Senior Automation Engineer – IT/OT

European Tech Recruit; Athlone; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

European Tech Recruit is seeking multiple Senior Automation Engineers (IT/OT) to support a major greenfield expansion within a pharmaceutical OS&D manufacturing facility in Ireland. You will own IT/OT and automation work packages across PLC/SCADA, Siemens, Ignition, and AVEVA PI, driving design, implementation, integration, commissioning and readiness.

Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Validation, Quality, Cybersecurity, IT, vendors and integrators; ensure GMP, GAMP, cybersecurity and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Automation, Control Systems, Computer Science, IT, or a related discipline.
• 5–8+ years delivering Automation and/or IT/OT projects.
• Experience in regulated manufacturing (pharma or life sciences).
• Proven track record from design to handover of projects.
• Strong PLC and SCADA experience, Siemens or Schneider.
• Experience with Ignition, ThinManager or AVEVA PI.
• Knowledge of GMP, GAMP and computer-system lifecycle management.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage vendors.

Responsibilities

• Own IT/OT and Automation work packages from initiation through commissioning.
• Manage scope, schedule, risks, resources and deliverables.
• Lead design, implementation and integration of automation/OT solutions.
• Define technical requirements across PLC, SCADA, DCS, MES, OT networks.
• Provide ownership across Siemens, Ignition, ThinManager and AVEVA PI.
• Coordinate engineering, IT infrastructure, Cybersecurity, QA, vendors and system integrators.
• Ensure GMP, GAMP, cybersecurity and change-control compliance.
• Lead FAT, SAT, UAT, commissioning and documentation review.
• Ensure handover to manufacturing operations and lifecycle support.
• Mentor junior automation engineers.

Skills

Automation

Control Systems

IT/OT

Project Management

Vendor coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Automation, Control Systems, Computer Science, IT, Engineering

Tools

Siemens

Ignition

ThinManager

AVEVA PI

Job description

Senior Automation Engineer - IT/OT

Location: Ireland

Employment Type: Contract

Industry: Pharmaceutical / Life Sciences

Project: Major Greenfield Manufacturing Expansion

The Opportunity

We are currently recruiting multiple Senior Automation Engineers (IT/OT) to support the ramp-up of a major greenfield expansion within a pharmaceutical Oral Solid Dose (OSD) manufacturing facility.

These positions will take technical ownership of key automation and digital technology areas across PLC/SCADA, Siemens, Ignition eSCADA, ThinManager, AVEVA PI, VPE-managed equipment and associated IT/OT systems.

Working within a multidisciplinary project environment, you will be responsible for the design, implementation, integration, commissioning and operational readiness of your assigned technology area.

The positions offer significant technical ownership and will involve close collaboration with Manufacturing, Engineering, Validation, Quality, Cybersecurity, IT, vendors and system integrators.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of major IT/OT and Automation work packages from project initiation through commissioning and operational handover.
• Manage project scope, schedule, technical risks, resources and key deliverables.
• Lead the design, implementation and integration of automation and OT solutions.
• Define and review technical requirements across PLC, SCADA, DCS, historians, MES, OT networks and IT/OT integrations.
• Provide technical ownership across technologies including Siemens, Ignition, ThinManager and AVEVA PI.
• Coordinate engineering teams, IT infrastructure, Cybersecurity, QA, vendors and system integrators.
• Ensure systems are delivered in accordance with GMP, GAMP, cybersecurity and change-control requirements.
• Manage vendors, including Statements of Work, technical deliverables, acceptance criteria and project milestones.
• Lead and support FAT, SAT, UAT, commissioning, testing and documentation review.
• Ensure structured handover of systems into manufacturing operations and lifecycle support.
• Identify and manage technical/project risks and support troubleshooting throughout project delivery.
• Support project governance, steering meetings, risk reviews and progress reporting.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior and intermediate Automation Engineers.

Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Automation, Control Systems, Computer Science, IT, Engineering or a related discipline.
• 5-8+ years' experience delivering Automation and/or IT/OT projects.
• Strong experience within pharmaceutical, life sciences or another regulated manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrable experience delivering projects from design through implementation, commissioning and handover.
• Strong PLC and SCADA experience, particularly Siemens or Schneider.
• Experience with at least one of the following:
• Ignition
• ThinManager
• AVEVA PI
• Strong understanding of GMP, GAMP and computer-system lifecycle management.
• Experience coordinating vendors, system integrators and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong technical troubleshooting, documentation and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to take ownership of a technical workstream and operate independently within a major capital-project environment.

Desirable Experience

Experience with any of the following would be particularly advantageous:

Active Directory | ServiceNow | ITIL | OT Networking | Cybersecurity | MES | Historians | Cloud/Edge Integration | Enterprise IT/OT Integration

This is an excellent opportunity for experienced Automation/IT/OT Engineers to take significant technical ownership within a major greenfield pharmaceutical expansion, working with modern automation and digital manufacturing technologies.