Project Engineer - Automation

Mace; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Career development

Industry-leading projects

Inclusive team environment

Job summary

Mace is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to support a major sterile manufacturing and facility expansion programme within a highly regulated GMP environment. The role provides technical leadership for automation systems across process equipment, cleanrooms and critical utilities.

Working with an integrated project team, you will develop, implement, test and qualify automation solutions while ensuring compliance with quality, regulatory and digital standards.

Qualifications

• Degree in Automation, Control Systems, Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Experience delivering automation solutions in regulated environments (pharma/biotech/life sciences).
• Strong knowledge of PLC, SCADA, DCS and industrial control systems.
• Experience with commissioning, qualification and validation activities.
• Understanding GMP, data integrity and computer system validation.
• Experience reviewing design docs and coordinating with vendors/contractors.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience in sterile manufacturing or aseptic facilities.
• Knowledge of EU GMP/Annex 1, MHRA or FDA regulatory requirements.
• Experience with MES integration and digitalisation.
• Familiarity with OT cybersecurity requirements.
• Chartered Engineer status or progress towards accreditation.

Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing automation strategies aligned with project and client standards.
• Producing and reviewing URS, FDS and SDS documents.
• Providing technical oversight of PLC, SCADA, DCS and BMS solutions.
• Managing integration of automation with site infrastructure and MES.
• Supporting CSV, data integrity, and cybersecurity requirements.
• Reviewing vendor automation designs and technical submissions.
• Participating in design reviews, risk assessments and qualification activities.
• Supporting FAT, SAT, commissioning and validation activities.
• Assisting with automation testing, alarm management and system verification.
• Maintaining robust documentation, traceability and handover processes.

Skills

PLC/SCADA/DCS expertise

Stakeholder management

Regulatory awareness

Industrial automation knowledge

Education

Degree in Automation/Control Systems/Electrical Engineering

Tools

MES integration

BMS

CSV/IV validation tools

Job description

Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey.

Mace is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to support the delivery of a major sterile manufacturing and facility expansion programme within a highly regulated GMP environment. The role will provide technical leadership and oversight for automation systems associated with process equipment, cleanroom facilities and critical utilities. Working as part of an integrated project team, you will support the development, implementation, testing and qualification of automation solutions while ensuring compliance with quality, regulatory and digital standards.

You’ll Be Responsible For

• Developing and implementing automation strategies aligned with project and client digital standards.
• Producing and review user requirement specifications (URS), functional design specifications (FDS) and system design specifications (SDS).
• Providing technical oversight of PLC, SCADA, DCS and building management system (BMS) solutions.
• Managing integration of automation systems with site infrastructure, manufacturing execution systems (MES), historians and other digital platforms.
• Supporting data integrity, computer system validation (CSV) and cybersecurity requirements for regulated systems.
• Reviewing vendor and contractor automation designs, specifications and technical submissions.
• Participating in design reviews, risk assessments, FMEA workshops and qualification activities.
• Supporting factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), commissioning and qualification activities.
• Assisting with automation testing, alarm management and system verification activities.
• Ensuring robust documentation, traceability and handover processes are maintained throughout the project lifecycle.
• The successful candidate may be required to support a range of systems, including:
  • Processing equipment automation.
  • Cleanroom and environmental control systems.
  • Autoclaves and sterilisation equipment.
  • Washers and decontamination systems.
  • HVAC and critical ventilation systems.
  • Utility control systems.
  • Building Management Systems (BMS)
  • PLC, SCADA and DCS platforms.

You’ll Need To Have

• Degree qualified in Automation, Control Systems, Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Proven experience delivering automation solutions within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, healthcare or other highly regulated environments.
• Strong knowledge of PLC, SCADA, DCS and industrial control systems.
• Experience supporting commissioning, qualification and validation activities.
• Understanding of GMP principles, data integrity and computer system validation requirements.
• Experience reviewing design documentation and managing technical interfaces with vendors and contractors.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience working within sterile manufacturing or aseptic processing facilities.
• Knowledge of EU GMP, Annex 1, MHRA or FDA regulatory requirements.
• Experience with MES integration and manufacturing digitalisation programmes.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity requirements for operational technology (OT) environments.
• Chartered Engineer status or progress towards professional accreditation.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work on industry-leading life sciences and advanced manufacturing programmes.
• Exposure to complex, cutting-edge regulated facilities.
• Structured career development and professional accreditation support.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Inclusive, collaborative and high-performing team environment.

Our values

• Safety first – Going home safe and well: We champion a safe, diverse and inclusive working environment, understanding the importance of wellbeing in every team.
• Client focus – Deliver on our promise: We own the quality of deliverables, strategic outcomes and build long term relationships with our clients.
• Integrity – Always do the right thing: We influence positive outcomes within our industry, while always aligning with our compliance obligations.
• Create opportunity – For our people to excel: We champion a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities, inspiring our people and teams to develop.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfil all the criteria, please apply as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation.

We are also open to discussing part time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable with‑in the role.