovation and deliver growth.

We welcome people from all walks of life without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, or disability status.

Join our Talent Pool

Considering a new career in Tirlán but this isn’t the role for you? Join our talent community and sign up for job notifications at www.tirlan.com/careers

Tirlán is a Values Based Organisation