Associate Specialist, Manufacturing Automation

Msd Ireland; Ireland; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD Ireland is seeking an Associate Specialist in Manufacturing Automation to join the Digital Manufacturing Operations team at Ballydine. The role focuses on delivering automation projects, supporting operations, and collaborating with IT and vendors to ensure regulatory and manufacturing compliance.

You will contribute to SDLC deliverables, GMP practices, and ongoing support of PLC and automation systems across multiple facilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in automation, computer science or software engineering.
• Strong knowledge of DCS/PLC/BMS/SCADA and data history/reporting systems.
• Experience with Computer System Validation and shop floor integration.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Automation vendors and IT to deliver projects on time and within budget.
• Provide operational fault diagnosis and remediation support.
• Support department activities like user management and periodic PLC reviews.
• Develop SDLC deliverables compliant with company standards (specifications, design, testing).
• Coordinate with QA and CSV to ensure regulatory compliance and GMP practices.
• Manage PLC technologies and infrastructure (Siemens, Rockwell, BMS, UMS).

Skills

DCS

PLC

BMS

SCADA

Data historian

System validation

Shop floor integration

Automation solutions

Project execution

Documentation review

Problem solving

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Automation / CS / SE

Job description

Job Description

An amazing opportunity has arisen for an Associate Specialist, Manufacturing Automation reporting to the Digital Manufacturing Operations lead, specifically responsible for Automation Systems delivery. The site has experienced significant growth and expansion in recent years and with exciting new initiatives also in the pipeline, the DMO team are seeking an automation engineer to help position the team to support the future needs of the site. This candidate will be required to work closely with the Automation and IT teams responsible for the delivery of Automation projects and with vendors / partners in support of these project activities. The candidate will provide day to day support functions to operations and will also support critical capital projects.

Bring Energy, Knowledge, Innovation To Carry Out The Following

• As the Automation Engineer where support is provided to projects you will work with other Automation resources, Automation vendors and partners to deliver automation systems on time and within budget.
• Provide support functions to Operations including fault diagnosis and remediation activities.
• Provide support of Department activities such as user additions / removals; Preventative Maintenance and Periodic Reviews of PLC systems.
• Develop SDLC deliverables, compliant with company standards, including but not limited to:
• Requirements Specifications
• Requirements Traceability Matrix
• Functional Specification
• Design Specification
• Code Review
• Test specification/test script
• Work closely with vendors of Automation equipment to ensure project deliverables meet requirements.
• Work closely with the Quality Assurance and Computer System Validation functions and ensure their requirements are met in all deliverables.
• Ensure Automation compliance with Global Policies, Procedures and Guidelines, regulatory requirements and execute current Good manufacturing Practices (cGMP) in the performance of day to day activities and all applicable job functions.
• Implement, manage, update and support various PLC technology and infrastructure across the site (Siemens & Rockwell PLC’s, Building Management Systems, Utilities Management Systems).

What Skills You Will Need

• Bachelor’s Degree in Automation Process Control, Computer Science or Software Engineering
• Technical and operational expertise in the following disciplines: DCS, PLC, BMS and SCADA systems, Data historian and reporting systems, Computer System Validation, Control System/Shop floor Integration, Experience in the implementation and on-going support of Automation solutions, Project execution skills, Experience in reviewing and approving technical and compliance documentation, Excellent problem-solving skills, Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills, Demonstrable logical and systematic problem-solving skills

The Following Experience Is An Advantage

• Business knowledge of Pharmaceutical Drug Substance and Drug Product production
• Experience working in a GMP environment and with regulatory inspections
• Contractor and vendor management skills

First established in 1976, our Ballydine facility develops and supplies the active ingredients and final formulated product for a range of innovative medicines at its manufacturing and R&D facilities. Ballydine was our Company’s first site in Ireland, the Ballydine site is our Company’s primary small molecule pipeline commercialisation facility globally, operating as a European hub for quality, manufacturing, and engineering. Its highly skilled teams lead the way in the development of new medicines, including innovative treatments for Hepatitis C, HIV and immuno-oncology, the site exports to over 25 countries around the world.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together.

Please don't hesitate to contact the Talent Acquisition Advisor assigned to this role should you need any support during our recruitment process.

Preferred Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Advanced Process Control, Automation Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Communication, Computer Applications, Computer-Integrated Manufacturing (CIM), Control System (Inactive), Industrial Engineering, Innovation, IT Automation, Machinery Manufacturing, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Engineering, Mentorship, Metal Manufacturing, Microsoft Office, Organizational Behavior, Prioritization, Process Engineering, Product Engineering, Product Manufacturing, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Robotic Process Automation {+ 4 more}

Employee Status

Regular

Job Posting End Date

11/5/2026

• A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.