Working in automation abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

What is working in automation abroad like?

• Making processes faster, smarter, and more reliable. That's what working in automation means.
• This can involve industrial automation in factories, logistics automation in ports and warehouses, or digital automation of business processes.
• Often, it revolves around systems that absolutely must not fail, even at 3:00 AM in a different time zone.
• Responsibilities may include:
  • Designing, programming, and maintaining automated systems.
  • Working with PLCs, SCADA, industrial software, or robotics.
  • Optimizing production, logistics, or energy systems.
  • Testing, implementing, and troubleshooting automation problems.
  • Collaborating with engineers, IT specialists, and operators.
• Working conditions:
  • Many positions are full-time and project-based.
  • Regular on-site work, sometimes in shifts.
  • Salaries are often above average, especially for those with specialized knowledge.
  • Employers sometimes provide housing, transportation, or visa support.
  • Travel between locations and countries is common.
• Technology is universal, but the circumstances are not. Safety standards, infrastructure, and work culture vary greatly from country to country.

What are the reasons for working in automation abroad?

• To develop problem-solving skills: automation requires logical thinking and the ability to quickly understand complex problems.
• To become more independent: it is often expected that malfunctions are resolved quickly and independently.
• To train stress resistance: systems rarely fail during quiet periods.
• To increase organizational awareness: automation directly affects safety, production, and continuity.
• To develop a results-oriented approach: a system either works or it doesn't. There's little gray area in that regard.

What skills and motivations do you need to work in automation abroad?

• Analytical skills: understanding complex processes and identifying errors.
• Independence: making independent decisions on-site.
• To cope with stress: dealing with malfunctions, deadlines, and responsibility.
• Perseverance: continuing to search until a system is running smoothly.
• Organizational awareness: understanding safety, processes, and responsibilities.
• Communication skills: clearly conveying technical information to colleagues and operators.
• Flexibility: working with different standards, languages, and techniques.

What are the best countries and locations to work in automation abroad?

• Countries with strong industrial automation: Germany, Japan, South Korea, the United States, Switzerland.
• Countries with significant logistics and port automation: the Netherlands, Belgium, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates.
• Countries with large energy and infrastructure projects: Canada, Australia, Norway, Saudi Arabia.
• Emerging markets with many automation projects: India, Vietnam, Mexico, Brazil.

What are the risks of working in automation abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

• What are the risks of working in automation abroad?
  • Work often takes place in industrial environments, with the risk of accidents, entrapment, or electrical incidents.
  • Frequently, malfunctions must be resolved under time pressure, which can lead to mental overload.
  • Work often takes place in remote areas, where medical care is limited or far away. Errors often have serious consequences: production shutdowns, financial losses, or safety risks.
  • Medical costs are often high, especially in the case of workplace accidents or specialist care.
  • Evacuation or repatriation is often necessary after serious accidents or prolonged absences.
• Are you insured while working in automation abroad?
  • There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad.
  • Local employers generally offer limited or no supplementary insurance.
  • There's a risk of accidents, for example, because you are doing work with which you have little experience.
  • During work, internships, or volunteering abroad where you receive compensation or a salary, your own health insurance coverage in your home country may be cancelled.
  • See the pages on: insuring international Insurances for working abroad, for internships abroad, for volunteering abroad, or for expats and emigrants.