Summary
✨ AI‑Generated
A highly automated regulated manufacturing facility is seeking a senior automation engineer to lead and support production and packaging systems. You will maintain and optimise PLC, HMI, SCADA, and industrial control systems, troubleshoot equipment, and lead automation projects. The role is hands-on and offers substantial technical ownership across manufacturing operations.
Highlights
Hands-on senior role supporting automation across a highly automated manufacturing and packaging environment. Lead automation projects, optimise industrial control systems, improve equipment reliability, and contribute technical leadership within a regulated setting.
Description
Senior Automation Engineer
Location: Haarlem, The Netherlands
Employment Type: Full-Time
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Senior Automation Engineer to join a highly automated pharmaceutical manufacturing and packaging facility in Haarlem.
This is a hands-on technical role supporting the design, maintenance, optimisation, and implementation of automation systems across production and packaging operations.
The successful candidate will have extensive experience working with a variety of automation platforms and packaging equipment within a regulated manufacturing environment.
This role focuses on discrete manufacturing and packaging automation; DeltaV experience is not required.
Key Responsibilities
Provide technical leadership for automation systems supporting manufacturing and packaging operations.
Maintain, troubleshoot, and optimise PLC, HMI, SCADA, and industrial control systems to maximise equipment reliability and performance.
Lead automation projects including system upgrades, equipment integration, commissioning, and lifecycle improvements.
Support installation, FAT, SAT, commissioning, IQ/OQ, and validation activities for new and modified equipment.
Work closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Production, Quality, Validation, and IT/OT teams to deliver automation solutions.
Develop and maintain automation standards, documentation, and change control records.
Ensure compliance with GMP, GAMP5, data integrity, and company engineering standards.
Analyse equipment performance and implement improvements to increase OEE, reduce downtime, and improve operational efficiency.
Support industrial cybersecurity initiatives for operational technology (OT) systems.
Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance to maintenance and operations teams.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related engineering discipline.
Minimum of 7 years' experience in industrial automation.
Proven experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, food, FMCG, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
Strong experience supporting automated packaging operations.
Excellent troubleshooting skills across electrical, control, and automation systems.
Experience managing automation projects from concept through commissioning.
Technical Skills
Candidates should have experience with several of the following technologies:
PLC Platforms
Siemens (TIA Portal, S7) Rockwell Allen-Bradley (Studio 5000) Beckhoff Schneider Electric Omron Mitsubishi
HMI & SCADA
Siemens WinCC FactoryTalk View Ignition Wonderware (AVEVA) Other modern SCADA platforms
Industrial Networks
Profinet Ethernet/IP Modbus TCP OPC UA Profibus
Packaging Equipment Experience
Experience with automated packaging equipment such as:
Cartoners Bottle filling and capping systems Labelling equipment Checkweighers Vision inspection systems Serialization and aggregation systems Case packers Palletisers Conveying systems Robotic pick-and-place applications
Desirable Experience
Computer System Validation (CSV) GMP / GAMP5 Data Integrity (ALCOA+) Change Control and CAPA FAT / SAT execution MES integration Industrial cybersecurity Continuous Improvement / Lean Manufacturing OEE improvement programs Digital manufacturing initiatives
To apply call George on 0871897038 or alternatively email your CV to GMcGlone@horizon-controls.com
