What does a KNAPP commissioning engineer do?

Those who travel have stories to tell, as they say… This is also true for our colleagues in Commissioning. They work at customer installations sites around the world and put our innovative technologies into operation. No two days are the same. They get to know different countries and cultures and are constantly on the move. This is what makes the job so diverse and interesting.

In this article, we give you an insight into the day-to-day work of a commissioning engineer and tell you more about the areas of work and tasks.

We develop and manufacture intelligent warehouse systems using the latest solutions in digitalization, software, automation and robotics. In order for our warehouse systems to work, they have to be put into operation. This is where commissioning engineers come into play. They breathe life into the systems with the right software and ensure that all systems work.

The tasks include

• Commissioning of our systems
• Repairs
• Maintenance
• Quality assurance
• Training and instruction of operating personnel

Watch the video (in German only) to get an idea of what our commissioning engineers do. Follow our colleague Patrick to a customer installation site in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and learn how their career as a commissioning engineer at KNAPP began and what they like most about their job.

• Software & IT
  Commissioning engineers in the Software & IT department install, configure and test the software of our customers’ systems on site. During the start-up phase, they also support our customers with further tests and training.

• PLC & automation technology
  Commissioning engineers in the field of PLC & automation technology are on the road a lot and mostly on-site with our customers. They create PLC programs and install and test the automated system control on site.

• Retrofit
  In the retrofit area, commissioning engineers bring technically outdated customer systems up to date so that they can continue to be used sustainably. In this way, they make existing technology fit for tomorrow.

• Control technology
  Commissioning engineers in the field of control technology are responsible for modern technologies such as image recognition and robotics. They install, configure and test customers’ systems and assist with troubleshooting during the start-up phase.

A minimum salary of EUR 2,875 gross per month applies to career starters. However, we offer a salary in line with the market depending on your qualifications and previous experience. Assignments abroad also represent an attractive additional income. You will also receive a monthly allowance of up to € 1,250 net and bonuses of up to € 1,250 gross, depending on the amount of travel.

We asked our colleague Norbert Liebhart, Head of Commissioning at KNAPP in Hart bei Graz, what makes working as a commissioning engineer such an exciting travel adventure and what opportunities it offers for development in the company.

What are the perspectives for commissioning engineers in our company, not only with regard to career opportunities but also in terms of work-life balance?

As a commissioning engineer, you travel to our installation sites across the globe, become acquainted with other cultures and countries, and get to know our various technologies. Our commissioning engineers work in customer projects around the world: from Europe to South America and the US, from South Africa to Australia.

Despite all the traveling, we try to adapt the work-life balance to the individual job and employee. For example, the job often includes work at the customer’s site for several weeks in a row. However, these periods alternate with periods during which the employee spends several weeks in Austria. In fact, this is what makes the job so appealing. You also have many career prospects in all areas of the company. We offer different types of specialist careers in technical areas, but it’s also possible to gain a foothold in management, of course. In my case, for instance, I started my career at KNAPP as a commissioning engineer myself.

Why does the job as a commissioning engineer have good prospects?

We’re continuously looking for new colleagues who will put our installations into operation at our customers’ sites. As a secure employer, KNAPP offers jobs with a future and many opportunities for development. What’s important, however, is that if you enjoy your job, you will perform well too. This automatically opens up opportunities for advancement within the company. Working as a commissioning engineer at KNAPP has another advantage. Since you get to know the entire product range and all processes, you have a complete overview of what’s going on, which will be of great help for furthering your career in the company.

Is the job also appealing to women?

Of course! At KNAPP, we have many excellent female engineers working in Development, Production or Software Engineering as for example in the area of Commissioning. I personally would love to see many more women in technical jobs and in Commissioning. What I have experienced is that many things automatically improve when the number of women in the departments and divisions increases. Amongst us commissioning engineers, for example, communication with each other has improved a lot since women joined our team.

And what about the salary? Is the remuneration the only thing that makes this job attractive or do we offer more than that?

Appropriate compensation is of course provided because people who do good work should receive fair pay according to industry standards. However, nowadays, there’s a lot more that matters than the money transferred to people’s bank accounts at the end of the month. Today, employees are also very interested in what else the company has to offer that is not directly connected to their salary. A good work-life balance, short commutes to work, a pleasant working environment, friendly colleagues and exciting tasks are just as important, if not more important. The company takes this very seriously and places great value on a positive corporate culture and offers many benefits for our employees. We offer a wide range of additional services, such as a kindergarten, our KNAPPvital health and wellness program, which includes yoga classes, massages, workout sessions and health check-ups as well as activities you can do together with other colleagues such as soccer, tennis, skiing, board games, table tennis and more. Last but not least, our Christmas and summer parties have become legendary employee events.

What criteria do you have to meet to become a commissioning engineer at KNAPP?

At KNAPP, commissioning engineers work in the areas of automation technology, control systems and software development. If you have received training in these areas, you have the ideal prerequisites for applying for a job as a commissioning engineer at KNAPP. However, anyone is welcome to apply who is enthusiastic about technology and shares our passion for innovation. Many of our colleagues in Commissioning used to follow a different career path or have returned to the job after a career break. Of course, you need specific previous experience such as programming skills and an affinity for technology, but with our extensive training and continuing education program, there are plenty of opportunities for career changers or career break returners.

Would you like to start your career with us? Whether you’re a career starter, someone with professional experience or a career changer, we look forward to receiving your application as a commissioning engineer! Click here to go to the job portal.