Automation Project Lead (Antwerpen)

Pauwels Consulting; Hoboken; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Pauwels Consulting is seeking an Automation Project Lead to drive innovation in industrial operations, guiding projects from concept through to solution design and handover to the engineering team.

You will analyse processes, design automation architectures across LIMS, MES and safety layers, and build solid business cases with strong stakeholder management. Fluency in English is required.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering (Automation/Electrical/Mechanical/Industrial).
• 6+ years in industrial production environments (manufacturing/chemicals/pharma).
• Proven automation project delivery from concept to handover.
• Strong knowledge of IT/OT integration including LIMS and MES.
• Translate operational needs into clear functional and technical specs and build solid business cases.
• Analytical thinker with stakeholder management and structured, solution-oriented approach.
• Fluent in English.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation projects during concept and design phases, aligned with program strategy.
• Analyze end-to-end industrial processes to identify automation opportunities and apply lean principles.
• Translate operational needs into structured functional and technical requirements and specifications.
• Design and evaluate automation architectures, integrating systems across LIMS, MES, and safety layers.
• Build comprehensive business cases for technical investments and align across cross-functional departments.
• Manage project scope, timelines, and resources while coordinating with internal teams and external suppliers.
• Ensure project definitions are validated and ready for handover to the engineering team for implementation.

Skills

Automation

Electrical

Mechanical

IT/OT integration

Stakeholder mgmt

Analytical thinking

English

Dutch language

Education

Master's in Engineering (Automation/Electrical/Mechanical/Industrial)

Tools

LIMS

MES

Job description

Our client, a leader in materials technology and recycling, is seeking an Automation Project Lead to drive innovation within their industrial operations. This role focuses on leading projects from initial concept through to solution design, bridging the gap between operational needs and technical implementation.

• Lead automation projects during the concept and design phases, ensuring alignment with the program strategy.
• Analyze end-to-end industrial processes to identify automation opportunities and apply lean principles.
• Translate operational needs into structured functional and technical requirements and specifications.
• Design and evaluate automation architectures, integrating systems across LIMS, MES, and safety layers.
• Build comprehensive business cases for technical investments and facilitate alignment across cross-functional departments.
• Manage project scope, timelines, and resources while coordinating with internal teams and external suppliers.
• Ensure project definitions are validated and ready for handover to the engineering team for implementation.

• You have a Master's degree in Engineering, specifically in Automation, Electrical, Mechanical, or Industrial engineering.
• You bring 6+ years of experience in industrial production environments such as manufacturing, chemicals, or pharmaceuticals.
• You have proven experience delivering automation projects from initial concept through to design and handover.
• You possess strong knowledge of industrial automation systems and the integration of IT and OT layers, including LIMS and MES.
• You're able to translate complex operational needs into clear functional and technical specifications and build solid business cases.
• You're an analytical thinker with strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to work in a structured, solution-oriented manner.
• You're fluent in English.

Nice to Haves

• Possession of a VCA certificate.
• Knowledge of Dutch.