Automation Engineer

Syntech Recruitment Ltd; Waterford; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Syntech Recruitment Ltd is seeking an Automation Engineer in Waterford to design, build and commission automated manufacturing cells for a major medical device manufacturer. You will apply PLC control, robotics, and safety principles on complex production lines in a regulated setting.

Role covers project leadership from concept to validated production, with collaboration across Manufacturing, Quality and Validation teams.

Qualifications

• Degree in Automation, Mechatronics, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering or similar.
• 5+ years in automation engineering within manufacturing environments.
• Experience in regulated industries (medical/pharma/life sciences) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, build and implement automated manufacturing solutions to improve safety and efficiency.
• Program, troubleshoot and optimize PLC-controlled equipment.
• Integrate robotic systems including UR robots for production lines.
• Lead automation projects from concept through validation and handover.
• Develop control architectures, electrical schematics and specs.
• Support IQ/OQ/PQ activities in regulated environments.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality and Validation teams on improvements.

Skills

PLC programming

UR programming

Automation systems

Safety standards

Project leadership

Education

Engineering degree in Automation/Mechatronics/related

Tools

Allen-Bradley

Siemens/Beckhoff controllers

UR robotics

Job description

Automation Engineer

Location: Waterford, Ireland

Salary: Up to €75,000 + benefits · Permanent

Syntech are working with a large medical device manufacturer building the automated production lines behind life-changing products. We're looking for an experienced Automation Engineer to take projects from concept through to validated production, designing and delivering automated cells, robotics, and PLC-controlled equipment in a regulated environment.

Automation Engineer Duties

• Design, build, and implement automated manufacturing solutions — improving safety, quality, capacity, and efficiency
• Program, troubleshoot, and optimise PLC-controlled equipment
• Design and integrate robotic systems, including Universal Robots (UR)
• Lead automation projects through concept, build, testing, validation, and handover
• Develop control architectures, electrical schematics, and functional specs
• Support IQ/OQ/PQ activities to medical device regulatory standards
• Work with Manufacturing, Quality, and Validation teams on continuous improvement

Automation Engineer Requirements

• Degree in Automation, Mechatronics, Electrical, Mechanical Engineering, or similar
• 5+ years in automation engineering within manufacturing
• Experience in medical device, pharma, life sciences, or a similarly regulated industry
• Strong PLC programming (Allen Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff, or equivalent)
• Hands‑on Universal Robots (UR) programming and integration
• Proven experience designing and building automated manufacturing cells
• Solid grounding in machine safety standards and risk assessments

Nice to have

• Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) programming and support
• Industrial vision, servo, pneumatics, and motion control
• Validation protocols (IQ/OQ/PQ), MES integration
• GMP / FDA-regulated experience
• Project management delivering automation on time and budget