Principal Engineer, Digital Support Operations

Merck; Ireland; On-site; EUR 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck's Dunboyne site seeks a Principal Engineer to lead automation and DeltaV control systems for Upstream Drug Substance manufacturing. You will be the senior DeltaV expert, shaping control strategies, batch logic, and lifecycle management while collaborating with Manufacturing, MS&T, Engineering and Quality to resolve complex issues and drive continuous improvement across four suites.

The role requires deep DeltaV experience in a regulated biopharma setting, strong troubleshooting skills, and

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Act as DeltaV technical lead for 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 the Downstream Manufacturing automation lead to align standards across the site.
• Mentor and develop automation engineers, contractors and technical team members.

Skills

DeltaV expertise

DCS programming

Process control

Batch automation

Troubleshooting

Biopharma

Stakeholder mgmt

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Engineering

Tools

DeltaV (Emerson)

Job description

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

The successful candidate will:

• 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

In order to excel in this role, you will more than likely have:

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 hea