Senior Automation Engineer (Packaging)

Horizon Controls Group; Haarlem; On-site; EUR 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Horizon Controls Group is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer for our Haarlem facility to lead automation design, maintenance, and optimisation across production and packaging lines. You will work hands-on with PLC, HMI, SCADA systems and ensure regulatory compliance.

Ideal candidates have extensive experience in regulated manufacturing, particularly packaging automation, and a track record of delivering lifecycle improvements. Strong collaboration with cross-functional teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Automation, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in industrial automation.
• Experience in regulated manufacturing environments (pharma/biotech/food).
• Strong experience supporting automated packaging operations.
• Excellent troubleshooting across electrical, control, and automation systems.
• Experience managing automation projects from concept through commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for automation systems in manufacturing and packaging operations.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and optimise PLC, HMI, SCADA, and control systems for reliability and performance.
• Lead automation projects including upgrades, integration, commissioning, and lifecycle improvements.
• Support installation, FAT, SAT, IQ/OQ, and validation activities for new/modified equipment.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, Production, Quality, Validation, and IT/OT teams to deliver solutions.
• Develop and maintain automation standards, documentation, and change control records.
• Ensure GMP, GAMP5, data integrity, and engineering standards compliance.
• Analyse equipment performance and implement improvements to increase OEE and reduce downtime.
• Support OT cybersecurity initiatives for automation systems.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance to maintenance teams.

Skills

Automation engineering

Troubleshooting

Project management

Mentoring juniors

Education

Bachelor's degree in Automation/Electrical/Mechatronics

Tools

Beckhoff

Omron

FactoryTalk View

Ignition

Profinet

Ethernet/IP

Modbus TCP

OPC UA

Profibus

Job description

Haarlem, Netherlands | Posted on 08/07/2026

We are seeking an experienced Senior Automation Engineer to join a highly automated pharmaceutical manufacturing and packaging facility in Haarlem. This is a hands-on technical role supporting the design, maintenance, optimisation, and implementation of automation systems across production and packaging operations.

The successful candidate will have extensive experience working with a variety of automation platforms and packaging equipment within a regulated manufacturing environment. This role focuses on discrete manufacturing and packaging automation; DeltaV experience is not required.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for automation systems supporting manufacturing and packaging operations.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and optimise PLC, HMI, SCADA, and industrial control systems to maximise equipment reliability and performance.
• Lead automation projects including system upgrades, equipment integration, commissioning, and lifecycle improvements.
• Support installation, FAT, SAT, commissioning, IQ/OQ, and validation activities for new and modified equipment.
• Work closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Production, Quality, Validation, and IT/OT teams to deliver automation solutions.
• Develop and maintain automation standards, documentation, and change control records.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, GAMP5, data integrity, and company engineering standards.
• Analyse equipment performance and implement improvements to increase OEE, reduce downtime, and improve operational efficiency.
• Support industrial cybersecurity initiatives for operational technology (OT) systems.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance to maintenance and operations teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 7 years' experience in industrial automation.
• Proven experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, food, FMCG, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments.
• Strong experience supporting automated packaging operations.
• Excellent troubleshooting skills across electrical, control, and automation systems.
• Experience managing automation projects from concept through commissioning.

Technical Skills

Candidates should have experience with several of the following technologies:

PLC Platforms

• Beckhoff
• Omron

HMI & SCADA

• FactoryTalk View
• Ignition
• Other modern SCADA platforms
• Profinet
• Ethernet/IP
• Modbus TCP
• OPC UA
• Profibus

Packaging Equipment Experience

• Experience with automated packaging equipment such as:
• Bottle filling and capping systems
• Labelling equipment
• Vision inspection systems
• Serialization and aggregation systems
• Case packers
• Conveying systems
• Robotic pick-and-place applications
• Computer System Validation (CSV)
• GMP / GAMP5
• Data Integrity (ALCOA+)
• Change Control and CAPA
• FAT / SAT execution
• MES integration
• Continuous Improvement / Lean Manufacturing
• Digital manufacturing initiatives