Automation Operations Specialist, APAC

Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world's well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands.

Reliability Engineering and Automation Systems

The Reliability Engineering (RE) team is responsible for the performance, resilience, and operational health of critical infrastructure across Vantage's global data centre portfolio. Our mission is to maximise uptime, optimise maintainability, and ensure readiness across all facilities.

Within RE, the Automation Operations function ensures the operational automation platforms - BMS, PLCs, DDCs, and SCADA systems - are reliable, cyber-resilient, and supportable to Vantage global standards. These systems are critical to monitoring, controlling, and protecting the live environment, and require skilled oversight to maintain optimal performance.

Position Description

The Automation Specialist is responsible for supporting and optimising automation platforms at live data centre sites across the APAC region. This includes day-to-day operational support, incident response, system enhancements, and minor design review input for upcoming sites to ensure operational requirements are met before go-live.

The role involves fault-finding, tuning, and maintaining multiple automation platforms - particularly the SCADA platform - while also ensuring PLCs, DDCs, and associated networks are secure and performing reliably. The Automation Specialist works closely with Site Operations to provide real-time support during events, including out-of-hours incident response, and collaborates with the wider Reliability Engineering team to deliver automation improvements and standardization initiatives.

Essential Job Functions

• Provide operational support for live site automation systems, including BMS, PLC, DDC, and SCADA platforms.
• Respond to site incidents - both during business hours and on-call after hours - providing technical fault-finding and resolution.
• Troubleshoot and resolve control system, network, and integration issues in mission-critical environments.
• Perform system health checks, tuning, and optimization to ensure peak performance and reliability.
• Maintain accurate system documentation, network diagrams, and configuration records.
• Support cyber-resilience measures, including patching, access control, and network security for automation platforms.
• Provide operational input into design reviews for new sites, focusing on automation functionality, maintainability, and standard alignment.
• Work with Site Operations to identify and deliver automation system improvements that enhance reliability and operational efficiency.
• Provide training and guidance to Site Operations staff on automation system functionality and basic fault diagnosis.
• Liaise with vendors and service providers to manage maintenance, repairs, and technical escalations.
• Assist in aligning automation systems with Vantage's global standards and best practices.

Duties

• Monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot automation networks and field devices.
• Manage changes and updates to automation systems in accordance with change management processes.
• Review system logs, alarms, and trends to proactively identify and address issues.
• Support upgrades, migrations, and integrations of automation systems with minimal operational impact.
• Test and validate system changes to confirm operational stability.
• Review automation system designs for new sites, providing feedback on operational suitability and global standards compliance.
• Collaborate with Reliability Engineering peers to share knowledge, lessons learned, and optimisation strategies.
• Coordinate vendor activities on site and verify the quality of work delivered.
• Ensure system backups and disaster recovery processes are in place and functional.
   

Job Requirements

• 5+ years' experience in automation systems support, ideally in mission-critical or industrial environments.
• Strong experience with SCADA systems—Ignition platform highly desirable.
• Hands-on experience with PLCs and DDCs.
• Experience with multiple control and automation platforms advantageous.
• Basic networking knowledge (IP addressing, VLANs, switches) essential.
• Solid troubleshooting skills across automation software, hardware, and network layers.
• Ability to respond to site incidents and provide out-of-hours support.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills across technical and operational teams.
• Detail-oriented, with strong documentation and record-keeping habits.
• Ability to travel within the APAC region as required.
   

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in data centre, utilities, or other mission-critical facilities.
• Understanding of HVAC, electrical, and mechanical plant control systems.
• Familiarity with cyber security practices in industrial control environments.
• Experience with automation system upgrades and migration projects.
• Vendor and contractor management experience.

We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other's strengths and respecting each other's weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations.

Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community.

Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values.

Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers.