Senior Specialist, Manufacturing Automation

Merck; Swords; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck in Dublin's Biotech facility is seeking an experienced Senior Automation Engineer to support reliable, compliant operation of critical automation systems and lead continuous improvement initiatives.

You will provide senior-level automation support across DeltaV, OEM and digital platforms, mentor team members, own change control, and drive project delivery in a fast-paced biopharmaceutical setting.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive automation experience in a regulated GxP environment.
• Experience delivering automation projects in line with SDLC / GAMP 5 methodologies.
• Solid working knowledge of ISA-88 and ISA-95 principles.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with ability to influence cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior automation support for manufacturing systems including DeltaV DCS, OEM systems, data historians and associated digital platforms.
• Support Launch Excellence strategy and plan/launch new products at Biotech Dublin.
• Troubleshoot complex automation and process control issues to ensure reliable operations and right-first-time performance.
• Lead automation changes from scoping through implementation and closure, ensuring delivery to schedule and quality standards.
• Review equipment specs, P&IDs, control strategies and lifecycle documents for robust, compliant design.
• Support site commissioning, qualification, validation and test execution for new/modified systems.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Validation, Engineering, IT and Digital teams on compliant automation solutions.
• Contribute to digital transformation initiatives involving system integration, data connectivity and manufacturing intelligence.

Skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Mentorship

Change management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

DeltaV DCS

Siemens PLC/SCADA

OSIsoft PI

HMI/SCADA

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Senior Automation Engineer to join our Digital Manufacturing Operations (DMO) team at our Biotech Dublin facility. In this role, you will support the reliable, compliant and efficient operation of critical automation systems used to manufacture biologics, while also contributing to continuous improvement and launch excellence projects that enhance our manufacturing performance and production capabilities.

Working under the guidance of the DMO Area Lead you will provide senior-level automation support across DeltaV, OEM and digital manufacturing systems, combining hands‑on troubleshooting with technical leadership, team mentoring, change control ownership, continuous improvement and project delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior automation support for manufacturing systems including DeltaV DCS, OEM systems, data historians and associated digital platforms
• Support the site Launch Excellence strategy, supporting the planning, implementation, and launch of new products at Biotech Dublin
• Troubleshoot complex automation and process control issues to support reliable manufacturing operations, deviation resolution and right-first-time performance
• Lead and support automation changes from scoping through implementation and closure, ensuring delivery to schedule and in line with site quality standards
• Review equipment specifications, P&IDs, control strategies and system lifecycle documentation to ensure robust and compliant automation design
• Support site commissioning, qualification, validation and test execution activities for new and modified automation systems
• Collaborate with Manufacturing operations, Quality, Validation, Engineering, IT and Digital teams to deliver compliant, value-focused automation solutions
• Contribute to digital transformation initiatives involving system integration, data connectivity, manufacturing intelligence and process optimisation
• Act as a technical role model within a high-performing team, sharing knowledge and supporting a culture of safety, compliance, inclusion and continuous improvement

Required Skills

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Automation, Computer Science or a related technical discipline (or equivalent practical industry experience)
• Experience: 5+ years of progressive automation or process control experience in a regulated GxP environment (biopharmaceuticals, pharmaceuticals or medical devices)
• Core Systems: Proven technical proficiency with distributed control systems (Emerson DeltaV DCS) and industrial PLC/HMI/SCADA platforms (e.g., Siemens)
• Historians: Practical working experience with manufacturing data historians (e.g., OSIsoft PI)
• Validation & Standards: Demonstrated experience delivering automation projects in alignment with SDLC / GAMP 5 methodologies, alongside a solid working knowledge of ISA-88 and ISA-95 principles
• Collaboration & Communication: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to influence, collaborate, and explain complex technical concepts across cross-functional teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with shop-floor digital integrations (e.g., MES, ERP interfaces, IoT smart sensors)
• Familiarity with industrial network architectures, server virtualization, and cybersecurity fundamentals
• Prior experience supporting regulatory agency audits or health authority inspections (e.g., HPRA, FDA)
• Experience conducting business value or continuous improvement analysis (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, MPS)

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.

We are committed to flexible working where possible, and this is why our Company has introduced a new hybrid working model for office-based colleagues around the world.

Required Skills

• Change Controls, Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA), Deviation Investigations, Emerson DeltaV, Historian (Software), Launch Readiness, Leadership, Mentorship, New Product Introduction (NPI)