At STERIS, we help our Customers create a healthier and safer world by providing innovative healthcare and life science product and service solutions around the globe.
About the team
The Systems Performance Engineering team ensures the uptime, reliability, and correct operation of complex automated sterilization systems deployed at customer facilities. These systems integrate:
1. Siemens and Allen‑Bradley PLCs
2. Conveyor systems, motors, actuators, valves, and safety‑critical devices
3. Sensors and industrial automation components
4. Servers running multiple software services, databases, and HMIs
When a system failure occurs, customer operations stop until our team resolves the issue. SPE is the team responsible for diagnosing and resolving issues ranging from PLC/controls automation failures, software‑rooted failures, working with IT partners, and coordinating design engineering teams as necessary, all while and ensuring customers receive timely communication.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys multi‑disciplinary problem solving, thrives in a critical support environment, and wants exposure to industrial automation, server‑side software, and large‑scale system behavior.
Position summury
The Systems Performance Engineer I provides frontline technical investigation and resolution of system issues reported by customers through tickets or direct calls. The role focuses on:
5. Troubleshooting failures across software services, databases, HMIs, and system interfaces
6. Interpreting data from PLCs, field devices, and safety systems
7. Understanding the interactions between automation hardware and server‑hosted software
8. Coordinating with internal teams (Controls, Applications, IT, Deployment, to drive issues to resolution
9. Keeping customers informed throughout the process
10. Ensuring rapid restoration of system functionality to minimize downtime
This position requires broad technical curiosity and the ability to understand the full system, not just a single component.
Key responsabilities
Customer-Facing Support & Troubleshooting (Primary Function)
11. Respond to incidents raised through tickets or calls when customer systems stop functioning
12. Troubleshoot issues within software services, databases, HMI components, and configuration files
13. Review PLC values, I/O signals, and automation behavior to identify conflicting conditions or hardware-side root causes
14. Remotely access customer systems to perform diagnostics, log collection, configuration review, and recovery steps
15. Engage additional teams (Controls, Software Development, IT, Field Engineering) as needed
16. Maintain timely, clear communication with customers regarding status, findings, and next steps
17. Follow issues through to completion and confirm successful recovery of system operations
System Analysis & Diagnostics
18. Understand interactions between PLC logic, sensors, motors, actuators, and server-side software
19. Analyze logs, alarms, event timelines, and process values to determine root causes
20. Identify patterns in recurring issues and escalate improvement opportunities to senior team members
21. Document findings, incident notes, and resolutions clearly
Operational Excellence
22. Follow all quality processes, documentation standards, and escalation procedures
23. Participate in continuous improvement of troubleshooting guides, internal knowledgebase, and team tools
24. Support internal testing of configurations or fixes when validating solutions for production systems
Requested qualifications - Soft skills
Requested qualifications
25. Associates degree or technical diploma and a minimum of 2 years related experience
26. Foundational understanding of industrial automation (PLCs, sensors, actuators)
27. Basic knowledge of Windows servers, software services, databases, and application logs
28. Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills
29. Ability to clearly communicate technical concepts to non‑technical customers
30. Ability to work on‑site in the Louvain La Neuve, BE office
Soft skills
31. Strong communicator with the ability to simplify complex concepts
32. Calm and methodical under pressure
33. Excellent problem‑solving and critical‑thinking abilities
34. Strong organizational habits and attention to detail
35. Comfortable asking clarifying questions and collaborating cross‑functionally
36. Eagerness to learn and grow technical breadth
STERIS strives to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.