Senior IT OT Automation Engineer

About
SimoTech          

SimoTech provides manufacturing automation and
IT systems engineering, project management and validation services. We partner
with life sciences companies to design, build, operate and optimise critical
process automation systems that deliver fast track project delivery,
operational efficiency, improve manufacturing agility and achieve regulatory
compliance.

Why SimoTech

What is it like to work at SimoTech? With a
strong collaborative teamwork culture based on respect, trust and excellence,
we play a critical partnering role to our clients’ life-changing supply of
products to patients. In return, there is excellent salary, benefits, career
progression, educational support and much more.  

Senior Automation Engineer (IT/OT)

SimoTech is seeking multiple
experienced Senior Automation Engineers (IT/OT) to support the ramp-up of a
major greenfield expansion within a pharmaceutical Oral Solid Dose (OSD)
manufacturing site. Each engineer will take technical ownership of a key automation
and digital technology area, across PLC/SCADA, (Siemens),  eSCADA (Ignition), ThinManager, AVEVA PI,
VPE-managed equipment, and associated automation systems.

Working as part of a
multidisciplinary project team, the successful candidates will lead the design,
implementation, integration, commissioning, and operational readiness of their
assigned technology domain. The role involves close collaboration with manufacturing,
engineering, validation, quality, cybersecurity, and global IT teams to ensure
systems are delivered safely, compliantly, and in alignment with project and
business objectives.

Responsibilities include end-to-end
technical delivery, system integration, vendor coordination, risk management,
troubleshooting, and lifecycle support across both Operational Technology (OT)
and enterprise IT environments. Candidates will play a critical role in
establishing scalable, reliable, and cybersecure automation infrastructure that
will underpin future manufacturing capacity and operational excellence at the
site.

Requirements

Key
Responsibilities

• Take ownership of major IT/OT
  work packages from project initiation through handover, managing scope,
  schedule, budget, risks, and resource planning.
  
• Lead technical and delivery
  alignment across multiple stakeholders, including engineering, IT
  infrastructure, cybersecurity, QA, vendors, and system integrators.
  
• Define and review technical
  requirements and oversee solution design for OT systems such as PLC/SCADA/DCS,
  historians, MES, OT networks, and integration with IT systems and cloud
  platforms.
  
• Embed GMP, cybersecurity, and
  quality standards throughout delivery with compliance to GAMP and change
  control processes.
  
•  Manage vendor performance
  including drafting/approving statements of work, setting acceptance criteria,
  and overseeing milestone delivery.
  
• Direct testing and
  commissioning activities, such as FAT/SAT, UAT, documentation review, and
  structured operational handover.
  
• Prepare governance reporting
  and support steering committees, risk reviews, and cadence meetings for project
  alignment.
  
• Mentor and guide junior and
  intermediate automation engineers to ensure consistent standards of delivery
  and knowledge transfer.
  

Key Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in
  Automation, Control Systems, Computer Science, IT, Engineering, or related
  discipline.
  
• Minimum 5–8 years of relevant
  experience within IT/OT automation project delivery.
  
• Proven track record of
  successfully delivering end-to-end IT/OT projects in regulated manufacturing
  environments.
  
• Expertise in PLC and SCADA
  systems (Siemens or Schneider), plus experience with one of ThinManager,
  Ignition, and Aveva PI.
  
• Strong understanding of
  project delivery methodologies, governance, and risk controls, with practical
  application in pharma or similar environments.
  
• In-depth knowledge of GMP
  practices, GAMP principles, and computer system lifecycle management.
  
• Exceptional stakeholder
  engagement skills with the ability to communicate to senior leadership and
  influence decision-making.
  
• Excellent leadership,
  problem-solving, and documentation skills.
  
• Knowledge of Active
  Directory, ITIL frameworks (including ServiceNow), and enterprise integration
  principles is considered desirable
  
• Knowledge of
  cybersecurity controls, OT networking, and cloud/edge integration technologies
  is considered desirable.
  
  
  

Benefits

What SimoTech Can
Offer

• Role provides a high degree of autonomy to allow the successful
  candidate to reach their full potential.
  
• Develop new skills and enhance technical ability by working with
  innovative technologies in a multi-disciplined environment.
  
• Opportunity to work with large corporate clients on exciting capital
  projects.