VPE Automation C&Q Engineer

SimoTech; Limerick; On-site; EUR 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Autonomy to advance your potential

Exposure to large corporate client cap

Career development opportunities

Job summary

SimoTech is seeking a VPE C&Q Support Engineer to back a leading biotechnology client in Limerick. The role focuses on qualification activities and integration of Vendor Packaged Equipment across manufacturing and utilities, requiring 8+ years in GMP environments and hands-on Siemens PLC/SCADA expertise.

You’ll work with IT/OT, CQV, and site teams to deliver compliant, validated systems. The successful candidate will join the VPE Support Team, handling SAT, commissioning, and handover phases

Qualifications

• 8+ years of automation experience in Life Sciences GMP environments.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline.
• Hands-on experience with Siemens PLC and SCADA platforms (S7-1200, S7-1500, TIA Portal, WinCC).
• Experience coordinating with IT/OT and vendor teams during SAT, commissioning, and qualification activities.

Responsibilities

• Support integration of Vendor Packaged Equipment into site automation and OT infrastructure.
• Assist commissioning and SAT activities with vendors and site teams.
• Deploy, configure, and verify vendor SCADA applications on virtualised servers.
• Coordinate connectivity/interfaces between vendor control systems, PLCs, servers, and historian systems.
• Support Operational Verification testing, issue investigation and defect closeout.
• Manage change controls, punch lists, and documentation arising from SAT/commissioning/qualification.
• Provide troubleshooting and technical support across installation, commissioning, qualification, and handover.

Skills

Siemens PLC

SCADA platforms

Troubleshooting

Team collaboration

Networking/IT-OT

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

S7-1200

S7-1500

TIA Portal

WinCC

Virtualised SCADA

Job description

SimoTech provides manufacturing automation and IT systems engineering, project management and validation services. We partner with life sciences companies to design, build, operate and optimise critical process automation systems that deliver fast track project delivery, operational efficiency, improve manufacturing agility and achieve regulatory compliance.

SimoTech is seeking a VPE C&Q Support Engineer to support a leading biotechnology client based in Limerick.

The successful candidate will join the site Vendor Packaged Equipment (VPE) Support Team and work under the direction of the site-based VPE Engineering Manager. The role will primarily support qualification activities and new equipment integration projects across manufacturing and utility systems.

The ideal candidate will have 8+ years of automation experience within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, or other GMP-regulated industries and possess strong commissioning, qualification, troubleshooting, and systems integration experience. This role will support automation qualification activities across manufacturing operations, central utilities, and integrated OT systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Supporting the integration of Vendor Packaged Equipment systems into site automation and OT infrastructure.


• Supporting commissioning and SAT activities with vendors, project personnel, and site engineering teams.


• Deploying, configuring, and verifying vendor-specific SCADA applications on virtualised server infrastructure.


• Coordinating with IT/OT and support teams to establish, validate, and test connectivity and interfaces between vendor control systems, PLCs, virtual servers, thin clients, historian systems, DeltaV, BMS, SCADA platforms, and other site systems.


• Executing and supporting Operational Verification testing, including issue investigation and defect closeout.


• Managing change controls, punch list items, and documentation updates arising from SAT, commissioning, and qualification activities.


• Providing troubleshooting and technical support throughout installation, commissioning, qualification, and handover phases.

Key Requirements

• 8+ years of automation experience in the Life Sciences industry, with a focus on biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, or GMP-regulated manufacturing environments.


• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.


• Hands-on experience with Siemens PLC and SCADA platforms, including S7-1200, S7-1500, TIA Portal, WinCC, and associated automation hardware.


• Experience working with vendor OEM control systems, virtualised SCADA environments, and site IT/OT integration requirements.


• Experience supporting commissioning, SAT, qualification, and operational verification activities for automated manufacturing, utility, or Vendor Packaged Equipment systems.


• Working knowledge of automation industry standards, including; GAMP 5 software development lifecycle methodologies & ANSI/ISA-S88 batch control standards


• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to diagnose and resolve automation, network, interface, and qualification-related issues under project delivery pressure.


• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with vendors, Operations, CQV, IT/OT, Engineering, Quality, and other multi-disciplinary project teams.

What SimoTech Can Offer

• Role provides a high degree of autonomy to allow the successful candidate to reach their full potential.


• Develop new skills and enhance technical ability by working with innovative technologies in a multi-disciplined environment.


• Opportunity to work with large corporate clients on exciting capital projects.