Senior Engineer | Process Automation | Brussels

Plasma Industries Belgium; Neder-Over-Heembeek; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Group health insurance

Meal vouchers

Eco-cheques

Flex Reward Plan

Generous holidays

Job summary

Prothya Biosolutions BE in Brussels is seeking a Senior Engineer – Process Automation to lead automation projects for production and utilities, support OT networks, and manage qualification and handover of systems.

The role requires strong project management, PLC/HMI/SCADA expertise, and collaboration across internal teams and external partners, with rotation phone guard duties in the team.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in engineering or equivalent.
• 5+ years in automation with hands-on project experience.
• 3+ years in network infra management and Troubleshooting.
• Pharma/Life Sciences exposure is a plus.
• Experience with qualification and verification of systems.

Responsibilities

• Translate customer needs into URS and quotes; manage automation tasks.
• Coordinate external partners; monitor budgets and dashboards.
• Lead IOQ/FAT/SAT/IQ/OQ testing and qualification activities.
• Follow GMP, CAPA, MOC processes and update SOPs.
• Manage routine automation activities and support cross‑dept work.
• Participate in a rotation phone guard duty.

Skills

Automation project management

Networking & troubleshooting

GMP knowledge

Team leadership

Communication

Education

Master’s degree in engineering

Tools

Siemens Step7

TIA Portal

Wonderware InTouch

Ignition

Pharmacim

Vsphere

Job description

Senior Engineer | Process Automation | Brussels

Job title:

Senior Engineer Process Automation

Reports to the Engineering Supervisor –Process Automation

Objectives

As Senior Engineer – Process Automation, you lead automation projects for production and utilities, support the OT network and the replacement of obsolete systems, and provide technical support for operational systems (PLC, HMI, SCADA, MES). Within the projects, you coordinate internal colleagues and external partners throughout project delivery, qualification and handover.

You support deviation investigations, complete assigned corrective and preventive actions (CAPA), and initiate management of change (MOC) processes. You take ownership of assigned OT systems and train colleagues in their use.

From an operational role, you are available to support other services within the company using your technical knowledge of automation systems and networks. You are also the central point of contact for communication with external automation partners, for technical questions, and for analysing and solving malfunctions in automation systems within the company.

You are part of a phone guard duty, in a rotation with colleagues within the team.

Main responsibilities and result areas:

1. Project management:

• Translate internal customer requirements into User Requirement Specifications (URS) and other specification documents, and prepare requests for quotation for outsourced automation work
• You analyse the received price quotes and participate in the supplier selection process
• You take the lead for the implementation of the automation tasks within projects, and can delegate/coordinate some activities to other automation engineers
• Coordinate external partners (electrical, automation outsourcing). PLC/SCADA programming is generally outsourced
• You will work according to the set timelines and investment budgets, and you will monitor the coordination of the various parties involved. Keep the budget and planning up to date on dashboards. Provide periodic report to the management
• Within the Process Automation team you coordinate the tasks of other automation engineers (both internal and external) involved in your project team
• You have the ability to develop, maintain, and strengthen good cooperation with other departments in order to provide them with information, assistance, and support
• You play an active role in the commissioning of your subproject and transfer your knowledge to the internal customer

2. Testing, verification, and qualification:

• You will prepare qualification (IOQ) documents as well as organise, coordinate, and participate in the various commissioning and verification steps (FAT, SAT, IQ, OQ) in order to demonstrate that the new or modified system meets the required specifications
• You organise, supervise, and document tests and qualifications
• You will play an active role in troubleshooting during the commissioning of the installation

3. GMP and quality:

• You follow MP, SOPs and DOCs. You understand GMP and apply it to your everyday work
• You manage Deviation/CAPA/MOC assigned to you within agreed timelines
• You participate in the maintenance of quality within the team (updating SOPs, user specifications, etc…)

4. Automation routine activities

• You manage various manufacturing software systems (PLC, HMI, SCADA, MES, data reporting/analysis tools, and electrical process control installations)
• You monitor the health of the OT network and coordinates support/provides troubleshooting
• You participate in routine GMP activities related to automation (periodic reviews, user access reviews, backup and archiving reviews,…)
• You are a central point of contact regarding automation aspects; you help investigation from other departments in that regard and can lead investigations

5. Supporting role:

• You collaborate with all departments
• You provide insight and help improve engineering processes as a whole
• You participate in a rotation phone guard duty

Your profile:

• Level of education: Master’s degree in engineering or equivalent.
• You combine your talent for project management with a strong technical ability, and good analytical skills.
• At least 5 years’ experience within automation
• At least 3 years’ experience in network infrastructure management and troubleshooting, including VLANs, routing, switching and virtualisation
• Previous experience (minimum 3 years) within a quality-controlled sector (Pharma, Life Sciences, etc.) is an advantage.
• You have experience with qualification and verification of systems.
• You are willing to develop a thorough understanding of the company’s production and technical installations
• You are prepared to assist in the field if needed
• You can work autonomously, and you are proactive in projects.
• You can guide other automation engineers (both internal and external).
• Knowledge of the following software packages is an advantage :
  • PLC: SiemensStep7 and TIA Portal
  • SCADA: Wonderware Intouch System Platform / Ignition
  • MES: Pharmacim
  • VM: Vsphere
• You are fluent in English and have a very good understanding of either French or Dutch, both spoken and written.
• You communicate both informally (within the Process Automation team, interdepartmentally, and with external parties) and formally (GMP documentation for support projects) through written and verbal communication.
• You are customer-oriented with a focus on output, teamwork, problem solving, research, improvements, and safety.
• You have a continuous learning mindset to stay current with industry trends and advancements.

Our Company

Prothya Biosolutions produces plasma preparations (including known products such as Cofact, Nanogam and Albuman). In addition, Prothya collects, tests and supplies blood plasma to purification and production sites worldwide. Prothya Biosolutions’ mission is to provide healthcare organizations worldwide with high-quality plasma products. The company does this by creating value for partners and contributing to the health of people who depend on essential plasma proteins. Hence, Prothya’s slogan: Creating Value, Sustaining Life. The company has various office and production locations in the Netherlands and Belgium and employs around 1,000 people.

We offer

Prothya Biosolutions BE is part of an international biopharmaceutical group which offers long-term career perspectives and invests actively in on-the-job training.

In return for your performance, you shall receive a competitive salary, group and health insurance, meal vouchers, and eco-cheques, as well as a Flex Reward Plan. The Flex Reward Plan is a flexible compensation system through which employees can create a budget from their current salary components. Thanks to this plan, they can enjoy, on a voluntary basis and according to their personal choice, a series of benefits that Prothya Biosolutions BE offers once a year.

We also offer an attractive holiday system exceeding the legal holidays.

Furthermore, we value mutual respect and diversity is our strength.

For each Prothya Biosolutions BE employee, from operators to the CEO, engagement means showing initiative. We expect all colleagues to contribute to achieving our annual objectives in order to take the organization towards its future challenges and successes.