Junior IT OT Automation Engineer

Simotechnology; Athlone; On-site; EUR 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Autonomy

Skill development

Large client projects

Job summary

SimoTech is seeking a Junior Automation Engineer (IT/OT) to support the ramp-up of a major greenfield expansion within a pharmaceutical OSD site. The role spans enterprise IT systems and OT environments across PLC/SCADA, Ignition, ThinManager, AVEVA PI, VPE-managed equipment, and related automation systems.

The successful candidate will gain hands-on experience in automation, IT/OT integration, cybersecurity, compliance, and project delivery under senior engineers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Automation, Electrical, Electronic, Computer, IT, Engineering, or related field.
• 1–2 years’ experience in IT and/or OT environments, preferably in manufacturing automation or plant systems.
• Awareness of regulated environments and governance processes is desirable.
• Familiarity with PLC/SCADA systems and MES solutions (e.g., PAS-X) is desirable.
• Strong teamwork, communication, and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in Work Package Ownership covering scope, schedule, documentation, and status tracking for IT/OT deliverables.
• Coordinate between engineering, operations, maintenance, IT security, vendors, and integrators for aligned project delivery.
• Contribute to requirements gathering and solution design for OT systems such as PLC/SCADA/DCS, historians, MES, and OT networks.
• Help ensure compliance and safety protocols, including change control and operational readiness processes.
• Assist with vendor and procurement processes such as drafting inputs for statements of work and delivery milestones.
• Participate in testing and commissioning activities (FAT/SAT), user acceptance tests, and handover.

Skills

IT/OT experience

Teamwork

Communication skills

Documentation

Regulated environments awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Automation/Electrical/Electronic/Computer/IT/Engineering

Tools

Siemens PLC/SCADA

Ignition

ThinManager

AVEVA PI

PAS-X

Job description

SimoTech provides manufacturing automation andIT systems engineering, project management and validation services. We partnerwith life sciences companies to design, build, operate and optimise criticalprocess automation systems that deliver fast track project delivery,operational efficiency, improve manufacturing agility and achieve regulatorycompliance.

Why SimoTech

What is it like to work at SimoTech? With astrong collaborative teamwork culture based on respect, trust and excellence,we play a critical partnering role to our clients’ life-changing supply ofproducts to patients. In return, there is excellent salary, benefits, careerprogression, educational support and much more.

SimoTech is seeking a JuniorAutomation Engineer (IT/OT) to support the ramp-up of a major greenfieldexpansion within a pharmaceutical Oral Solid Dose (OSD) manufacturing site.

The successful candidate willsupport the delivery of projects that span enterprise IT systems andOperational Technology (OT) environments across PLC/SCADA, (Siemens),eSCADA (Ignition), ThinManager, AVEVA PI,VPE-managed equipment, and associated automation systems.

This role offers an excitingopportunity to build hands-on experience in automation, IT/OT integration,cybersecurity, compliance, and project delivery under the guidance of seniorengineers.

Requirements

KeyResponsibilities

• Assist in Work PackageOwnership activities covering scope, schedule, documentation, and statustracking for IT/OT deliverables.
  
• Support coordination betweenengineering, operations, maintenance, IT security, vendors, and integrators toenable aligned project delivery.
  
• Contribute to requirementsgathering and solution design for OT systems such as PLC/SCADA/DCS, historians,MES, and OT networks.
  
• Help ensure compliance andsafety protocols are adhered to, including change control and operationalreadiness processes.
  
• Assist with vendor andprocurement processes such as drafting inputs for statements of work,acceptance criteria, and delivery milestones.
  
• Participate in testing andcommissioning activities (FAT/SAT), user acceptance tests, documentationreview, training support, and final handover.
  
• Capture governance inputs suchas actions, risks, issues, lessons learned, and maintain up to date projectdocumentation.
  

Key Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification inAutomation, Electrical, Electronic, Computer, IT, Engineering, or a relatedtechnical field.
  
• 1–2 years’ experience in IT and/or OT environments,preferably in manufacturing automation or plant systems.
  
• Basic knowledge of project delivery methodologies,documentation standards, and governance processes.
  
• Awareness of regulated environments and frameworkssuch as GAMP, commissioning, validation, and operational readiness isdesirable.
  
• Strong teamwork, communication, and documentationskills.
  
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and eager to learn ina fast-paced environment.
  
• Familiarity with PLC/SCADA systems such as Siemens orSchneider, and exposure to MES solutions (e.g., PAS-X), Ignition, ThinManager,or Aveva PI is considered desirable.
  
• Awareness of Active Directory, IT networkingprinciples, and integration concepts in OT environments is considereddesirable.
  
• Basic understanding of ITIL processes related toproject and service delivery (ServiceNow experience is an advantageDemonstratesproven leadership ability, excellent interpersonal and communication skills,and robust project experience is considered desirable

What SimoTech CanOffer

• Role provides a high degree of autonomy to allow the successfulcandidate to reach their full potential.
  
• Develop new skills and enhance technical ability by working withinnovative technologies in a multi-disciplined environment.
  
• Opportunity to work with large corporate clients on exciting capitalprojects.