The Opportunity
The Senior Automation Platform Engineer is responsible for the implementation, maintenance, support, and continuous improvement of manufacturing automation systems, including MES, PCS/DCS, and PLC platforms. This role owns process recipes and system configurations within the assigned manufacturing value stream, ensuring alignment with global standards, regulatory requirements, and manufacturing execution strategies while supporting both new and legacy systems.
As a technical subject matter expert, the Senior Automation Platform Engineer provides leadership and support across the lifecycle of capital and operational projects, including design, commissioning, validation, and ongoing operations. The role collaborates with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable and compliant automation solutions, drive process improvements, resolve system incidents, and provide on-call operational support to maximize manufacturing efficiency, system performance, and facility uptime.
The Role
Responsible for technical installation and setup, account administration, maintenance, reliability, performance and compliance of our industrial automation platforms (PCS, MES, PLC, SCADA) and associated interfaces.
Responsible for the ongoing improvements, upgrades, support and maintenance of the systems including windows server administration, system virtualisation support, Hotfix and patch deployment for locally hosted platforms which include Siemens PCS 7, Siemens, JAG, Schneider and others.
Life cycle support for automation control systems infrastructure including technical support for projects, operational support (including after hours support) and continual improvement initiatives.
System owner and system administrator and will work in close partnership with the IT infrastructure team to deliver a seamless, integrated, compliant and holistic framework for control system platform management and administration.
Drive technical alignment between different GxP control system platforms by ensuring system configuration, access and maintenance standards are aligned including interfaces with historian and business systems (SAP, LIMS, etc).
Required Skills and Experience
5 years or more working experience in Automation design and support.
Proven experience in the design, development, installation, commissioning and/or servicing of information technology and automation process control systems.
Strong knowledge of Microsoft Windows Server Administration, Server Virtualisation, Thin Clients, System backup, archiving and recovery, System networking including DNS, SMTP, NTP, vLAN, Network Switches / Routers and Firewalls.
Demonstrated capability for maintenance and compliance support of complex and integrated control systems from initial development through operation of the facility.
Degree in the discipline of Computer Science; Mechatronics; Computer Systems Engineering or a similar field with a focus on controls, automation or IT.
Pharmaceutical experience and a good knowledge of GMP principles is desirable
Experience in Siemens PCS 7, Siemens Opcenter or JAG control systems would be beneficial.
