Head of PLC & UI Controls, Process Automation (all genders)

Hünenberg | Position available on an 80–100% basis

Start: 01. 08. 2026 or as agreed

Your position

As Head of PLC & UI Controls, Process Automation, you will lead one of the key skill pools within RHI Magnesita Switzerland’s reshaped organization and play a central role in the ongoing transformation. Your team provides core competencies in automation software, PLC controls, user interfaces, and process automation across product development, customer-specific projects, and industrialization.

You combine technical leadership, people development, and transformation ownership, ensuring that the required capabilities, skills, tools, and standards are available and effectively deployed across projects, while continuously developing them.

Your skill pool acts as an enabler for product platforms, customer solutions, and the global ecosystem by delivering industrialized, well-documented automation solutions that can be reliably reproduced by internal and external partners.

Your tasks

• Planning, prioritizing and coordinating work packages to ensure transparency on capacity, priorities and deliverables


• Leading, developing and managing performance of a team of approximately five employees, including regular feedback, development and growth


• Supporting the team operationally where needed, while maintaining focus on leadership, capability building and continuous improvement


• Owning automation standards, system architectures, skills, tools and engineering methods within your scope


• Driving the development and standardization of PLC software, UI concepts and process automation solutions with focus on modularity, standard interfaces and scalability


• Contributing technical content to product and operating manuals and supporting product maintenance, lifecycle activities and sales-related technical clarification


• Ensuring automation solutions meet requirements for safety, reliability, maintainability, reproducibility and industrial readiness, including prototype validation through to series readiness


• Collaborating closely with adjacent skill pools, Product Management, Ecosystem Management, Supply Chain, Operations and Go-to-Market teams

Your profile

• Degree in automation, electrical engineering, software engineering, mechanical engineering, robotics or a comparable technical field


• Proven leadership experience in a technical or engineering environment


• Relevant professional experience in an industrial environment, preferably in machinery, plant engineering, automation or heavy industry


• Solid knowledge of PLC programming, industrial controls, UI/HMI concepts and software-based automation solutions


• Strong understanding of system integration, machine safety, commissioning and industrial product development


• Experience in translating customer and product requirements into robust, maintainable and scalable technical solutions


• Structured working style with the ability to plan, prioritize and coordinate multiple tasks and stakeholders, combined with strong communication skills and cross-functional collaboration


• Clear commitment to transformation, standardization, modular platforms and continuous improvement; willingness to travel up to 25%

Languages: German – fluent, English – fluent

Nice to have: Further education in leadership, project management, automation, robotics or software development; experience with SAP/ERP or engineering data management; knowledge of safety, CE and quality standards; experience with OEMs or external partners; familiarity with modular architectures and stage-gate processes

Our offer

We offer a competitive salary package that reflects your qualifications and experience and aligns with current market values.

Flexibility: Possibility of mobile working, and flexible, trust-based working hours, 6 weeks holiday per year

Mobility: Free parking and excellent public transport connections

Team spirit: A wide range of team events (e.g. team-building events, joint lunches, company events)

Working environment: Modern and ergonomic workstations, technologically well-equipped test workshop

Plus: Bonus programme, excellent social benefits as well as internal and external further training encouraged and required

In addition to these local benefits for Hünenberg we also offer you many global benefits.

Do you want to take the next step?

Please apply online in English, as applications by e-mail cannot be considered for data protection reasons. Here you can find all the details about our application process.

At RHI Magnesita, everyone is welcome! We embrace diversity in all forms and evaluate applications solely based on qualifications and experience. If you share our passion for shaping tomorrow’s world, we’d love to hear from you, even if you don’t meet all the requirements. We also actively encourage individuals with disabilities to submit their application.

Do you have more questions?

Klaudia Vegmaher

(People Engagement, Employer Branding & DEI Professional - Europe & CIS)

E-Mail: [email protected]

Phone: +386 51 265 511

About RHI Magnesita

As the global leader in refractories, we supply advanced products, technologies and services essential for high-temperature industrial processes in sectors such as steel, cement, and glass. With around 20,000 employees and production sites across the globe, we are committed to fostering innovation, sustainability, and market leadership. By leading the industry in reducing emissions and supporting our customers' transitions to greener solutions, we are shaping tomorrow’s world.

Find out more here:

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