Senior IT/OT Automation Engineer

eir business talent; Roscommon; On-site; EUR 96,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

eir business talent in Athlone seeks a Senior IT/OT Automation Engineer to lead planning and delivery of complex IT/OT projects spanning enterprise IT systems and plant networks.

You will own end-to-end work packages, coordinate with engineering, operations, IT security, vendors and system integrators, ensure safety, cybersecurity and quality, and mentor junior engineers. This is a long-term, fully on-site contract at 40 hours per week.

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering IT/OT projects with complex interfaces.
• Strong governance, controls, reporting, risk management skills.
• Experience leading stakeholder management including senior leadership.
• Experience in Pharma lifecycle processes, FDA-regulated environments, GAMP, change management.
• Excellent documentation, facilitation, communication, leadership, and problem solving.
• Detail oriented and able to work independently, influencing across functions.

Responsibilities

• Lead Work Package Ownership for end-to-end delivery of IT/OT projects.
• Coordinate with engineering, operations, IT security, vendors, and system integrators.
• Lead requirements gathering and solution design for OT systems (PLC/SCADA/DCS, historian, MES, OT networking).
• Ensure safety, cybersecurity, and quality requirements are embedded throughout delivery.
• Manage procurement and vendor performance, including SOWs and milestones.
• Lead testing and commissioning activities (FAT/SAT, UAT, training, handover).
• Run governance routines (steering committees, cadence, risk reviews, lessons learned).
• Mentor Automation engineers and provide technical guidance to teams.

Skills

IT/OT integration

SCADA/PLC

Project governance

Stakeholder management

Documentation

Leadership

Cybersecurity awareness

Tools

Siemens PLC

Schneider PLC

Ignition

Aveva PI

PAS-X

Active Directory

ServiceNow

Job description

Senior IT/OT Automation Engineer

• Long term multi-year, hourly Rate Contract
• Athlone based client
• Fully on site
• 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Introduction to Role:

The Senior Automation Engineer (IT/OT) is responsible for leading the planning and delivery of complex projects that span enterprise IT systems and Operational Technology (OT) environments, including industrial control systems and plant networks.

KEY AREAS OF JOB ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Lead Work Package Ownership for end-to-end delivery of significant IT/OT projects from initiation through handover, including scope, schedule, budget, resources, risks, dependencies, and benefits realization.
• Drive coordination with engineering, operations, maintenance, IT security and infrastructure, vendors, and system integrators to align objectives, resolve delivery issues, and maintain clear execution plans.
• Lead requirements gathering and provide solution design oversight for OT systems such as PLC/SCADA/DCS, historian, MES, OT networking, and related IT integrations including enterprise applications, cloud/edge, and data platforms.
• Ensure safety, compliance, cybersecurity, and quality requirements are embedded throughout delivery, including change control, permit-to-work, site access, commissioning, cutover, and operational readiness.
• Manage procurement and vendor performance, including statements of work, acceptance criteria, delivery milestones, technical review, commercial change control, and escalation of delivery risks.
• Lead testing and commissioning activities such as FAT/SAT, user acceptance testing, documentation generation, review and approval, training, and structured handover to support teams.
• Run governance routines where required, including steering committee inputs, daily or weekly execution cadences, risk and issue reviews, and continuous improvement through lessons learned.
• Mentor other Automation and Junior Automation engineers and provide technical guidance to project teams to improve delivery quality, documentation standards, and knowledge transfer.

Required qualifications:

• Proven experience independently delivering projects in IT and/or OT environments, ideally involving complex interfaces such as plant networking, SCADA installations or upgrades, FMS/BMS deployments, data integration, process equipment deployment, and system integration.
• Strong understanding of project delivery methodologies and proven practical application of governance, controls, reporting, risk management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience leading stakeholder management across technical, quality, operational, vendor, and leadership groups, including clear communication to senior leadership.
• Strong experience of Pharma lifecycle processes, FDA regulated environments, GAMP, change management, commissioning, cutover, and operational readiness.
• Excellent documentation, facilitation, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Must be detail oriented, self-motivating, able to work independently, and capable of influencing across functions.

Preferred qualifications:

• Hardware/Software: Strong experience with PLC and SCADA systems such as Siemens or Schneider, Computerised Equipment, Ignition, ThinManager, Aveva PI, and similar Manufacturing Solution Applications.
• Experience with MES solutions such as PAS-X is an advantage.
• Working knowledge of Active Directory application design, implementation, and integration with manufacturing or OT systems.
• Knowledge of ITIL processes relating to Project and Service Delivery, including ServiceNow, with experience applying these processes in a project environment.
• Minimum 5-8 years' relevant experience.

REF: EBT8320

Candidates must be eligible to work full time and long term in the location specified or currently hold a valid appropriate long term work Visa to apply.

eirbusinesstalent, eir business and our clients are equal opportunity employers who seeks to recruit and appoint the best available person for a job regardless of marital / civil partnership status, sex (including pregnancy), age, religion, belief, race, nationality and ethnic or national origin, colour, sexual orientation or disability. eirbusiness talent, eirbusiness and our clients apply all relevant Data Protection laws when processing your Personal Data.