Senior Controls Systems Engineer – GMP/SCADA Lead

SEKISUI Diagnostics; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

SEKISUI Diagnostics in Maidstone, Kent is seeking a Senior Controls Systems Engineer to design, deliver and manage GMP‑compliant control systems across site. You will act as technical lead for PLC, SCADA and HMI projects, lead FAT/SAT testing and ensure traceability from URS to validation.

The role requires strong GMP validation knowledge, advanced PLC/SCADA expertise (Allen Bradley, Siemens), and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment while coordinating with QA,

Qualifications

• Experience in GMP environments with validation and data integrity.
• Advanced PLC/SCADA expertise (Allen Bradley, Siemens).
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently in a fast-paced setting.
• Reading and interpreting P&ID drawings/specs; vendor engagement.

Responsibilities

• Automation Strategy & System Design.
• Define and approve system architectures and standards.
• Ensure full traceability from URS → FDS → SDS → code.
• Lead PLC/SCADA development and configuration activities.
• Review and approve software design and implementation.
• Ensure robust alarm management, interlocks, and fail-safe design.
• Commissioning, Qualification & Validation leadership.
• Define validation approach in collaboration with QA/Validation.
• Ensure systems meet regulatory requirements and validation standards.
• GMP Compliance & Data Integrity ownership.
• Maintain systems in a validated state.
• Lead audit readiness and interface with regulators/vendors.
• Lead Engineering Change Control for automation systems.
• Perform impact assessments for complex system changes.
• Ensure lifecycle management of automation assets.
• Provide technical guidance to engineers and technicians.
• Support development of site automation capability.
• Act as SME for control systems across the site.
• Lead automation workstreams in capital projects.
• Manage system integrators and vendors.
• Interface with senior stakeholders across Engineering, QA, and Operations.
• Define and drive automation improvement initiatives.
• Support site digitalisation and integration strategies (EMS, historians, etc.).
• Improve system performance, reliability, and compliance.
• Lead or participate in safety reviews, FMEAs, HAZOPS, or similar.
• Maintain records for regulatory purposes in line with current legislation, including cGMP where required.
• Support vendor cost negotiations and challenge cost increases or scope changes.
• Ensure the maintenance team is educated on new equipment and involved in successful handover of projects.
• Facilitate continuous improvement workshops involving cross‑sectional teams.
• Support regulatory and customer audits.

Skills

GMP validation

PLC/SCADA

Project management

P&ID reading

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC

Siemens PLC

SCADA systems

Job description

SEKISUI Diagnostics in Maidstone, Kent is seeking a Senior Controls Systems Engineer to design, deliver and manage GMP‑compliant control systems across site. You will act as technical lead for PLC, SCADA and HMI projects, lead FAT/SAT testing and ensure traceability from URS to validation.

The role requires strong GMP validation knowledge, advanced PLC/SCADA expertise (Allen Bradley, Siemens), and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment while coordinating with QA,