Automation & Digitalization Engineer

Everything we do at Neste serves one purpose: to create a healthier planet for our children. Over the past ten years, Neste’s transformation journey has taken the company from a local oil refining company to becoming a global leader in renewable and circular solutions. 

Our purpose pushes us forward to search for new ways to reduce the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere, and to innovate circular solutions to reuse carbon again and again. Are you going to help us combat climate change? 

Neste Netherlands is part of the Finnish parent company Neste. The Sluiskil refinery focuses on pretreatment of raw materials (waste & residue streams) to make them suitable for further catalytic conversion. Everyday, we are working together to operate, maintain and improve the plant in a safe and efficient manner. 

We are looking for an Automation & Digitalization Engineer to join the Sluiskil team. 

Your part in Neste journey 

The Automation & Digitalization Engineer is responsible for ensuring the reliability, performance and continuous improvement of the site’s process automation, digitalization and data-driven systems. The role supports the operations, maintenance and engineering department by delivering technical expertise on automation platforms, driving digital solutions, enabling data visibility and coordinating interfaces with internal and external partners. The position ensures that relevant process deviations are managed quickly and effectively, while contributing to system upgrades, lifecycle management, and long-term improvement planning.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Continuous improvement of the (visualization of the) control philosophy in close collaboration with the operations department

• Quickly assess, diagnose, and mitigate automation issues impacting production. Lead or support corrective actions and follow-up.

• Take ownership of automation related work orders, ensuring accurate documentation, prioritization and timely follow-up and closure.

• Develop the maintenance strategy for the relevant systems in close collaboration with the maintenance department

• Take ownership in automation related capital or improvement projects, from concept to commissioning. Contribute to improvement initiatives, including system upgrades, testing, integration, and commissioning.

• Ensure alignment of automation and digitalization activities with internal and external stakeholders 

• Serve as the main point of contact for automation, IT and OT partners such as technology providers

• Develop multi-year lifecycle and replacement plans for the relevant systems, including end-of-life assessment

Other responsibilities are:

• Take ownership in several digitalization and data visualization initiatives

• Make sure that lifecycle documentation and control philosophies are up to date

• Train the Sluiskil organisation in relevant system updates

• Transfer process control knowledge to internal stakeholders

• Actively participate in several process hazard and safety reviews

Our work combines accountability, cooperation, and the desire to develop and renew. Working safely at all times is essential to all of us.

Keys to success in this role

The best combination of experiences, skills and background is: 

• HBO/HTS-TU (higher professional education or technical university) work and thinking level with relevant industry experience 

• Experience and knowledge of advanced and conventional process control techniques and several process technologies

• Experience in designing independently and clearly specifying control strategies

• Good communication skills for communicating at various levels, from management level to operational level

• Flexible attitude and ability to handle changes related to the innovative nature of our business

• Interested in learning and developing new applications and skills

• Willingness to work together

• A high safety, health, environmental and quality awareness

• Ability to speak and write in Dutch and English. 

What can you expect in return? 

• Competitive salary and excellent benefits.

• A work environment where people Care, Cooperate and have Courage.

• A company that cares for your work-life balance by offering a variable amount of holidays. 

• A permanent contract.

• Healthcare allowance.

Our success is based on our people who are the driving force behind Neste’s transformation to become a global leader in renewable and circular solutions. The passion that we have for creating a healthier planet for our children is what makes us unique. We believe everyone is a leader and share a natural desire for collaboration. Our three values “We care, We have courage and We cooperate” are embedded in our everyday work. Working safely and responsibly at all times is essential to all of us.

If this resonates with you, we look forward to receiving your application.

Join us in creating a healthier planet for our children

If you have any questions regarding the process or the position, please get in touch with our corporate recruiter Jaron Pouwelse on jaron.pouwelse@partners.neste.com

Our success begins with you.

Every company needs a purpose, and Neste has a strong one: to create a healthier planet for our children. Everything that we do, down to the smallest detail, shows our clear commitment to tackling the challenges of climate change. As an employer, understanding and valuing wellbeing is vital for our success. At the same time, we encourage every individual at Neste to contribute towards creating a positive impact on the environment as well as on the people, communities and societies around us.Neste’s strategy is called ‘’Faster, Bolder and Together’. It reflects the understanding that there is no time to lose in combating climate change or helping to tackle the waste plastic challenge. In order to succeed, we need to act, innovate new solutions and deliver them faster and bolder than ever before – together. As innovation is in our DNA, we are empowered to develop pioneering solutions to make businesses more sustainable. 

For more information, please visit neste.com.