Project Engineer - Automation

People Group Limited; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

People Group Limited is seeking an experienced Project Engineer – Automation for a major sterile manufacturing and facility expansion under GMP. You will lead automation strategies for processing equipment, cleanrooms and critical utilities, and ensure QA, regulatory and digital standards compliance throughout the project lifecycle.

You will design, test and qualify automation solutions, collaborating with vendors and the integrated project team to deliver FAT/SAT, commissioning and validation

Qualifications

• Degree in Automation, Control Systems or Electrical Engineering.
• Proven automation delivery in pharma/life sciences or regulated environments.
• Strong knowledge of PLC, SCADA, DCS and industrial control systems.
• Experience with commissioning, qualification and validation activities.
• Understanding of GMP, data integrity and computer system validation.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience in sterile manufacturing or aseptic processing.
• Knowledge of EU GMP, Annex 1, MHRA or FDA requirements.
• Experience with MES integration.
• Familiarity with OT cybersecurity requirements.

Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing automation strategies aligned with project standards.
• Producing URS, FDS and SDS documents.
• Providing technical oversight of PLC, SCADA, DCS and BMS solutions.
• Managing integration of automation with MES, historians and digital platforms.
• Supporting CSV and cybersecurity requirements for regulated systems.
• Reviewing vendor/contractor automation designs and submissions.
• Participating in design reviews, risk assessments and qualification activities.
• Supporting FAT, SAT, commissioning and qualification activities.
• Assisting with automation testing, alarm management and system verification.
• Maintaining documentation, traceability and handover processes.

Skills

Automation

Control systems

PLC

SCADA

DCS

GMP awareness

CSV knowledge

MES integration

Cybersecurity

Stakeholder mgmt

Education

Degree in Automation/Control Systems

Tools

PLC/SCADA/DCS platforms

BMS/HMI environments

Job description

Project Engineer – Automation

£50k - £70k + package

Pharma, life sciences, BMS / SCADA

Our client is a market leading engineering consultancy who are 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.

This is an excellent opportunity for an automation professional with experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing or other regulated industries.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Systems you may support

• 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.

Skills and Experience

• 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.