Principal Engineer, Digital Support Operations

MSD Malaysia; Dunboyne; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

MSD Malaysia is seeking a Principal Engineer to provide technical leadership for automation and process control systems at our Dunboyne site. You will serve as the site’s senior DeltaV expert for Upstream operations, guiding batch automation, deltaV programming, and system optimisation within a GMP-regulated biopharma environment.

You will mentor automation engineers, collaborate with MS&T, Engineering and Quality teams, and drive continuous improvement across four Drug Substance suites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Automation, Electrical, Chemical, Process Engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of automation experience in pharma/biotech/life sciences manufacturing.
• Significant experience supporting DeltaV-based manufacturing environments.
• Experience developing and maintaining batch automation and process control strategies.

Responsibilities

• Act as technical lead for DeltaV automation systems supporting Upstream Manufacturing operations.
• Provide advanced DeltaV programming, configuration, troubleshooting and system optimisation support.
• Lead technical investigations into manufacturing, process control and automation-related issues.
• Design, develop, test and implement DeltaV control strategy and batch logic changes.
• Support manufacturing operations through rapid issue resolution and performance improvement initiatives.
• Partner with Manufacturing, MS&T and Engineering teams to optimise process control strategies and improve operational reliability.
• Support automation aspects of new product introductions, technology transfers and process improvements.
• Drive continuous improvement through automation enhancements, standardisation and data-driven problem solving.
• Support commissioning, qualification, validation and lifecycle management activities for automation systems.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, quality and change management requirements.
• Collaborate with Downstream Manufacturing automation lead to align standards, best practices and technical solutions across the site.
• Mentor and develop automation engineers, contractors and technical team members.

Skills

Emerson DeltaV DCS

DeltaV programming

Process control principles

Batch automation

Troubleshooting

Root cause investigation

Stakeholder management

Technical leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering

Automation/Electrical/Chemical/Process engineering

Tools

DeltaV

Job description

Our Dunboyne site is seeking an experienced Principal Engineer to provide technical leadership for automation and process control systems supporting Upstream Drug Substance Manufacturing.

The successful candidate will serve as the site's senior DeltaV technical expert for Upstream operations, supporting manufacturing performance across four Drug Substance manufacturing suites. This role requires deep expertise in Emerson DeltaV Distributed Control Systems (DCS), process control strategies, batch automation, troubleshooting and system optimisation within a regulated biopharmaceutical manufacturing environment. Working closely with Manufacturing, MS&T, Engineering, Quality and Digital teams, the Principal Engineer will play a critical role in resolving complex manufacturing issues, implementing continuous improvement initiatives and supporting new product introductions. The role will also partner closely with the equivalent Downstream Manufacturing support lead to drive standardisation, knowledge sharing and alignment of automation practices across the site. This position is ideally suited to a highly technical automation professional who combines strong DeltaV programming expertise with a deep understanding of Drug Substance manufacturing processes. Bring energy, knowledge, innovation to carry out the following:

• Serve as the technical lead for DeltaV automation systems supporting Upstream Manufacturing operations.
• Provide advanced DeltaV programming, configuration, troubleshooting and system optimisation support.
• Lead technical investigations into manufacturing, process control and automation-related issues.
• Design, develop, test and implement DeltaV control strategy and batch logic changes.
• Support manufacturing operations through rapid issue resolution and performance improvement initiatives.
• Partner with Manufacturing, MS&T and Engineering teams to optimise process control strategies and improve operational reliability.
• Support automation aspects of new product introductions, technology transfers and process improvements.
• Drive continuous improvement through automation enhancements, standardisation and data-driven problem solving.
• Support commissioning, qualification, validation and lifecycle management activities for automation systems.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, quality and change management requirements.
• Collaborate closely with the Downstream Manufacturing automation lead to align standards, best practices and technical solutions across the site.
• Mentor and develop automation engineers, contractors and technical team members.

What success looks like

• Act as the site's recognised Upstream DeltaV Subject Matter Expert.
• Improve manufacturing reliability and process robustness through effective automation support.
• Deliver high-quality DeltaV solutions that enable operational excellence and right-first-time performance.
• Support successful implementation of continuous improvement initiatives and future product introductions.
• Partner effectively with the Downstream Manufacturing support lead to establish consistent automation standards across all four Drug Substance manufacturing suites.

What skills you will need

Essential skills:

• Expert knowledge of Emerson DeltaV Distributed Control Systems.
• Advanced DeltaV programming and configuration experience.
• Strong understanding of process control principles, batch automation, interlocks, alarm management and control strategies.
• Deep understanding of Drug Substance manufacturing operations.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex manufacturing and automation issues.
• Strong analytical and root cause investigation skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and influence cross-functional stakeholders.

Desirable skills:

• Experience supporting both upstream and downstream bioprocessing operations.
• Knowledge of advanced process control and digital manufacturing technologies.
• DeltaV certification or equivalent experience.

Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering, Automation, Electrical, Chemical, Process Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of automation experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences manufacturing.
• Significant experience supporting DeltaV-based manufacturing environments.
• Experience developing and maintaining batch automation and process control strategies.
• Proven experience supporting Drug Substance manufacturing operations within a GMP-regulated environment.
• Demonstrated success delivering automation improvements that enhance manufacturing performance, reliability and compliance.
• Experience supporting technology transfers, process improvements and new product introductions.

We keep the patient at the very heart of all that we do and strive to find solutions and treatments for some of the world's most challenging healthcare needs.

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

Required Skills

• Audit Management
• Automated Manufacturing Systems
• Business Process Improvements
• Continuous Development
• Data Management
• Digital Adoption
• Digital Manufacturing
• Manufacturing Environments
• Operational Technology (OT)
• Problem Management
• Project Manufacturing
• Quality Management
• Real-Time Programming
• Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Stakeholder Management
• Technical Leadership
• Technical Solutions

Our company is a global health care leader with a diversified portfolio of prescription medicines, vaccines and animal health products. The difference between potential and achievement lies in the spark that fuels innovation and inventiveness; this is the space where we have codified our legacy for over a century.