Automation Engineer

IRL - 1500 Takeda Ireland Limited; Bray; On-site; EUR 58,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda is seeking an Automation Engineer in Bray, Ireland to act as technical expert for manufacturing control systems and OT. You will support automation, digital transformation, and compliance with GMP standards while collaborating with global teams and external vendors.

The role emphasizes system administration, project delivery, documentation, and continuous improvement within a global automation strategy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in automation/engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5 years GMP manufacturing experience.
• Experience with regulated industries (pharma/biotech/medical devices).
• Strong data integrity and GDP knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Act as system administrator for automation and control systems.
• Monitor system performance and ensure availability.
• Manage user access, backups, disaster recovery, and security.
• Troubleshoot automation issues with internal teams and vendors.
• Support routine maintenance, patching, lifecycle management.
• Develop and document URS, FDS, SOPs and related docs.
• Develop commissioning and qualification protocols and execute testing.
• Support capital planning and technology investments.
• Support automation strategy and standardization.

Skills

Automation engineering

GMP manufacturing

Industrial automation

OT & cybersecurity

Data integrity & GDP

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Automation Engineering/Robotics/CS/EE or related

Tools

Siemens PLC

Omron PLC

Mitsubishi PLC

iFIX

Wonderware

SQL databases

OPC/Modbus/Ethernet/IP

Job description

Job Description The Opportunity As an Automation Engineer, you will serve as a technical expert for manufacturing control systems, operational technology (OT), machine automation, and digitalization initiatives. You will work closely with local and global teams to ensure our automation infrastructure remains reliable, compliant, and aligned with industry best practices. This is an excellent opportunity for a professional who enjoys combining hands-on technical problem solving with strategic automation and digital transformation projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Automation Systems Support & Administration
  • Act as system administrator for automation and control systems.
  • Monitor system performance and ensure maximum availability and reliability.
  • Manage user access, backups, disaster recovery, and system security.
  • Troubleshoot automation issues and coordinate solutions with internal teams and external vendors.
  • Support routine maintenance, patching, and lifecycle management activities.
  • Identify and implement improvements to optimize system performance.
• Project Delivery & Digital Transformation
  • Support automation and digitalization projects across manufacturing operations.
  • Participate in project teams and contribute technical expertise throughout project lifecycles.
  • Develop and maintain project documentation, including: User Requirements Specifications (URS) Functional Design Specifications (FDS) Network Architecture Documents Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  • Develop commissioning and qualification protocols and execute testing activities.
  • Support capital planning and technology investment initiatives.
• Compliance & Continuous Improvement
  • Ensure all activities comply with GMP regulations, site procedures, and corporate quality standards.
  • Participate in investigations related to automation and control system deviations.
  • Maintain complete and accurate system documentation.
  • Support software lifecycle management and technology roadmaps.
• Global Automation Strategy
  • Support implementation of Takeda's Global Automation Strategy.
  • Contribute to the standardization of automation systems, infrastructure, and engineering processes.
  • Collaborate with global and site stakeholders to deploy harmonized automation solutions.
  • Participate in cross-functional working groups to drive automation excellence.
  • Stay informed on emerging industry trends, including cloud technologies, Industrial IoT, AI, and advanced analytics.

What You'll Bring

Education

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in: Automation Engineering Robotics Computer Science Electrical Engineering Process Engineering Mechanical Engineering Chemical Engineering Or a related discipline

Experience

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a GMP-regulated manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting automation systems within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or other regulated industries.
• Strong understanding of data integrity principles and Good Documentation Practices (GDP).
• Experience working in complex global or matrix organizations.

Technical Skills

• Experience with one or more of the following technologies:
  • PLCs: Siemens, Omron, Mitsubishi
  • HMI / SCADA platforms: iFIX, Wonderware
  • Data management and historian platforms
  • Industrial communication protocols: OPC Modbus Ethernet/IP Profinet Profibus SQL databases and scripting languages
  • Operational Technology (OT) systems and architectures
  • Knowledge of: GAMP software development lifecycle ANSI/ISA-88, ISA-95, ISA-101, ISA-105, ISA-106 standards 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11
• Network technologies including: TCP/IP Routing & Switching IDS / IPS Active Directory Domain Integration Firewalls

Personal Attributes

• Thrives in collaborative, team-based environments.
• Builds strong working relationships across functions and geographies.
• Demonstrates strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Is passionate about innovation and continuous improvement.
• Communicates effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Shows initiative and ownership in delivering results.

Locations

Bray, Ireland

Base Salary Range: €57,800.00 - €79,420.00

The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.

Worker Type Employee Worker Sub-Type Regular Time Type Full time

Takeda is an equal opportunity employer.

Takeda is an industry-leading, global pharmaceutical company with an unwavering dedication to putting patients at the center of everything we do. We live our values of Takeda-ism - Integrity, Fairness, Honesty, and Perseverance and are united by our mission to strive towards Better Health and a Brighter Future for people worldwide through leading innovation in medicine. Here, everyone matters and you will be a vital contributor to our inspiring, bold mission. At Takeda, you will make an impact on people’s lives – including your own.