Senior Automation Engineer

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