Automation Engineer

Avantor; Hillegom; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Avantor is seeking an Automation & Controls Engineer to design, develop, test and implement automation solutions for innovative Single-Use Systems in Hillegom, Netherlands. The role involves developing PLC/HMI software, designing control architectures, validating systems, and creating detailed documentation.

Frequent quarterly travel across Europe supports commissioning, testing and customer activities. The position collaborates with Design Engineers, Quality, Suppliers and Contractors to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Automation Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 2–3 years in automation, controls engineering, or industrial software development.
• Experience in designing and implementing automation solutions for manufacturing or process environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop automation solutions for Single-Use Systems.
• Create PLC and HMI software for new product development and customer projects.
• Specify complete automation systems including hardware and software architecture.
• Design industrial control panels, starter panels, and HMI solutions.
• Develop electrical and instrumentation control system concepts and detailed designs.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation (FDS, SDS, manuals, FAT/SAT protocols, schematics).
• Ensure compliance with project requirements and engineering standards.
• Perform FAT and SAT.
• Troubleshoot automation systems and support validation activities.
• Conduct software testing, bug tracking, and issue resolution.
• Support commissioning and start-up activities at customer sites.
• Prepare automation RFQs based on URS.
• Select and specify automation components and hardware.
• Collaborate with suppliers/subcontractors on automation technologies.
• Support project costing, estimation, and quotation activities.
• Provide technical support throughout project lifecycles.
• Travel to customer sites for troubleshooting and commissioning.

Skills

PLC Programming

HMI Programming

Electrical drawings

Control system architectures

FAT & SAT

Software testing

Bug tracking

Fluent English

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Relevant technical education + experience

Tools

Siemens TIA Portal

SCADA systems

CODESYS

PROFINET

EtherCAT

Job description

Automation & Controls Engineer - Single-Use Systems

Location: Hillegom, Netherlands

Travel: Quarterly travel across Europe

About the Role

We are seeking an Automation & Controls Engineer to support the design, development, testing, and implementation of automation solutions for innovative Single-Use Systems. In this role, you will be responsible for developing PLC and HMI software, designing industrial control systems, supporting validation activities, and creating technical documentation for customer and internal projects. Working closely with Design Engineers, Quality, Suppliers, and External Contractors, you will play a key role in delivering reliable and scalable automation solutions that meet customer requirements and industry standards. This position is based in Hillegom and requires quarterly travel across Europe to support system commissioning, troubleshooting, customer acceptance testing, and technical project activities.

What You'll Be Doing

• Design and develop automation solutions for Single-Use Systems


• Create PLC and HMI software for new product development and customer-specific projects


• Specify complete automation systems, including hardware and software architecture


• Design industrial control panels, starter panels, and HMI solutions


• Develop electrical and instrumentation control system concepts and detailed designs


• Prepare and maintain technical documentation, including Functional Design Specifications (FDS), Software Design Specifications (SDS), Operation & Maintenance Manuals, FAT and SAT protocols, Electrical schematics and single-line diagrams, and review and approve vendor and subcontractor documentation


• Ensure compliance with project requirements and engineering standards


• Perform Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and Site Acceptance Tests (SAT)


• Troubleshoot automation systems and support validation activities


• Conduct software testing, bug tracking, and issue resolution


• Support commissioning and start-up activities at customer sites


• Prepare automation RFQs based on User Requirement Specifications (URS)


• Select and specify automation components and control system hardware


• Collaborate with suppliers and subcontractors to implement state-of-the-art automation technologies


• Support project costing, estimation, and quotation activities


• Provide technical support to customers throughout project lifecycles


• Travel to customer sites for troubleshooting, commissioning, and system optimization


• Build strong long-term relationships with customers and technical partners

What We're Looking For

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree (HBO) in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Software Engineering, Operational Technology, or a related field


• Alternatively, a combination of relevant technical education and practical experience


• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in automation, controls engineering, or industrial software development

Technical Skills

• PLC Programming


• HMI Programming


• Ability to create, interpret, and review electrical drawings and schematics


• Experience developing control system architectures and industrial automation solutions


• Experience with FAT, SAT, commissioning, and validation activities


• Familiarity with bug tracking and software testing methodologies

Preferred Experience

• Siemens TIA Portal


• SCADA systems


• CODESYS


• GMP and GDP Principles - Working experience in GMP environments or highly regulated industries


• Process automation environments


• Instrumentation and control systems


• Piping and tubing systems


• PIDs (Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams)


• Pneumatics and pneumatic control logic


• Communication Protocols Knowledge


• Experience with one or more of: PROFINET, Profibus, EtherCAT, Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, TCP/IP, IO-Link

Personal Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities


• Excellent communication and organizational skills


• Ability to manage multiple technical projects simultaneously


• Customer-focused mindset with strong stakeholder management skills


• Fluent English

Why Join Us?

Work on innovative automation solutions for advanced Single-Use Systems. Combine software, controls, electrical engineering, and customer-facing project work. Gain international exposure through customer projects across Europe. Be part of a collaborative engineering environment focused on innovation and continuous improvement. Contribute directly to the development of next-generation bioprocess and manufacturing technologies.

Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Company Culture

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science. The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor. We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world.

EEO Statement

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.