Automation Engineer

Boehringer Ingelheim; Pirbright; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Boehringer Ingelheim UK is seeking an Automation Engineer to maintain and enhance site automation, including production equipment and building systems. The role blends hands-on work with project support, covering design, programming, troubleshooting and lifecycle management of control systems.

The fixed-term contract runs until 31 December 2027 and requires a DBS check. Collaboration with operations, maintenance, engineering and IT teams is essential to ensure compliant, reliable automation

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with industrial automation systems including PLCs, HMI/SCADA, building automation and control systems.
• Strong PLC programming knowledge (ladder, function block, structured text) and industrial control architectures.
• Understanding of low voltage control systems, relays, drives, sensors and fieldbus networks.
• Experience supporting full system lifecycle – design, implementation, troubleshooting, upgrades and documentation.
• Familiarity with HMI/SCADA platforms and building automation systems.
• Experience in pharmaceutical or highly regulated industries.
• Knowledge of GAMP5 methodology.
• Ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Awareness of OT cybersecurity principles.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and troubleshoot automation systems to ensure reliability and minimize downtime, while managing documentation and records.
• Deliver automation support for projects including design, programming and implementation of control systems.
• Lead or contribute to automation projects and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure systems operate in a compliant manner, supporting audits and corrective actions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and external vendors to support performance and project execution.
• Evaluate and implement new technologies and provide internal knowledge sharing and training.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA

Building automation

Industrial control architectures

Low voltage control

Sensors & I/O

Lifecycle management

Regulatory compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

OT cybersecurity basics

GAMP5 awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Control Systems or related field

Tools

HMI/SCADA platforms

PLC programming tools

Documentation management

Job description

THE POSITION

The Automation Engineer is responsible for maintaining and improving site automation technologies, including production equipment and building automation systems. The role combines hands‑on technical work with project support, covering design, programming, troubleshooting and lifecycle management of control systems. The position contributes to production continuity, supports engineering and maintenance activities, and ensures that automation systems operate in line with regulatory and internal standards while enabling future site development.

This is a fixed-term contract until 31st December 2027.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The person in this role will support both day‑to‑day operations and project activities related to automation systems. In particular, they will:

• Maintain and troubleshoot automation systems (including production and building automation) to ensure system reliability and minimize production downtime, while managing documentation, backups and system records
• Deliver automation support for engineering and maintenance projects, including design, programming and implementation of control systems, while ensuring alignment with scope, timelines, budgets and global standards
• Lead or contribute to automation projects and continuous improvement initiatives, coordinating stakeholders, managing deliverables and supporting long‑term site automation strategy and roadmap
• Ensure systems operate in a compliant manner by adhering to internal procedures, industry standards and regulatory requirements, including supporting audits and implementing corrective and preventive actions
• Collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams (operations, maintenance, engineering, validation, IT) and external vendors to support system performance and project execution
• Evaluate and implement new technologies, build internal expertise and provide knowledge sharing and training within the team

Requirements

• Hands‑on experience with industrial automation systems, including PLCs, HMI/SCADA, building automation and control systems
• Strong knowledge of PLC programming (e.g. ladder, function block, structured text) and industrial control architectures
• Understanding of low voltage control systems (relays, safety circuits, drives) and industrial devices and interfaces (sensors, I/O, fieldbus, networking)
• Experience supporting the full system lifecycle (design, implementation, troubleshooting, upgrades and documentation)
• Familiarity with HMI/SCADA platforms and building automation systems
• Experience working in a pharmaceutical environment or another highly regulated industry
• Knowledge of GAMP5 (Good Automated Manufacturing Practice) methodology
• Understanding of project delivery and ability to manage priorities in a fast‑paced environment
• Awareness of operational technology cybersecurity principles
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Control Systems or a related field

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required for the successful candidate. Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory DBS certificate.

WHY THIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO WORK

Boehringer Ingelheim has been recognised as a Top Employer in the UK, demonstrating our commitment to building an exceptional workplace through strong people practices and supportive HR policies.

To learn more about why BI is a great place to work, visit:

https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.co.uk/careers/uk-careers/why-great-place-work

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to a person’s actual or perceived race, including natural hairstyles, hair texture and protective hairstyles; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; citizenship status, marital status; gender, gender identity or expression; sexual orientation, mental, physical or intellectual disability, veteran status; pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other class or characteristic protected by applicable law.